[Z06] Z winter driving
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 5
From: Syracuse New York
Z winter driving
I have a C6Z, but am looking at purchasing a C5Z as well. I would be using the car typically in good weather, but in central new york it is possible to get caught in some snow. Are there any all season tires that fit the Z06 rims? I will just stick with my 02 vert for now if there are no all seasons available. I checked the tire rack and it only showed summer performance tires. Thanks!
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
winter tires
i have been through 2 winters here in pueblo colorado with my dd 03 z06. my winter tires are michelin pilot alpin in 265/40/18 on front and back. i put 70 lbs of weight in the back center compartment. i have been in 3 to 4 inches of snow with decent traction. these are the first winter tires that i have had but i would highly recommend them as long as you practice good throttle control. traction is not good on ice but few tires are.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 328
Likes: 27
From: Green Garden Illinois
all seasons tires
Check with Goodyear. If I am not mistaken, Goodyear is offering an all season tire in C4, C5 and C6 sizes. It was shown is one of the Vette magazines a few months back.
Good Luck, RWP
Good Luck, RWP
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 982
Likes: 18
From: Seattle WA
I drove mine a little in the snow last winter. The stock F1SC tires are pretty much garbage in the snow. It was fine as long as I was on flat ground. Any kind of incline sucked though.
All season tires seem to be pretty limited in the stock Z06 sizes. I think what I'm going to do next winter is get some of the Z06 Motorsport wheels that look like the stock wheels. You can get them in standard C5 Corvette sizes, and there are many more all season tire options in that size.
I've heard good things about the Goodyear F1 All Season tire. The largest 18" size that is available though is 275/35ZR18. I'm not sure if that size would fit on our rear rims.
All season tires seem to be pretty limited in the stock Z06 sizes. I think what I'm going to do next winter is get some of the Z06 Motorsport wheels that look like the stock wheels. You can get them in standard C5 Corvette sizes, and there are many more all season tire options in that size.
I've heard good things about the Goodyear F1 All Season tire. The largest 18" size that is available though is 275/35ZR18. I'm not sure if that size would fit on our rear rims.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Willie Nelson Country TX
Best winter tires for a Corvette are the same as summer tires except they're up off the garage floor about 6" till it's summer again - just my night to heckle - missed my meds today and the nurses havent caught up with me yet - those jackets with long sleeves that tie in back are hell!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 5
From: Syracuse New York
I drove mine a little in the snow last winter. The stock F1SC tires are pretty much garbage in the snow. It was fine as long as I was on flat ground. Any kind of incline sucked though.
All season tires seem to be pretty limited in the stock Z06 sizes. I think what I'm going to do next winter is get some of the Z06 Motorsport wheels that look like the stock wheels. You can get them in standard C5 Corvette sizes, and there are many more all season tire options in that size.
I've heard good things about the Goodyear F1 All Season tire. The largest 18" size that is available though is 275/35ZR18. I'm not sure if that size would fit on our rear rims.
All season tires seem to be pretty limited in the stock Z06 sizes. I think what I'm going to do next winter is get some of the Z06 Motorsport wheels that look like the stock wheels. You can get them in standard C5 Corvette sizes, and there are many more all season tire options in that size.
I've heard good things about the Goodyear F1 All Season tire. The largest 18" size that is available though is 275/35ZR18. I'm not sure if that size would fit on our rear rims.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 613
Likes: 1
From: Salt Lake City Utah
I'm curious to see what other recommendations come out. I'm going to drive in the winter too, except in deep snow and moderate storms. My wife was at Discount Tires and asked the guy for a recommendation for me and he just laughed at her 
Right now I have the Wide Ovals. They have been great so far in rain and dry conditions. Don't know on snow.
John
Right now I have the Wide Ovals. They have been great so far in rain and dry conditions. Don't know on snow.
John
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 982
Likes: 18
From: Seattle WA
The standard C5 size 18inch goodyear does fit the rear rim on the Z06. Problem is that they do not fit the front rim in the standard C5 size. I do not think that Goodyear makes an All season that fits our front rim. When I looked for all seasons, only BF Goodrich and michelin made a all season that fit the front and back. I had to increase the front tire to a 255 to have it fit the front rim though.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....+F1+All+Season
If going with standard C5 rims they have a direct size match. If using C5Z06 rims either a 255/40ZR17 or 275/40ZR17 would work.
Since it's tires that may be used in the snow, in this case it might be better to go with the narrower tires. That's one reason I'm considering getting some Z06 Motorsport wheels. They have the same stock look, but you can get them in the stock C5 sizes. And the smaller tires should be better in the snow.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,312
Likes: 399
From: North Haven, CT
I'd just buy a used set of C5 wagon or 5 spokes for $100 and throw snow tires on those. No reason to ruin your Z rims and spend money on lower quality reproductions for winter driving.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi SearayC5 -
Yes - there are some "all season" sport tires available in the necessary sizes to fit the stock C5 wheels. Check out any of the major online tire suppliers (tirerack.com etc...) to check availability and sizing info.
I would submit that it would be cost effective, and provide vastly improved snow capabilities to investigate what the tallest, narrowest wheel/tires that you can find and build, essentially, a "rally c5".
I can relate that I had a 1989 Firebird Formula 350 that I bought new.
That car was equipped with a L98 V8, A4, and posi, with goodyear gatorback tires. It would get stuck on flat, level pavement with a half-inch of snow - it just went sideways.
I bought a set of GM steel rims that were taken off of an Impala police cruiser of the same vintage, and installed the steel wheels with cheap P215 15" all season radials. I had to use spacers on the rears to clear the rear disc-brakes on the bird.
That car was an absolute HOOT to drive in the snow and slop - with the posi it would dig and you could drift like Sebastien Loeb.
It would take some investigation on your part to find out the right setup, but the results from the drivers seat would be incredible if you could pull it off.....
best regards -
mqqn
Yes - there are some "all season" sport tires available in the necessary sizes to fit the stock C5 wheels. Check out any of the major online tire suppliers (tirerack.com etc...) to check availability and sizing info.
I would submit that it would be cost effective, and provide vastly improved snow capabilities to investigate what the tallest, narrowest wheel/tires that you can find and build, essentially, a "rally c5".
I can relate that I had a 1989 Firebird Formula 350 that I bought new.
That car was equipped with a L98 V8, A4, and posi, with goodyear gatorback tires. It would get stuck on flat, level pavement with a half-inch of snow - it just went sideways.
I bought a set of GM steel rims that were taken off of an Impala police cruiser of the same vintage, and installed the steel wheels with cheap P215 15" all season radials. I had to use spacers on the rears to clear the rear disc-brakes on the bird.
That car was an absolute HOOT to drive in the snow and slop - with the posi it would dig and you could drift like Sebastien Loeb.
It would take some investigation on your part to find out the right setup, but the results from the drivers seat would be incredible if you could pull it off.....
best regards -
mqqn
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,389
Likes: 2,910
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Kumho ASX in stock c5 sizes on stock c5 wheels...about as good as a 400hp rwd car can expect to handle in light snow and work great in rain...if you insist on running z06 width rims they make 255/40 & 275/35
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,405
Likes: 3
From: Gboro/H-point/Reidsville NC
Best winter tires for a Corvette are the same as summer tires except they're up off the garage floor about 6" till it's summer again - just my night to heckle - missed my meds today and the nurses havent caught up with me yet - those jackets with long sleeves that tie in back are hell!
