[Z06] Aging Tires?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 5
From: Oregon
Aging Tires?
I recently purchased a 2002 Z06, 6000 miles. Of course the car is tremendous! It has the original tires. The tread is fine, but I was wondering if 5 years affects the quality of the tire, even with low mileage. Anyone know something about this?
DrRich
DrRich
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 490
Likes: 7
From: Slinger WI
Yes. 6 years seems to be the magic number. Here is some interesting reading.
http://www.safetyresearch.net/Library/SRS043.pdf
http://www.safetyresearch.net/Library/SRS043.pdf
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Yes. 6 years seems to be the magic number. Here is some interesting reading.
http://www.safetyresearch.net/Library/SRS043.pdf
http://www.safetyresearch.net/Library/SRS043.pdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 31
From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
I'm no expert but logic would dictate that the higher temps and drier air you've got there in the SW may speed up the process.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 608
Likes: 70
From: Richmond, VA
Yes. 6 years seems to be the magic number. Here is some interesting reading.
http://www.safetyresearch.net/Library/SRS043.pdf
http://www.safetyresearch.net/Library/SRS043.pdf
In your situation, I'd say it's not a crisis to get them replaced right away, but I'd keep an eye out for a good deal
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: ATX TX
Being that my business is tires and wheels I'll say this, the compound definately breaks down over time. But if the car was garaged and not driven a whole lot, the tires will definately last longer. Tires sitting in the sun day after day really takes a toll, as well as all the contaminents on the road. Just keep an eye on the edge of the sidewall/tread, and between tread blocks for dry rot. It will start to look really bad before its a serious problem though.
Hope you and your kids are enjoying the new car btw!
Hope you and your kids are enjoying the new car btw!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 5
From: Oregon
Lowell, The car is GREAT and has that nice Texas touch (from Houston). So you think the tires are fine if I don't see any cracks or dry rot. Will they hold the road at high speed as well as two or three years ago?
DrRich
DrRich
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: ATX TX
Definately. Like somebody else said, any tire will get harder and more brittle over time (The 4 year thing is conservative to include crappy tires that are in the sun/water/road chemicals all and every day), but that car was so well maintained that a second thought would never enter my mind. Drive it like it was meant to until they're fully worn
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
I have a '03 w/ 8k miles and orignal tires....they suck untill you get them really really warmed up (which usually never happens just driving around town)
but once they are warm they stick pretty good. I'm going to need new rear tires soon though b/c 1-3 spins when they are cold and it's really eating up the tires pretty fast like this!
but once they are warm they stick pretty good. I'm going to need new rear tires soon though b/c 1-3 spins when they are cold and it's really eating up the tires pretty fast like this!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 1
From: prescott AZ
I recently sold my 88 Z51 Vette, it had a set of BFG Comp T/A's that were 6 years old. There were only 15,000 miles on the tires and they looked like new but the traction was as if they were made of nylon. I hated to replace them but the new RE750's brought back the excellent handling this car had. Night and day difference.
There were no cracks or rot in the BFG's and the car was hardly in the sun except for the little drive time on it. I would NOT trust the old tires at high speed
There were no cracks or rot in the BFG's and the car was hardly in the sun except for the little drive time on it. I would NOT trust the old tires at high speed
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Harwood Maryland
I have a 03' ZO6 with 6400 miles with GoodYear F1's and the car was garaged kept...I recently purchased it. No sign of dry rot, but on a cold road, they are very slick...this may be due to the temp and they need to warm up. I have never been a fan of these tires, and due to the age, I may switch to something else this spring, but we'll see when the temps change a bit
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
...yea, what he said...
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,921
Likes: 1
From: Minburn Ia
I recently sold my 88 Z51 Vette, it had a set of BFG Comp T/A's that were 6 years old. There were only 15,000 miles on the tires and they looked like new but the traction was as if they were made of nylon. I hated to replace them but the new RE750's brought back the excellent handling this car had. Night and day difference.
Kind of like the feel a new pair of supple shoes delivers ...
Just another reason to buy the R rubber ones .... that need replacement after 10K, and never get chance to grow old.