Sorry non supporter for winter vette driving !
Winter tires for a C5: Which dimension?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Vienna Austria
Winter tires for a C5: Which dimension?
Hi!
I need winter tires for my c5 (1999). Which dimension do I need? Can I just drop my summer tires and put winter tires on it? (or do I need new wheels?)
greetings,
Max
I need winter tires for my c5 (1999). Which dimension do I need? Can I just drop my summer tires and put winter tires on it? (or do I need new wheels?)
greetings,
Max
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 5
From: Syracuse New York
If you have standard size corvette rims, 17x8.5 and 18x9.5 inches, then you have a few choices. I wanted to keep the stagger from front to back the same so ABS would work as it should. I am buying Blizzak LM-25 tires. The fronts are 225/50/17 and the rears will be 245/45/18. A tire shop can squeeze these tires on. Then run a 45 pound/20kg plate in the center or the trunk. Good luck not many will support you, but I will drive mine through the winter.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
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From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
For best traction you will want a taller tire. You may be able to get a tire for the stock rims, but if you can afford it get some aftermarket repro's that will allow a "taller" tire and also save your OEM from the salt and general road grime.
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There are several options out there that are in the stock sizes. Goodyear makes an EMT for winter driving and Michelin makes some all-season tires for the car. If it were me, I'd get another set of used wheels to run the tires on and save your other set for the better weather.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,080
From: Guelph, Ontario
Why is it whenever someone has a legitimate question about winter tires or winter driving in general, so many people feel the need to make comments about how they feel that the Corvette shouldn't be driven in winter? It's getting tiresome to read the comments, honestly. Some of us drive them in the winter, and we don't need to be "scolded" for doing so. If someone has a legitimate question about winter tires, and you don't have the answer to the question, don't chime in with your comments about how you don't think the Corvette should be driven in the winter at all. That's not the type of response the original poster wants to hear, it is not helpful to him at all.
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Cruising
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13
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From: Fredericksburg VA
Kuhmo Estca ASX is M+S and has a 30K mile warranty. I just put them on this summer and sooner or later I will be at work when we get a few inches as a surprise. I have had trouble in a 4X4 before in fast-falling wet snow, so we'll see.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Vienna Austria
Thank you for your answers! Is it allowed to drop the summer tires and put winter tires on the original c5 wheels? The fronts would be 245 and the rears 275. Is this okay for driving in the snow?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
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From: Lake Mary Florida
The Pilot Sport A/S ZP (Zero Pressure) is Michelin's Ultra High Performance All-Season self-supporting run-flat tire developed to provide temporary continuing mobility in the case of complete air loss due to a puncture for the drivers of Chevrolet C-5 Corvettes. The Pilot Sport A/S is designed to minimize dry and wet driving compromises while maximizing all-weather traction, including light snow.
Vehicle Application Tire Size
Chevrolet C-5 Corvette (front) 245/45R17 95Y
Chevrolet C-5 Corvette (rear) 275/40R18 99Y
Vehicle Application Tire Size
Chevrolet C-5 Corvette (front) 245/45R17 95Y
Chevrolet C-5 Corvette (rear) 275/40R18 99Y
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
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From: Guelph, Ontario
If you can afford it, you're better off getting dedicated rims for the snow tires, and that way you can save having to get the tires mounted and dismounted so many times (which really isn't good for the tires or the rims)
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 749
Likes: 3
From: West Yarmouth MA.
[QUOTE=Patman;1567714060]Why is it whenever someone has a legitimate question about winter tires or winter driving in general, so many people feel the need to make comments about how they feel that the Corvette shouldn't be driven in winter? It's getting tiresome to read the comments, honestly. Some of us drive them in the winter, and we don't need to be "scolded" for doing so. If someone has a legitimate question about winter tires, and you don't have the answer to the question, don't chime in with your comments about how you don't think the Corvette should be driven in the winter at all. That's not the type of response the original poster wants to hear, it is not helpful to him at all.[/QUOTE
I don't care what you do with your car. I was just warning him that traction in snow is not good. At least that has been my experience.
I don't care what you do with your car. I was just warning him that traction in snow is not good. At least that has been my experience.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 10
From: Wake Forest NC
Why is it whenever someone has a legitimate question about winter tires or winter driving in general, so many people feel the need to make comments about how they feel that the Corvette shouldn't be driven in winter? It's getting tiresome to read the comments, honestly. Some of us drive them in the winter, and we don't need to be "scolded" for doing so. If someone has a legitimate question about winter tires, and you don't have the answer to the question, don't chime in with your comments about how you don't think the Corvette should be driven in the winter at all. That's not the type of response the original poster wants to hear, it is not helpful to him at all.
This is what I have for my daily driver. I feel at least somewhat prepared if we have some snow in my part of the country.
s'noJob
Last edited by s'noJob; Nov 4, 2008 at 07:26 AM. Reason: added daily driver
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,155
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From: If you wanna live life on your own terms, you gotta be willing to crash and burn Florida
Why is it whenever someone has a legitimate question about winter tires or winter driving in general, so many people feel the need to make comments about how they feel that the Corvette shouldn't be driven in winter? It's getting tiresome to read the comments, honestly. Some of us drive them in the winter, and we don't need to be "scolded" for doing so. If someone has a legitimate question about winter tires, and you don't have the answer to the question, don't chime in with your comments about how you don't think the Corvette should be driven in the winter at all. That's not the type of response the original poster wants to hear, it is not helpful to him at all.
I think people are playfully joking about the winter driving. They dont think less of you for driving in the winter. They are not insulting you. They just love vettes and cant imagine how they are in the snow and the damage the salt does to the finish and other parts.I had a Firebird, Camaro and tbird when I lived in Green Bay WI They were aweful even in the smallest amount of snow and the salt ate the camaro and tbird for lunch, there is no way a vette is ammune to the elements or good in the snow.
Recap it's all good they are not insulting any of you for winter driving. Its all good.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
Likes: 9,829
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
A set of good tires and the car will do well in the snow. Actually the Vette will be better than a Camaro or TBird in the snow. It has a greater rear weight bias and that is needed when you have a lot of torque going to the rear wheels. A 6 speed makes it easier as well since you can start out in second gear.
Bill
Bill
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,080
From: Guelph, Ontario
Relax broI think people are playfully joking about the winter driving. They dont think less of you for driving in the winter. They are not insulting you. They just love vettes and cant imagine how they are in the snow and the damage the salt does to the finish and other parts.
I had a Firebird, Camaro and tbird when I lived in Green Bay WI They were aweful even in the smallest amount of snow and the salt ate the camaro and tbird for lunch, there is no way a vette is ammune to the elements or good in the snow.
Recap it's all good they are not insulting any of you for winter driving. Its all good.
I think people are playfully joking about the winter driving. They dont think less of you for driving in the winter. They are not insulting you. They just love vettes and cant imagine how they are in the snow and the damage the salt does to the finish and other parts.I had a Firebird, Camaro and tbird when I lived in Green Bay WI They were aweful even in the smallest amount of snow and the salt ate the camaro and tbird for lunch, there is no way a vette is ammune to the elements or good in the snow.
Recap it's all good they are not insulting any of you for winter driving. Its all good.
But the simple fact is, the original poster wanted to know about snow tires, and the people that just come in and tell him not to drive it in the snow (or call him crazy for doing it) are not helping him. These cars are not bad in light snow with the proper tires, and that's exactly the question he's asking, is about getting the right tires!
I've just seen way too many "winter driving" threads on this board turn into insulting sessions and it really ticks me off.