Time for new tires? (Aged)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,624
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From: Mont Belvieu Tx
Time for new tires? (Aged)
So, I have a 2003 Anniversary Red Vette with 17k miles on it. It still has its factory tires on it. While they look brand new still (no signs of dry rot, cracking or any other visible issues) I'm concerned that they may have become dangerous due to age. I guess it is coming up on 14 years now. Think replacements are in order? Not sure if I should expect to see signs of age or wear to justify it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,840
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
So, I have a 2003 Anniversary Red Vette with 17k miles on it. It still has its factory tires on it. While they look brand new still (no signs of dry rot, cracking or any other visible issues) I'm concerned that they may have become dangerous due to age. I guess it is coming up on 14 years now. Think replacements are in order? Not sure if I should expect to see signs of age or wear to justify it.
I think your common sense is conflicting what appears to be a good tire.
Get into an accident and hurt someone, and a lawyer would have a field day with the age of your tires.
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I agree with all the above - it is time for new tires.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '18
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Agree, got my Pewter with 48k and original tires. Drove home, then to the tire dealer the next day. Don't mess with the maybe 200 square inches that are dealing with 3200lbs and 350+ horsepower.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Good jobe here
200 sq inches is just about right. but two of those tire footprints 100 sg ft. steer and support half the weight of the car. the rear tires drive the car and support the other half of the car's
weight and directly transfer all of the HP to the road.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Just a point of view from an old guy
When someone has to say " Trust Me ".. the first thing I think of is, I don't want to trust anyone that has to qualify their comment, in this way.
Not a slam, just a point of view.. Its a body language thing. I don't particularly like the term... it doesn't mean the person is lying, it's just one of those clichés that gets my attention. I have the same distain for the term, " IM going to pull the trigger", or " with that being said", or " you know what I'm sayin" " Have a nice day " etc.
Not a slam, just a point of view.. Its a body language thing. I don't particularly like the term... it doesn't mean the person is lying, it's just one of those clichés that gets my attention. I have the same distain for the term, " IM going to pull the trigger", or " with that being said", or " you know what I'm sayin" " Have a nice day " etc.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 16,105
Likes: 473
Well, I just drove ~1,500 miles last month on my 9 year old Pilot Sports that turned out to be crap, but on the surface/quick glance looked just fine. They were dry rotted to the point of kaput. It's a miracle I made it on my journey in one piece, given the--ahem--speeds I might have been going every once in awhile.
The tech working on my car post-trip for some needed items said as much. He didn't want me to leave his shop and drive the car until new tires arrived, but I had to get the car back home the remaining 15-20 miles and into storage for a bit. He demanded I take nothing but surface streets with lots of stop lights and not exceed 35 mph or so.
With that being said, that's why I said trust me, because I'm relaying my experience from last month, you know what I'm sayin?
So there. Have a nice day.
The tech working on my car post-trip for some needed items said as much. He didn't want me to leave his shop and drive the car until new tires arrived, but I had to get the car back home the remaining 15-20 miles and into storage for a bit. He demanded I take nothing but surface streets with lots of stop lights and not exceed 35 mph or so.
With that being said, that's why I said trust me, because I'm relaying my experience from last month, you know what I'm sayin?
So there. Have a nice day.
Last edited by SLO VETTE; Jan 5, 2017 at 01:05 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 195
From: Boxford Massachusetts
Replacing my OEMs with only 18k miles but 10 years on them with non-runflat Hankooks is the best mod I've made to my car. You won't believe the difference in traction, feel and noise.
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Clayton Cali
new tires - OEM vs replica wheels
It sounds as though I should also replace the original tires on my 03...
I'm thinking about upgrading the rims - are OEM worth the money or are replicas (Z06 Spyders) a good choice?
I'm thinking about upgrading the rims - are OEM worth the money or are replicas (Z06 Spyders) a good choice?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,840
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Well, I just drove ~1,500 miles last month on my 9 year old Pilot Sports that turned out to be crap, but on the surface/quick glance looked just fine. They were dry rotted to the point of kaput. It's a miracle I made it on my journey in one piece, given the--ahem--speeds I might have been going every once in awhile.
The tech working on my car post-trip for some needed items said as much. He didn't want me to leave his shop and drive the car until new tires arrived, but I had to get the car back home the remaining 15-20 miles and into storage for a bit. He demanded I take nothing but surface streets with lots of stop lights and not exceed 35 mph or so.
With that being said, that's why I said trust me, because I'm relaying my experience from last month, you know what I'm sayin?
So there. Have a nice day.
The tech working on my car post-trip for some needed items said as much. He didn't want me to leave his shop and drive the car until new tires arrived, but I had to get the car back home the remaining 15-20 miles and into storage for a bit. He demanded I take nothing but surface streets with lots of stop lights and not exceed 35 mph or so.
With that being said, that's why I said trust me, because I'm relaying my experience from last month, you know what I'm sayin?
So there. Have a nice day.
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Jan 5, 2017 at 01:38 AM.
