Great (old) tire information
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 37
From: Everett WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Great (old) tire information
My 2002 Z06 is a DD but I have friend who has a pardon the term "garage queen" Bone stock 2003 Z06 with only 20,### miles. He said when he does take it out he once in a while takes it to 120 MPH+. I asked if the tires were stock also and of course they are. Would you drive 120+ MPH on 10 year old tires? Check out the link below..Feel free to chime in
http://www.hagerty.com/classic-car-a...-do-tires-last
http://www.hagerty.com/classic-car-a...-do-tires-last
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I would not drive that fast on 10 year old tires but I tend to go on the side of caution - I would want newer tires on the car.
Race Director
Joined: May 2010
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From: Winfield IN
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 993
Likes: 481
From: Roseville MI
A very wise man (my favorite uncle) replied to a question about driving fast (100+). Most cars have a few little things wrong but, at normal speeds little things aren't a problem. At high speeds little things can become fatal. Throwing a tread at 100+ mph would be catastrophic and could lead to a very serious accident. To answer the question, NO! I would not do it and would advise anyone so inclined, not to do it either.
Scott
Scott
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I had a tread delaminate at 70 on the freeway. That was more fun than I care to remember. I wouldn't want to try it at 120 mph thats for sure.
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Atlanta Georgia
St. Jude Donor '13,'14
Bought my 2003 Z a year ago - had 7,500 miles on it and original tires.
Read some posts and changed them out made a huge difference, no more steering wheel shimmy, ride much better.
I wouldn't be comfortable using old tires for anything but driving round the neighborhood.
Read some posts and changed them out made a huge difference, no more steering wheel shimmy, ride much better.
I wouldn't be comfortable using old tires for anything but driving round the neighborhood.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,380
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From: Western NY
My winter vehicle, because I live in the "snow belt", is a 2005 GMC Canyon 4x4. I bought it in January of 2005, and immediately put 4 Bridgestone snow tires on it. In my hurry to get some winter tires on it, and also due to their unusual size, I didn't really take a close look at the manufacturers date code on them....they were just over 4 years old when I bought them!
I was thinking, a few weeks ago, that I had these tires for 8 years, and they were getting a little old, maybe I should consider replacing them. Imagine my surprise, when I looked at the date code, and realized they were manufactured in late 2000...they were actually going on 13 years old!
Although they still, surprisingly, had a LOT of tread left, and no visible cracks at all, they were replaced within a couple of weeks.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,500
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From: Scottsdale AZ
For most of us, throwing away a set of what appear to be 'perfectly good' tires because they're old just seems to defy traditional logic.
There's so much "the sky is falling" BS out there on everything from tires to weather warnings thanks to an over zealous legal system, so it's often tough to separate fact from fiction.
I think I'd probably try and eek out as much wear as I could at local speeds while I looked for a deal on new, safer tires.
Just my .02-
There's so much "the sky is falling" BS out there on everything from tires to weather warnings thanks to an over zealous legal system, so it's often tough to separate fact from fiction.
I think I'd probably try and eek out as much wear as I could at local speeds while I looked for a deal on new, safer tires.
Just my .02-
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 798
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
For most of us, throwing away a set of what appear to be 'perfectly good' tires because they're old just seems to defy traditional logic.
There's so much "the sky is falling" BS out there on everything from tires to weather warnings thanks to an over zealous legal system, so it's often tough to separate fact from fiction.
I think I'd probably try and eek out as much wear as I could at local speeds while I looked for a deal on new, safer tires.
Just my .02-
There's so much "the sky is falling" BS out there on everything from tires to weather warnings thanks to an over zealous legal system, so it's often tough to separate fact from fiction.
I think I'd probably try and eek out as much wear as I could at local speeds while I looked for a deal on new, safer tires.
Just my .02-
Maybe you shouldn't drive 100 anyway
Race Director
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16,574
Likes: 13
From: Winfield IN
For most of us, throwing away a set of what appear to be 'perfectly good' tires because they're old just seems to defy traditional logic.
There's so much "the sky is falling" BS out there on everything from tires to weather warnings thanks to an over zealous legal system, so it's often tough to separate fact from fiction.
I think I'd probably try and eek out as much wear as I could at local speeds while I looked for a deal on new, safer tires.
Just my .02-
There's so much "the sky is falling" BS out there on everything from tires to weather warnings thanks to an over zealous legal system, so it's often tough to separate fact from fiction.
I think I'd probably try and eek out as much wear as I could at local speeds while I looked for a deal on new, safer tires.
Just my .02-
What's the point in buying a Corvette then?
Regardless if it's 70mph or 100mph, a catastrophic tire failure is not going to be pretty.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Z rated tires are built to such higher standards compared to ordinary street tires that you have very little to worry about at normal speeds. The only thing going on is oxidation of the outer skin making the surface hard and slippery, meaning reduced traction. Now that doesn't mean you should ignore their condition, and you may get away with it at 100 mph plus, but don't risk it. However, at around the town speeds, no problem. I've driven my 14 year old Michelin ZPs with no problems around town; they are my emergency spare set stored away from sunlight and have no dry rot. If you have very old tires, always check for dry rot on the interior side of the tire as well as the outside facing the weather. All those sky is falling warnings are there only to protect the tire companies and installers from litigation. Put it this way...do you throw out your prescription pills, cereal, beer, etc on the discard date?
Last edited by $$$frumnuttin'; Feb 23, 2013 at 10:06 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 391
Likes: 1
From: El Paso TX
When I bought my car a year ago, it had 2800 miles and the stock tires. The tires would actually squeal under hard acceleration from 3rd to 4th gear (stock car). So I did what every responsible citizen should do and got rid of them... not without having some fun first of course.