Age
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 111
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From: Jackson TN
Age
I just purchased an 03 coupe. It is 800 miles from my home. My plan is to fly in and pickup the car to drive back. My question, the tires have 7000 miles on them, but they are 11 years old. Should I be concerned about these tires? Especially on an 800 mile trip.
Instructor
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From: Omaha Arkansas
Racer
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I agree with the others. At that age, the rubber is crap. Traction will be diminished accordingly. But if there are no obvious signs that they'll disintegrate, they'll probably still hold to the road better than cheap *mart tires.
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Take it easy on the trip home and then replace the tires at the first opportunity. Good luck and be safe.
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Melting Slicks
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From: jefferson texas
with comments above by other forum members. Visual check, then if Ok on that, check pressure and enjoy the ride home. You might want to consider picking up some basic tire leak/repair/portable compressor equipment if you are that far from home. Cheap insurance. Good luck and best wishes! Ok, I'm back, I have to go with other members on getting new tires before your trip home if possible and time allows. I'm assuming you'll be looking at non run flats so I'd still get the emergency flat equipment before starting back home. Be safe and best wishes!
Last edited by friou; Oct 11, 2016 at 07:12 PM. Reason: add
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
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Don't push the car at all! Drive at or just below the posted speed limits or try to stay around 60-65 MPH. Don't put a lot of weight in the car either. Check the tires carefully for any signs of cracks in the tread or on the sidewalls. This is a sign that the tires are drying out and could lead to failure.Check the tire pressures and inflate them to the pressures shown on the decal on the driver's door. It certainly can't hurt to take a small air compressor, a can of tire sealant, a pressure gauge with you. This stuff is widely available at the chain auto parts stores. And if you aren't a AAA member, join up and get the 100 mile towing/service upgrade.
Ask the seller when the engine oil was changed last. You may want to have an oil and filter change done before starting back. Look at the weather forecasts along the route; you may want to install new wiper blades if there may be a chance of rain along the route.
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Don't push the car at all! Drive at or just below the posted speed limits or try to stay around 60-65 MPH. Don't put a lot of weight in the car either. Check the tires carefully for any signs of cracks in the tread or on the sidewalls. This is a sign that the tires are drying out and could lead to failure.Check the tire pressures and inflate them to the pressures shown on the decal on the driver's door. It certainly can't hurt to take a small air compressor, a can of tire sealant, a pressure gauge with you. This stuff is widely available at the chain auto parts stores. And if you aren't a AAA member, join up and get the 100 mile towing/service upgrade.
Ask the seller when the engine oil was changed last. You may want to have an oil and filter change done before starting back. Look at the weather forecasts along the route; you may want to install new wiper blades if there may be a chance of rain along the route.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Hill Country TX
I generally agree with other posters, HOWEVER, consider that tires that old and with that few miles have obviously set for long periods of time. The tires will set or flat spot. With newer tires the 'flat spot' will tend to work its way out over a few miles.
With older/old tires that flat spot may not work out all the way and in my opinion there will be 'extra flex' at that spot and heat build up. Frankly I would be worried of tread separation.
Maybe I over think it but at that distance, 800 miles, I would seriously consider putting new tires on before the trip home. Yes a hassle in a new area, but you're probably going to put new tires on soon anyway so why not now?
Best of luck and enjoy your new ride.
With older/old tires that flat spot may not work out all the way and in my opinion there will be 'extra flex' at that spot and heat build up. Frankly I would be worried of tread separation.
Maybe I over think it but at that distance, 800 miles, I would seriously consider putting new tires on before the trip home. Yes a hassle in a new area, but you're probably going to put new tires on soon anyway so why not now?
Best of luck and enjoy your new ride.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Rural North West NV
Good God man, those tires could explode at any moment, taking out the whole car, you and the entire neighborhood with them! You can't drive that car even to the tire shop! You must carefully put it in a fully enclosed, hermetically sealed trailer to move it! 
Ok, just making a little fun of the overly cautious here.
Personally, I'd just check the tire pressure and then run them as they are. I wouldn't recommend any track days with them but I've run much older tires on many cars. Heck, my 1964 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 still has Sears bias ply tires that must be at least 40 years old and I just ran about 300 freeway miles at 70 MPH but then, I've been known to live dangerously.
Ok, just making a little fun of the overly cautious here.
Personally, I'd just check the tire pressure and then run them as they are. I wouldn't recommend any track days with them but I've run much older tires on many cars. Heck, my 1964 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 still has Sears bias ply tires that must be at least 40 years old and I just ran about 300 freeway miles at 70 MPH but then, I've been known to live dangerously.
Last edited by ChiliPepperGarage; Oct 9, 2016 at 01:14 PM.
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I had the original tires on my '04 Z for about 2k miles before swapping them out. Cosmetically they were fine, and even rode fairly smooth. I quickly found out that they were hard as a rock though, and traction was a no go. (Especially after intake, headers, and tune!) After breaking the tires loose shifting into 4th, I knew it was time to upgrade.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Perry OH
I'm with Wek...
Why not decide what tires you are going to put on anyway, contact a reliable outlet for the brand where you are buying the car- have them pre-order so the tires are there for you. You won't save a lot of money locally, right??
Then fly in- buy the car- and go to the tire dealer. Enjoy the ride home knowing you will not have a blowout, no thump and bump. Join AAA.
You can evaluate brands here on the Forum. I like Bridgestone RE 760 Sports.
Then fly in- buy the car- and go to the tire dealer. Enjoy the ride home knowing you will not have a blowout, no thump and bump. Join AAA.
You can evaluate brands here on the Forum. I like Bridgestone RE 760 Sports.
Last edited by MikeWyatt; Oct 9, 2016 at 07:22 PM.
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From: Aiken, SC
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My car was 12 years old with 12 year old tires. Drove 700 miles home, no silly stunts, and everything was fine.
Once home I did replace the tires and TPMS.
Be safe and enjoy the ride!
Once home I did replace the tires and TPMS.
Be safe and enjoy the ride!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Jackson TN
Tires
Why not decide what tires you are going to put on anyway, contact a reliable outlet for the brand where you are buying the car- have them pre-order so the tires are there for you. You won't save a lot of money locally, right??
Then fly in- buy the car- and go to the tire dealer. Enjoy the ride home knowing you will not have a blowout, no thump and bump. Join AAA.
You can evaluate brands here on the Forum. I like Bridgestone RE 760 Sports.
Then fly in- buy the car- and go to the tire dealer. Enjoy the ride home knowing you will not have a blowout, no thump and bump. Join AAA.
You can evaluate brands here on the Forum. I like Bridgestone RE 760 Sports.
Yep, that's pretty much what I had in mind. Just asking opinions.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 979
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From: El Paso Texas
I would put new tires immediately on the car. At 11 years old and the original Goodyears it is like driving a brick. They are hard, no traction and you should get new ones before the drive.
You can't tell what kind of traffic you may get into, emergency situations etc. Just get the tires, you have to anyway, so why take the chance.
You can't tell what kind of traffic you may get into, emergency situations etc. Just get the tires, you have to anyway, so why take the chance.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 3
From: Boise Idaho
Why not decide what tires you are going to put on anyway, contact a reliable outlet for the brand where you are buying the car- have them pre-order so the tires are there for you. You won't save a lot of money locally, right??
Then fly in- buy the car- and go to the tire dealer. Enjoy the ride home knowing you will not have a blowout, no thump and bump. Join AAA.
You can evaluate brands here on the Forum. I like Bridgestone RE 760 Sports.
Then fly in- buy the car- and go to the tire dealer. Enjoy the ride home knowing you will not have a blowout, no thump and bump. Join AAA.
You can evaluate brands here on the Forum. I like Bridgestone RE 760 Sports.
Might want to check and see if there is a Discount Tire facility there. They have been a great company to deal with in my experience.
Hope this helps...drive safe.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
I recently did the same trip, only mine was 1200 miles. So what follows is what I WISHED I had done when I picked mine up.
Does the 03 have the F55 Magnetic Shock option? If so, check that the "shock stuffers" have been removed from all 4 shocks, which happens quite often. Failure to remove these will cause a very rough ride with the shocks bottoming out on every bump you hit. Very easy to check with the wheels off, just look for a yellow tab sticking out of the shock bellows.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ck-blocks.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uspension.html
As to your very old tires........RunFlats have very hard and stiff sidewalls to start with. Add their age and they may be like driving on bricks ;^(.
If possible, I would suggest deciding on what new tires you want to buy and arranging for their purchase at a shop close to where you are picking up your 03. And also purchase a set of new tire pressure sensors and take them with you so the tire shop can install them along with the new tires. The shop can also check for the shock stuffers at the same time.
BTW, my choice was the new BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 tires and I am very happy with them.
Jim
Does the 03 have the F55 Magnetic Shock option? If so, check that the "shock stuffers" have been removed from all 4 shocks, which happens quite often. Failure to remove these will cause a very rough ride with the shocks bottoming out on every bump you hit. Very easy to check with the wheels off, just look for a yellow tab sticking out of the shock bellows.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ck-blocks.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uspension.html
As to your very old tires........RunFlats have very hard and stiff sidewalls to start with. Add their age and they may be like driving on bricks ;^(.
If possible, I would suggest deciding on what new tires you want to buy and arranging for their purchase at a shop close to where you are picking up your 03. And also purchase a set of new tire pressure sensors and take them with you so the tire shop can install them along with the new tires. The shop can also check for the shock stuffers at the same time.
BTW, my choice was the new BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 tires and I am very happy with them.
Jim