[Z06] Tire wear!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Purcellville, VA
Tire wear!!!!!!!
I just got my 02 Z06 about 2 1/2 weeks ago with 9981 on the odo. I was cleaning it up last weekend and decided to take a look at the inside front tires based on threads I have read recently on CF. I was shocked to see that the passenger side was almost worn through but got even more shocked to see the drivers side was showing white (nylon?) cords! 
I thought I had another month or two before replacement since there is still about 1/8 inch before the wear bars in back and front (at least the part that wasn't worn through. I haven't driven it since and am getting new tires on friday. I think I will go with the C5 coupe alignment specs so I can get a little more out of the fronts. The car shows no signs of abuse (other than the tires) but it certainly got me thinking about the previous owners and their driving habits. Any thoughts or insight is appreciated. Also, can anyone give me the alignment specs that people are running for longer tire life or do I just tell the shop to do the C5 coupe specs and they will understand? I wont be "tracking" this car anytime soon so I'll take the small hit in turn in response. TIA
Mike
I thought I had another month or two before replacement since there is still about 1/8 inch before the wear bars in back and front (at least the part that wasn't worn through. I haven't driven it since and am getting new tires on friday. I think I will go with the C5 coupe alignment specs so I can get a little more out of the fronts. The car shows no signs of abuse (other than the tires) but it certainly got me thinking about the previous owners and their driving habits. Any thoughts or insight is appreciated. Also, can anyone give me the alignment specs that people are running for longer tire life or do I just tell the shop to do the C5 coupe specs and they will understand? I wont be "tracking" this car anytime soon so I'll take the small hit in turn in response. TIAMike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County CA
Almost sounds like it was tracked. Whoever may have made adjustments up front for that exact reason? Z06 alignment specs should be just fine. My treads are wearing just fine across the tread pattern. I did have it checked early just in case. Had some warrentee work done and was able to con them into checking the alignment. Good luck,
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: HUNTINGTON BEACH CA
He either tracked it or had a bad alignment. Also check the outside shoulder. If it's thin as well as the inside, chances are it's seen a few days at the track.
I run mine pretty hard at the track. I had about 9 track days and 9k miles before I swapped out my stock GYs.
I run mine pretty hard at the track. I had about 9 track days and 9k miles before I swapped out my stock GYs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
I had the same thing on my car. I just replace the second set. Both sets had about 30K miles and both were worn on the inside edge. For cornering, they give us a bit more camber so that when the car is really leaning into the corner, the tread lays flat across the pavement. If you insist on taking corners at reasonable speeds, like those at or below the suggested ramp or corner speeds, you are not using the outside edge of the tire very much.
I have given some though to taking a few degrees off. I could probably have gotten at least another 5K miles out of them if I had. But would I regret this on those very satisfying occasions when I really push the car hard on the twisties?
Chuck
I have given some though to taking a few degrees off. I could probably have gotten at least another 5K miles out of them if I had. But would I regret this on those very satisfying occasions when I really push the car hard on the twisties?
Chuck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 1
From: McKinney TX
Just got my first 2nd set of tires, stock ones lasted 12k (I drive the car.) Inside tread was worn good, 4/32 in the center left. With the heavy negative camber settings on the Z this is considered normal.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 179
Likes: 2
From: Somerville NJ
Has to be an alignment problem - I've tracked my car about 5 times on this last set of GY and had about 15k on them when I changed. (They were shot though) I'd expect about 20-22k on a set of GYs that are driven normally on the street. I'm religious about air pressure and alignment though so have always gotten solid wear on my tires - my 2kC5 had 20k on the tires and still had a few 32nds over the wear bars after a couple track days. I just run the stock alignment.
If you do end up tracking the car - load up the fronts to about 36-37psi and driver rear to same - passenger rear to about 34 (cold tire temps)and you'll minimize roll and scrubbing when pushing the car. Saw a guy running street pressure to start one day and his tires outside edges were toast after 2 lapping sessions.
If you do end up tracking the car - load up the fronts to about 36-37psi and driver rear to same - passenger rear to about 34 (cold tire temps)and you'll minimize roll and scrubbing when pushing the car. Saw a guy running street pressure to start one day and his tires outside edges were toast after 2 lapping sessions.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Purcellville, VA
Thanks guys. So, none of you think that the specs for a normal C5 coupe are the way to go? I'm still on the fence on this and am curious if I will get any better tire wear. I am going with the PS2's to give them a shot and hopefully get a little longer life out of these since they are a little pricey. Once again, thanks for all of the input.
Z06's rock!
Mike
Z06's rock!
Mike
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
From: Enterprise AL
My 02 Z06 (I am the original owner from mile 5) has never had an alignment since it left the factory, I drive it and corner it hard occasionally. I just replaced the two front OEM tires at 32000, replaced with OEM GY SC tires. They probably could have gone another 5000. Surprisingly, the rears are wearing like iron, I would say I should get through the Spring before they will have to be replaced, so I estimate that they will have approx. 36000 miles when they are worn beyond what I consider safe, (not quite into the wear bars). Of course a bad stoplight exchange could accelerate my estimates, drastically.
zo6vettepilot
zo6vettepilot
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Purcellville, VA
I was out of town all week and wanted to let everyone know what was happening with my tires. I got the new Michelin PS/2's put on and had an alignment done. I don't have the numbers in front of me since my wife has been driving the car all week and she isn't home from work yet, but suffice it to say the alignment shop said that all four wheels were way off. Does this make any sense that they would be that bad just from daily driving? It was an Ohio car so maybe there were a lot of potholes or something or maybe the alignment was bad from the factory? I guess time will tell if there is another problem. The car drives fantastic so it doesn't seem logical that it's something else. Any ideas? Thanks.
Mike
Mike