My '84 still has the original Goodyear Eagles P255/50VR16's (5400 miles). The tires still appear to be in excellent condition. A reader in another post suggested that even though they may look like new, dry rot may still be a problem. May I get some more opinions on this?. If I replace them, wouldn't it be best to stick to the original tires. I didn't see the VR16's, but did see ZR16's on Goodyears web site. Thanks.

 

Even if the tires look like new, if they're 22 years old, the compound has surely hardened considerably. You'll probably notice a significant improvement in traction by replacing them. If originality is an issue, hang onto the original tires.

I have the Michelin Pilot Sports on my C4, and I'm very happy with them. They're quiet, and traction is excellent for street duty.

Be well,

SJW

 

I don't think the VR16s are any longer produced. I would replace those tires because as stated above even though they look fine they are dry rotted by now.

 

This is the only way to look at the issue intellegently.

Dry rot only affects wood.
Rubber may ozone-crack, but that does not affect structural integrity, since a tire's strength comes from the steel and fabric used in its construction, not from the rubber.

Twenty-two year old tires are not necessarily in danger of imminent failure, but they cannot possibly perform up to the standards of a new, modern tire.
I'd change 'em.

Larry
code5coupe

 

Their condition depends TOTALLY on how they've been stored over the years. If the car has been kept almost entirely in a dry garage out of the sunlight, they may very well be okay. It is heat and sunlight that cause the kind of hardening and deterioration that people have been telling you about.

Good luck,

 

Thanks. Any suggestions as to what tires to buy as replacements?

 

The latest issue of Car and Driver magazine has a great tire test. With the information found there, you should be able to make a good choice.

Larry
code5coupe

 

Replacements depend on when and where you drive your caar. I live in Seattle, and needed a tire that is good in the rain and does not track grooves in the road. Ended up buying Firestore Firehawks. Love them.

Go to tirerack.com and they have tons of ratings and reviews.
It's how I decided on my tires (but bought them locally).

 

Two things come to mind, BB. First, even if you drive that car at 5mph to the corner, if all 4 tires blew out on you, you couldn't blame the tires. Others may not think so, but your car is definitely rolling on borrowed time with those tires. Take 'em off, save 'em, put 'em on your garage wall as relics or antiques or "Original Stock".

Second, buy the best tires you can afford. If you think about it, nothing else on the car keeps you in contact with the road---just four, little patches of rubber. And I do mean little; if you measured it, the total of all four tire contacts would be a little more than a piece of 8 1/2x11 paper. You can cheap out on it, but frankly, I'd rather cheap out on a floormat than a tire. That's just me.

Finally, rather than rely on our personal preferences re tires to get, you might like to search through here for "tires". There's been lots of commentary in both the General C4 and Technical sections. And you can always go to the tires forum on CF and send a pm or em to Luke who sponsors that forum for tirerack. It's pretty unbiased info and adivce he'll give you. Of course, he'd like to sell you some tires, but he knows his recommendation may allow you to "shop it" somewhere else. Kind of chintzy but it does happen.

Good luck and do get some new tires. Soon, plz.

 

-
BFGoodrich- THE BEST ROUTE, good tire & moderately priced
what size tire- you will have to see if they make them for your size..

they have three mains that i like
KD - max perf summer - dry
KDW - max perf summer - dry/wet
KDWS - max perf all season - dry/wet/snow

d=dry,w=wet,s=snow,k=??

from experience i like the KDW and KDWS

the KD wears pretty fast if you are spirited as they are SUPER soft.
BUT seeing as your car is a garage queen i would not believe you need this soft of tire-unless you drive HARD

the KDWS will give BEST life but they arent "as" soft as KDW- still a good tire- I Use and have the KDWS on my car currently

-Kevin

pm if you have Q's!

 

the original 285/40-17 GS-C's for my 96' that were discontinued years ago are about $370 A PIECE!!!!- and the NEW unused tires are 8-10 year old tires!!!!

I bought BFGoodrich for 176 in store and they have them at tire rack for 152.

THEY ARE A MUCH BETTER TIRE FOR ALMOST 1/3 THE PRICE!!!!

 

Im shoping for tires as well now but there are many choices out there, First thing is you need new tires.

If your on a budget you can still get decent tires.

check the tire rack and look aver what you need.

I know a excelet dry and wet weather tire is the Goodyear GSD3's I am thinking about getting another set but im torn on price since I really need to purchase 3 pairs of tires in the near future

 

The Michelins that came on my 86 were 8 years old. No cracks, dry rot etc. I spoke to the Michelin rep at last years National Corvette Convention in Las Vegas. He was very specific and made a call to his tech services to confirm the following. Any tire older than 6 years should not be run on the road beyond the legal maximum speed limit. Which is 65 MPH if your watching. He also indicated that Michelin would not be held legally responsible in the event of an accident for old tires. (+6 years)

Most sancioned racing events will not allow tires older than 4 years.

So why take a chance? Replaced those tires with fresh ones and remember that one of the most important parts of the car is the contact with the road.

 

Dont forget that when tires set for a while they will get "flat spots" on them.

 

Rubber cracking lets oxygen and water vapor into the tire's steel and fabric cords. They don't rot, they oxidize. For the steel that is rust, for the fabric, that is chemical changes that decrease strength. The tires are in imminent danger after 22 years, and so are you if you drive on them.

The rubber changes from aging that result in poor traction can occur in only two or three years. Ask people who have used racing tires that get hard only after a season or two, if they haven't used up the tread by then.

For your safety, the safety of other drivers, and for keeping an older Vette still out of the scrap yard, get new tires. They are the only thing that keeps the Vette on the road.

Save the old tires for shows, if you must, but surely don't drive on them.

The latest tire aging tests that NHTSA is doing are really eye-opening. I was there when they started getting the data in. It should be published early next year about this overlooked safety issue.