Tire questions
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Bozeman MT
Tire questions
OK - I recently bought a 1992 Vette with just 15000 miles on her. I believe the original tires are on her. The front tires are a bit worn on the turning edges, and I wonder if they've ever been rotated.
I have four questions:
1 - should I rotate the tires so the better tires are on the front?
2- should I consider new tires - after all they are now 20 years old? If so, what would you say are the best tires for function and price?
3 - are the originals worth anything on the market?
4- should I just drive them until they drop?
Thanks.
I have four questions:
1 - should I rotate the tires so the better tires are on the front?
2- should I consider new tires - after all they are now 20 years old? If so, what would you say are the best tires for function and price?
3 - are the originals worth anything on the market?
4- should I just drive them until they drop?
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 111
get new tires, they aren't worth anything at all (not to me anyway, or anyone who cares about safety)....rotating nearly 20 year old tires is not worth the hastle since they would be near dry rotted ......if they are the originals, of course.....
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: El Paso TX
Since 2000, the week and year the tire was produced has been provided by the last four digits of the Tire Identification Number with the 2 digits being used to identify the week immediately preceding the 2 digits used to identify the year.
The Tire Identification Number for tires produced prior to 2000 was based on the assumption that tires would not be in service for ten years. While they were required to provided the same information as today’s tires, the week and year the tire was produced was contained in the last three digits. The 2 digits used to identify the week a tire was manufactured immediately preceded a single digit used to identify the year.
While the previous Tire Identification Number format identified that a tire was built in the (N)th year of a decade, there was no universal identifier that confirmed which decade (tires produced in the 1990s may have a small triangle following the Tire Identification Number to identify the decade).
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11
The Tire Identification Number for tires produced prior to 2000 was based on the assumption that tires would not be in service for ten years. While they were required to provided the same information as today’s tires, the week and year the tire was produced was contained in the last three digits. The 2 digits used to identify the week a tire was manufactured immediately preceded a single digit used to identify the year.
While the previous Tire Identification Number format identified that a tire was built in the (N)th year of a decade, there was no universal identifier that confirmed which decade (tires produced in the 1990s may have a small triangle following the Tire Identification Number to identify the decade).
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
OK - I recently bought a 1992 Vette with just 15000 miles on her. I believe the original tires are on her. The front tires are a bit worn on the turning edges, and I wonder if they've ever been rotated.
I have four questions:
1 - should I rotate the tires so the better tires are on the front?
2- should I consider new tires - after all they are now 20 years old? If so, what would you say are the best tires for function and price?
3 - are the originals worth anything on the market?
4- should I just drive them until they drop?
Thanks.
I have four questions:
1 - should I rotate the tires so the better tires are on the front?
2- should I consider new tires - after all they are now 20 years old? If so, what would you say are the best tires for function and price?
3 - are the originals worth anything on the market?
4- should I just drive them until they drop?
Thanks.
at least. Please replace them ASAP! There are several around $100 a corner options that will be 1000 times safer than those tires.
Can't reccomend the cooper tires (Wife had them for a whopping 8 months before they needed replacing because they were at the wear bars)
Summitto HTRZ is decent in this price range. Do some searches here, lots of tire threads.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 78
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
In July 2011 when I bought my 1993 C4, it too had the original tires on it. The tread was fine but the tires did not adhere to the road because they were very dry. I trashed them and put some BF Goodrich Super Sport tires on. I absolutly love them! Got them at Discount Tire for $155 each.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fin...05921&sw=false
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fin...05921&sw=false
Last edited by 93Z07; Dec 22, 2011 at 04:11 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
I likely have the same issue. I recently bought a 90 ZR1 with 21K miles with Eagle ZRs that have decent tread but not much grip. They also have a slight "thump" possibly flatspotted. I checked the codes on the tires and have a 509 and a 339. Sounds like manufactured in 89 for my 90'.
Santa bring me some new tires!
Santa bring me some new tires!
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
In July 2011 when I bought my 1993 C4, it too had the original tires on it. The tread was fine but the tires did not adhere to the road because they were very dry. I trashed them and put some BF Goodrich Super Sport tires on. I absolutly love them! Got them ar Discount Tire for $155 each.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fin...05921&sw=false
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fin...05921&sw=false
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 286
From: Puyallup Washington
If you are going to drive the car at all this winter get new tires this winter. I would recommend driving slowly to the tire shop and getting new tires. Then have fun driving away from the tire shop. New tires are much cheaper than wrecking the Corvette because one old tire blew out on the freeway.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
The tire industry says to discard after 5 yrs because of natural decay of rubber.
I also had some BFG and was VERY satisfied and will buy those again.
I guess you (OP) understand what damage can be done if you have a belt separate and take out the hood, rear quarter...window....old tires on cars that stress tires is an accident waiting to happen.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Some industry sources say tires will "age out" in about 10 years from the date of manufacture. Aging can vary depending on what the actual compound is, and what it is exposed to. Check for date codes and act accordingly. You should check your tires after 5 years for signs of aging and on a periodic basis thereafter.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 525
Likes: 9
From: Annapolis MD
Good thread. I need to check the date codes on my tires.
45k miles on the clock and I have no idea if any of the previous owners replaced them at any point.
They have good tread on them, but...
On a related note, my 92 coupe has sawblade wheels on it right now.
If I were to replace the tires, I might like to put A-molds on her at the same time.
My preference would be to retain the 17x9.5's all the way around, unless there is a compelling reason not to.
I'd probably search online for a wheel/tire combo package deal.
45k miles on the clock and I have no idea if any of the previous owners replaced them at any point.
They have good tread on them, but...
On a related note, my 92 coupe has sawblade wheels on it right now.
If I were to replace the tires, I might like to put A-molds on her at the same time.
My preference would be to retain the 17x9.5's all the way around, unless there is a compelling reason not to.
I'd probably search online for a wheel/tire combo package deal.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
Good thread. I need to check the date codes on my tires.
45k miles on the clock and I have no idea if any of the previous owners replaced them at any point.
They have good tread on them, but...
On a related note, my 92 coupe has sawblade wheels on it right now.
If I were to replace the tires, I might like to put A-molds on her at the same time.
My preference would be to retain the 17x9.5's all the way around, unless there is a compelling reason not to.
I'd probably search online for a wheel/tire combo package deal.
45k miles on the clock and I have no idea if any of the previous owners replaced them at any point.
They have good tread on them, but...
On a related note, my 92 coupe has sawblade wheels on it right now.
If I were to replace the tires, I might like to put A-molds on her at the same time.
My preference would be to retain the 17x9.5's all the way around, unless there is a compelling reason not to.
I'd probably search online for a wheel/tire combo package deal.