Tire replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 122
Likes: 26
From: Clermont Fl
Tire replacement
Excuse my ignorance. Got my C5 about a month ago. Searched and figured out what tires I want. What worries me is I've read where a special "puck" is needed to jack the car up. Also worried about the TPMS. Planning on getting the tires from Tirerack. Just curious if these places know what they are doing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 62
From: Columbia SC
Bought my most recent set of tires from tire rack. Nothing against them but took the tires off at home put them in my truck and brought the to tire rack. Just me. As for the jacking pucks just do a search and you will find you can make a set out of hockey pucks and eye bolts. Total cost under $15.00. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
IMHO, tirerack has the best prices, even with shipping factored in.
my area of VA is close enough to the TR warehouse (in NJ) that as long as I order before 11am, I have tires next day (paying standard shipping, not overnight).
The bigger problem you may have is finding a place that will mount them.
(b/c you didn't buy there.)
or they don't have a certified tech or the right kind of machine
(law here requires the tire tech be runflat certified and the machine have cage around it.)
Apparently takes a lot more pressure to seat the bead on runflats.
You may have to find a local "independent" tire shop instead of a chain store.
None that I found around here will guarantee against rim damage.
Never had a problem with damage to the TPM sensors (or rim damage, either)
alternately, you local dealer may be able to mount them.
(Mine acquired the proper equipment ~2 years ago)
my area of VA is close enough to the TR warehouse (in NJ) that as long as I order before 11am, I have tires next day (paying standard shipping, not overnight).
The bigger problem you may have is finding a place that will mount them.
(b/c you didn't buy there.)
or they don't have a certified tech or the right kind of machine
(law here requires the tire tech be runflat certified and the machine have cage around it.)
Apparently takes a lot more pressure to seat the bead on runflats.
You may have to find a local "independent" tire shop instead of a chain store.
None that I found around here will guarantee against rim damage.
Never had a problem with damage to the TPM sensors (or rim damage, either)
alternately, you local dealer may be able to mount them.
(Mine acquired the proper equipment ~2 years ago)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Bought a set of Bridgestones at TiresPlus, they matched Tirerack prices. I had them install new OEM Schrader TPMS at the same time. I bought the TPMS online at Rock Auto for 40 bucks a piece. I told the tech about my permanent jacking pads and jacking up the car and he said he was familiar with C5s.
Almost 10K miles later and tires are great and no problem with sensors.
Almost 10K miles later and tires are great and no problem with sensors.
Last edited by JR-01; Jul 23, 2015 at 05:20 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 122
Likes: 26
From: Clermont Fl
Whether you need jacking pucks depends upon where on the car it is jacked from. The Puck is intended for when you jack the car from the rocker panel area. Here is a short video about the use of pucks that will help:
Corvette jacking pucks how to use by froggy - YouTube
If you are concerned about the place that you will use to mount the new tires just stop by their shop and ask them what they do for lifting a C5 Corvette to change tires. Some shops have lifts that use the frame of the car, others use floor jacks that lift on the frame and yet others use lifts that use the rocker panel area to lift the car.
Tire rack usually has more than one possible place in your area that is on their approved list so maybe check out more than one before you order the tires.
TPMS are a different beast altogether. Your profile indicates you have a 2004. The replacement TPMS for your year are far less expensive than for the 97 - 2000 C5. If you are unsure whether the TPM's are newer then you may want to purchase new ones. The TPM's have batteries inside them (non replaceable) that have a life of 8 to 10 years or so. Some longer, some less. Here is a link of what the C5 TPM's look like and how they are mounted in wheels for the C5:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1574148527-post10.html
If you are going to buy new TPM's I suggest you be careful with the generic replacements as many have proven to be very difficult to retrain to your car.
Here is info on the training of TPM's:
C5 Corvette TPMS Reset - CorvetteOnline.com - YouTube
Corvette jacking pucks how to use by froggy - YouTube
If you are concerned about the place that you will use to mount the new tires just stop by their shop and ask them what they do for lifting a C5 Corvette to change tires. Some shops have lifts that use the frame of the car, others use floor jacks that lift on the frame and yet others use lifts that use the rocker panel area to lift the car.
Tire rack usually has more than one possible place in your area that is on their approved list so maybe check out more than one before you order the tires.
TPMS are a different beast altogether. Your profile indicates you have a 2004. The replacement TPMS for your year are far less expensive than for the 97 - 2000 C5. If you are unsure whether the TPM's are newer then you may want to purchase new ones. The TPM's have batteries inside them (non replaceable) that have a life of 8 to 10 years or so. Some longer, some less. Here is a link of what the C5 TPM's look like and how they are mounted in wheels for the C5:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1574148527-post10.html
If you are going to buy new TPM's I suggest you be careful with the generic replacements as many have proven to be very difficult to retrain to your car.
Here is info on the training of TPM's:
C5 Corvette TPMS Reset - CorvetteOnline.com - YouTube
Wow, thanks for all the info. Very helpful. Will probably go ahead and change the sensors while the tires are off. Looks like I should be at the end of the service life anyhow.
My other car is an old Eagle Talon. The website for it is crap compared to this one. I'll use the search as much as possible but stay tuned for more stupid questions as I learn more about this great car. Waited 50 years to get one, feel like a kid in a candy store.
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Good advice above. My last few sets of tires have been bought from a local Ford dealer that will price match Internet quotes, so I used Discount Tires web site (low price plus free shipping on tires) and got the tires that way. I have jacking pucks that stay on the car all the time so I don't worry about the shop not having a set. And if you're not sure about the TPMS, go ahead and replace them since you'll have the tire off the wheel anyway.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 78
Likes: 5
From: Howard Oh
Tire Worries
Excuse my ignorance. Got my C5 about a month ago. Searched and figured out what tires I want. What worries me is I've read where a special "puck" is needed to jack the car up. Also worried about the TPMS. Planning on getting the tires from Tirerack. Just curious if these places know what they are doing.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I have done a bunch of runflats. Machine was just a standard rim clamp style tire machine. They mounted and dismounted just like any other tire.
Seating the beads was the same as other tires too. Mine seated at under 20 psi.
I am not sure why they require a certified tech and a special machine.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 296
Likes: 6
From: Valencia CA
I think I can give some advice here. I used to use Tire Rack several times while building various streetrod projects. The problem is you get a good deal on the tires, but you need someone to mount and balance them. When you add in that cost, it just about the same as if you just went to the tire store. In fact, let them know what the tires will cost from tirerack and I'll bet they'll match it or beat it, with mounting included. I believe you can keep your TPMS. Most tire stores know how to program them if needed. I use American tires and they are fantastic. Haven't bought tires from Tirerack for years.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 3
Regarding Tire Rack, they have designated installers for their tires here in Florida and - please check with them, I believe almost everywhere. No more tires on the front porch.
Tires Plus stores are their installers in my neighborhood. How it works is Tire Rack ships tires to installer, installer mounts tires at a fixed price agreed to between Tire Rack and their installers. Obviously, the intaller is looking for additional sales such as alignment, but those are not part of any Tire Rack agreement.
I have used this service for the 3 of the last 4 sets purchased. Last set Tires Plus agreed to match Tire Rack's pricing and I was able to negotiate a future alignment as well as part of the price.
I really like Tire Rack as much for their prices as for the advice their sales staff shares. Located in northern Indiana, the TR facility has a test track where sales staff is "required" to log a minimum number of hours each month testing tires on the company's 3 Series BMWs. I accept "most" of what they tell me ... last two sets for my Corvettes were spot on.
If you have a Tire Rack installer nearby, you can take advantage of this in addition to their pricing.
Tires Plus stores are their installers in my neighborhood. How it works is Tire Rack ships tires to installer, installer mounts tires at a fixed price agreed to between Tire Rack and their installers. Obviously, the intaller is looking for additional sales such as alignment, but those are not part of any Tire Rack agreement.
I have used this service for the 3 of the last 4 sets purchased. Last set Tires Plus agreed to match Tire Rack's pricing and I was able to negotiate a future alignment as well as part of the price.
I really like Tire Rack as much for their prices as for the advice their sales staff shares. Located in northern Indiana, the TR facility has a test track where sales staff is "required" to log a minimum number of hours each month testing tires on the company's 3 Series BMWs. I accept "most" of what they tell me ... last two sets for my Corvettes were spot on.
If you have a Tire Rack installer nearby, you can take advantage of this in addition to their pricing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
The only problem I have with Tirerack is if there are problems with the tires. A shop that sells and installs them will usually stand behind their products and do what it takes to make things right. I had a bad tire on my C3 and the seller replaced it no charge. Getting it resolved from Tirerack probably would not have been so easy. Anyway the shop matched their price.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
I'd like to hear more about this.
I have done a bunch of runflats. Machine was just a standard rim clamp style tire machine. They mounted and dismounted just like any other tire.
Seating the beads was the same as other tires too. Mine seated at under 20 psi.
I am not sure why they require a certified tech and a special machine.
I have done a bunch of runflats. Machine was just a standard rim clamp style tire machine. They mounted and dismounted just like any other tire.
Seating the beads was the same as other tires too. Mine seated at under 20 psi.
I am not sure why they require a certified tech and a special machine.
Another example: Sams Club told me they were not allowed (by law) to sell runflats b/c they did not have a caged machine.
Perhaps it is a Virginia law thing.