9 Year Old Tires
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I bought a 10-yr-old Vette in '99 and ran the original gatorbacks for another 6K. (They had 14K on them when I bought it, 20K when I pulled them off -- with good tread still on them).
I tried new tires to see if the grip would improve. It only improved slightly. However, I think the Nitto Z500s I bought may not have been the best performer on the block. Recently, I bought Sumitomos and see more of a difference. (I can only imagine what a higher quality tire would do).
If you don't go crazy, drive mostly in dry weather, and the tires have been inside (and don't have visible dry rot), you're not really pushing structural issues. Certainly, if a belt separated, you'd feel a vibration and should check it out. Or, you may have a flat spot. If the gripping is awful, just replace them. Otherwise, if they balance out and drive vibration free, go ahead and get more life out of them. Actually, they may last longer now -- because the rubber will have gotten harder.
OTOH, if you wan't the best performance and like pushing your car, buy new. (And, there are buyer's in the FS Forum that will take them off your hands)!
gp
I tried new tires to see if the grip would improve. It only improved slightly. However, I think the Nitto Z500s I bought may not have been the best performer on the block. Recently, I bought Sumitomos and see more of a difference. (I can only imagine what a higher quality tire would do).
If you don't go crazy, drive mostly in dry weather, and the tires have been inside (and don't have visible dry rot), you're not really pushing structural issues. Certainly, if a belt separated, you'd feel a vibration and should check it out. Or, you may have a flat spot. If the gripping is awful, just replace them. Otherwise, if they balance out and drive vibration free, go ahead and get more life out of them. Actually, they may last longer now -- because the rubber will have gotten harder.
OTOH, if you wan't the best performance and like pushing your car, buy new. (And, there are buyer's in the FS Forum that will take them off your hands)!
gp
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 26
From: Somewhere nowhere
Ford is now covering their butts by saying 6 years on their website.
I say you inspect the tire and make a judgement on your usage factor.
If your running hard, or running in the rain, then you know what to do.
if your a sunday cruiser, I wouldn't worry too much.
I say you inspect the tire and make a judgement on your usage factor.
If your running hard, or running in the rain, then you know what to do.
if your a sunday cruiser, I wouldn't worry too much.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 0
From: MANDEVILLE, LA La
Originally Posted by larryfs
Ford is now covering their butts by saying 6 years on their website.
I say you inspect the tire and make a judgement on your usage factor.
If your running hard, or running in the rain, then you know what to do.
if your a sunday cruiser, I wouldn't worry too much.
I say you inspect the tire and make a judgement on your usage factor.
If your running hard, or running in the rain, then you know what to do.
if your a sunday cruiser, I wouldn't worry too much.
I did have my Goodyear guy look at them. He said not to worry just don't go over 135 MPH....Kidden'...I'll keep her under 80.
Thanx Again
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Originally Posted by CAJUN C4
I did have my Goodyear guy look at them.
BTW that is right, it is Ford who has already instituted the 6 year recommendation..........the others are expected to follow....
Does this obviously untrained Goodyear rep guarantee you won't encounter some unforseen situation, like a child darting into the street , where stopping distance might determine the difference between a life or death........you need good tires on the car ALL of the time not just some of the time!!!!!!
or tell me I am wrong, what did the Goodyear guy do to determine YOUR tires are ok????????????
BTW I base my comments largely on my experience with the Gaterbacks on my 89 Vette......new you could go full throttle with little or no spin on most surfaces.......by 96 when I traded her in I could spin the tires at will....even at 20 mph!!!!! Still bone stock L98.....difference original tires, still with plenty of tread depth, but rock hard......they probably would have never worn out the compound had become so hard, but NO traction........wet pavement=white knuckles...
Last edited by LT4BUD; Jun 7, 2005 at 01:08 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Structural integrity will not be as large a problem as traction is.
If you are willing to give up some performance, the old tires will not come apart because of age alone.
Larry
code5coupe
If you are willing to give up some performance, the old tires will not come apart because of age alone.
Larry
code5coupe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
[QUOTE=larryfs]Ford is now covering their butts by saying 6 years on their website.
Ford has a reason to be gunshy: remember the little incident with the Explorer SUVs
Ford has a reason to be gunshy: remember the little incident with the Explorer SUVs
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
A Michlen rep looked over my 8 year old tires and was amazed at the lack of weather checking. After confirming with the "home office" he stated that Michlen was no longer liable for tires older than four years. Also that driving at speeds above 80MPH should be considered unsafe for these tires.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Oxford Michigan
I replaced my 10 year old Goodyear GSC's today with new Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's. I still had good tread on the GSC's. I am very happy with the results. The car has been transformed. The ride, handling, and noise have all improved. I would recommend replacement. It really makes the car more enjoyable to drive.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Cicero, IN "Change is inevitable, except from vending machines"
Originally Posted by Lagoonatic
I replaced my 10 year old Goodyear GSC's today with new Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's. I still had good tread on the GSC's. I am very happy with the results. The car has been transformed. The ride, handling, and noise have all improved. I would recommend replacement. It really makes the car more enjoyable to drive.
