C5 new tires
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 682
Likes: 275
From: Cincinnati Ohio
I am on my second set of Michelin run flats over 9 years of ownership. I like the feeling of some level of security that I can drive the car to get a flat tire repair rather than waiting for a tow truck that can transport my car without loading or unloading damage to it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 1,682
From: North Coast
One thing to keep in mind is run flats are heavy, expensive and ride harsh.
If you choose to go with out run flats generally a small compressor for $35 in the trunk 90% of the time will get you where you need to go.
I have added this to all my cars even with spares as the side of the road is not a good place to work with people driving distracted.
With tires today few go flat fast and most get a slow leak. I just top off the air and drive it to a shop or home then remove it for repair.
I also avoid stop leak as it just makes a un necessary mess in most cases.
Flats years ago were a very common thing. But with the advent of the modern tire they generally will not go flat immediately. The item will stick in the tread and leak slowly. Many times people will have an object in the tire and never notice till they rotate tires.
If you choose to go with out run flats generally a small compressor for $35 in the trunk 90% of the time will get you where you need to go.
I have added this to all my cars even with spares as the side of the road is not a good place to work with people driving distracted.
With tires today few go flat fast and most get a slow leak. I just top off the air and drive it to a shop or home then remove it for repair.
I also avoid stop leak as it just makes a un necessary mess in most cases.
Flats years ago were a very common thing. But with the advent of the modern tire they generally will not go flat immediately. The item will stick in the tread and leak slowly. Many times people will have an object in the tire and never notice till they rotate tires.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 622
Likes: 169
From: Montgomery Texas
There is also the concern of the tires flat-spotting due to sitting for months at a time, without moving the vehicle. If it were me, I would wait until Spring to replace the tires.
When you replace the tires, that would also be a good time to replace the batteries in the TPMS sensors (if so equipped), if not the sensors themselves. The batteries tend to last for only a few years. Note that there are two types of sensors and they are not interchangeable.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 251
Likes: 60
From: Peru Indiana
several years ago my 98 needed tires . I was not thrilled with the idea of spending 2 , 3 4 hundred per tire . I did a lot of research and ran across Achilles sports . Before they split off on their on , they were partnered with manufactures like Pirelli . I bought 2 from Walmart and 2 from Tires Easy . Had a local tire shop mount and balance total came in at 398$ . Have put around 6000 miles on them . That includes a round trip on vacation of about 1300 miles . Not seeing excessive wear . Actually not seeing much wear at all .
And like the OP my C5 is stock and is a weekend cruiser .
And like the OP my C5 is stock and is a weekend cruiser .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 748
I have Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on my Stingray and they grip well, especially on a sharp turn on an interstate highway that I often use. I ran Sumitomo tires on my C4 and Continentals on my C6 and C7. All did well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 167
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
I am on my second set of Michelin run flats over 9 years of ownership. I like the feeling of some level of security that I can drive the car to get a flat tire repair rather than waiting for a tow truck that can transport my car without loading or unloading damage to it.
Last edited by RedC5; Dec 17, 2023 at 10:16 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 30
Likes: 12
From: North Jersey
I also run the Firestone Firehawk Indy tires. I live in North Jersey, don't use the car in the rain or snow and have no complaints at all. They are summer tires, but if you are putting the car away in the winter, I'm sure you would be pleased with them.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 245
Likes: 14
From: Doral Fl
I agree best tire I ever had was the Hankook Ventus v12 evo’s ….. I can’t get the size I want on the all square 18 inch , so went with the Continental tires….. but when it was stock the Hankooks from Tire Rack was a great deal
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 213
From: Auburn Ohio
And Them... Out of left field
...... Bought a decent 2001 with....
Wait For it...
Sumitomo’s. !!
The Cheapest tires out there!!
Previous owners “Sell the car with new tires choice”
And Made in Original fit 17 and 18’s for stock rims
I’m actually a closet Tire Fanatic, and “somewhat sporty” driver
So I can say
Reasonably decent in the Dry. Fair to good in the wet
Surprisingly decent ride quality
Once you get over the “Shame and Embarrassment” of
“Not Having What the Cool Kids have” factor
You realize they are An Exceptional Bang for the buck
Round....
Balanced out well
Smooth @ illegal speeds
There you have it
C’mon Down
The Cheap Seats are Just Fine!
USA-1
Save The Wave
...... Bought a decent 2001 with....
Wait For it...
Sumitomo’s. !!
The Cheapest tires out there!!
Previous owners “Sell the car with new tires choice”
And Made in Original fit 17 and 18’s for stock rims
I’m actually a closet Tire Fanatic, and “somewhat sporty” driver
So I can say
Reasonably decent in the Dry. Fair to good in the wet
Surprisingly decent ride quality
Once you get over the “Shame and Embarrassment” of
“Not Having What the Cool Kids have” factor
You realize they are An Exceptional Bang for the buck
Round....
Balanced out well
Smooth @ illegal speeds
There you have it
C’mon Down
The Cheap Seats are Just Fine!
USA-1
Save The Wave
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 371
Likes: 38
From: Madison Alabama
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Tires Gets My Recommendation.
I’ve run Michelin’s on my 1999 C5 since it was new. The first 10/11 years I owned my Vette (1999 – 2010) I lived and worked in Germany and with the weather conditions as well as the speeds on the Autobahns (100-150 mph) the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires never gave me any cause for concern in either
performance or safety.
Just My 2¢ !
I’ve run Michelin’s on my 1999 C5 since it was new. The first 10/11 years I owned my Vette (1999 – 2010) I lived and worked in Germany and with the weather conditions as well as the speeds on the Autobahns (100-150 mph) the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires never gave me any cause for concern in either
performance or safety.
Just My 2¢ !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,211
Likes: 167
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Tires Gets My Recommendation.
I’ve run Michelin’s on my 1999 C5 since it was new. The first 10/11 years I owned my Vette (1999 – 2010) I lived and worked in Germany and with the weather conditions as well as the speeds on the Autobahns (100-150 mph) the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires never gave me any cause for concern in either
performance or safety.
Just My 2¢ !
I’ve run Michelin’s on my 1999 C5 since it was new. The first 10/11 years I owned my Vette (1999 – 2010) I lived and worked in Germany and with the weather conditions as well as the speeds on the Autobahns (100-150 mph) the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires never gave me any cause for concern in either
performance or safety.
Just My 2¢ !
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 8
Thank You to all who responded to my post. Went with the Michelin run flats, bought them at Discount Tire on a sale and won't pick them up until April. "Smooth" is going to Livernois Motor Sports in February to have the harmonic balancer replaced, tensioner pulleys, serpentine belt, plugs and wires. Any other suggestions as to maintenance? Already have done oil, filter, air filter, MAF cleaning. Having a ball with the car.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 1,407
From: Canada
Thank You to all who responded to my post. Went with the Michelin run flats, bought them at Discount Tire on a sale and won't pick them up until April. "Smooth" is going to Livernois Motor Sports in February to have the harmonic balancer replaced, tensioner pulleys, serpentine belt, plugs and wires. Any other suggestions as to maintenance? Already have done oil, filter, air filter, MAF cleaning. Having a ball with the car.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 1,040
The little bitty patch of tire contact is everything!!.... Like Safety... Ones trust should be questioned when driving ones Corvette with its quality of tires... Do you trust your driving skills? .. Do you trust tires that are not Michelin?.... Eh Big Guy?... Not me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
Of course. The vast majority of tires sold around the world are not Michelin. They are probably not even the most common brand sold by @Discount Tire but it wouldn't surprise me if they were the highest total dollar amount sold.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,900
Likes: 1,842
From: Hot Springs AR
Thank You to all who responded to my post. Went with the Michelin run flats, bought them at Discount Tire on a sale and won't pick them up until April. "Smooth" is going to Livernois Motor Sports in February to have the harmonic balancer replaced, tensioner pulleys, serpentine belt, plugs and wires. Any other suggestions as to maintenance? Already have done oil, filter, air filter, MAF cleaning. Having a ball with the car.
BTW, I know you just bought tires, but here's another vote for Sumitomo HTR line of tires. Got almost 300k on our C5, and between her and our other cars, over the years probably have >500k miles on Sumis. No problems on the road.
Welcome to the nuthouse, and have a good one,
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 106
From: The Natures Coast/Caribbean
Get tires in spring, Me personally have run Kuhmo ECSTA, very pleased with them. Hen in PA I got a set of Hankook Ventus V12, and again very please with them, by the way non run flats. Buy a portable compressor and repair kit, most of the time you can repair without taking wheel off. Stay away from run craps, I like a soft riding tire, the suspension is harsh enough, those run flats are terrible ride and noise. I forgot to mention get a lug power tool if you work in your car, I’m 68 I bought one last year and makes it easier when checking breaks or replacing wheel hubs. I only had three flats maybe four since 2006. Happy tire hunting and drive it everywhere.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 28
Likes: 10
From: Bowling Green, KY
Hey VJ, I read your post and checked against my car. I have Ventus V12 on it. They have been very good. Replacing tires now but when I checked Discount Tire told me C5 stock size on either front or rear was discontinued so I could not get a matching set. Mounting the Firestone Indy 500 as we speak.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 12,414
Likes: 1,750
From: DFW TX
