Simple REAR TIRE QUESTION (HELP)
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2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
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Simple REAR TIRE QUESTION (HELP)
I plan to replace all 4 of my tires on my Corvette at one time. As you know, the size of the Corvette's original rear tires are 275/40R/18. My question is this...is it OK to replace these original rear tires with new tires sized 275/35R/18? Would this be a safe thing to do? Have you changed the size of the rear tires on your Corvette? THANKS for your help.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
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From: Oak Hill Virginia
What year is your car? Does it have Active Handeling and Traction Control if it is a pre 2001? That was an option starting in 1998 through 2000 and standard beginning in 2001.
On cars with AH /TC you need to keep the rear tire overall diameter at least 1/2" taller than the front tire overall diameter if you want to keep AH/TC happy.
If you plan to stay with the OEM Front size (245/45-17 and use the 275/35-18 (tire diameters 25.7 and 25.6 respectively) and your car has AH/TC you are going to have to turn off AH every time you start the car to be able to drive it. Your rear tires are shorter than the front tires and AH will constantly think the rear wheels are spinning and attempt to correct the "problem".
On cars with AH /TC you need to keep the rear tire overall diameter at least 1/2" taller than the front tire overall diameter if you want to keep AH/TC happy.
If you plan to stay with the OEM Front size (245/45-17 and use the 275/35-18 (tire diameters 25.7 and 25.6 respectively) and your car has AH/TC you are going to have to turn off AH every time you start the car to be able to drive it. Your rear tires are shorter than the front tires and AH will constantly think the rear wheels are spinning and attempt to correct the "problem".
Your rear tire diameter should really be at least .5" taller than the front. The formula to calculate tire diameter is:
[(Width X % Aspect Ratio X 2) / 25.4] + Rim Size
So, if you're running 275 35 18 Tires
[(275 X .35 X 2) / 25.4] + 18 = 25.5787 inches
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Before you make a mistake your going to regret.
Read something I put together.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ah-issues.html
If you plan to keep your stock wheels... I would not change the stock sizes.
A 275/35R/18 on your rear would look really bad !
Let alone the Active handling issues and Traction control issues you may get as a result.
Toque
Read something I put together.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ah-issues.html
If you plan to keep your stock wheels... I would not change the stock sizes.
A 275/35R/18 on your rear would look really bad !
Let alone the Active handling issues and Traction control issues you may get as a result.
Toque
