C5 new tires
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 8
C5 new tires
Good day to all, GRAMPA K. here. This is my first post to Corvette Forum. I finally bought my first corvette, at age 66, a couple months ago and have been adressing most of the "common issues" of the C5. I live in Michigan so "Smooth", wife got to name the car, is about to be tucked away until spring. Last thing I want to get done is new tires b4 I put it to bed. Car is COMPLETELY BONE STOCK and that is the way it will continue. Any suggestions as to brand or specific tire? This car WILL NOT see any "track time" and is for "OLD FOLKS CRUISING".
Kevin S. Dodge, AKA GrampaK
Kevin S. Dodge, AKA GrampaK
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,219
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From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
Tires are dated and degrade over time. Many owners have changed their tires due to age and dry rot rather than mileage and tread wear. I'd wait until spring for a tire purchase if I were you.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,401
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From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '18
Do you plan to drive it only on nice days, or all weather?
I've been really happy with my Firestone FireHawk Indy tires. I bought them because the price was right, and they had a 90-day money back guarantee if I didn't like them.
These tires are best just for sunny days, and good enough IF you get caught in the rain. But they are not an ideal all weather tire.
If you want something for all weather, get the Continentals or Michelins.
But I agree, don't replace them now.
Wait until spring.
Opinions vary, but tires regardless of mileage, should be replaced at 7 years from their BORN ON DATE, not their BOUGHT or 'PUT to USE' date.
You want fresh tires in the spring. Not new tires that have been on the car sitting and flat-spotting for 3-4 months.
I've been really happy with my Firestone FireHawk Indy tires. I bought them because the price was right, and they had a 90-day money back guarantee if I didn't like them.
These tires are best just for sunny days, and good enough IF you get caught in the rain. But they are not an ideal all weather tire.
If you want something for all weather, get the Continentals or Michelins.
But I agree, don't replace them now.
Wait until spring.
Opinions vary, but tires regardless of mileage, should be replaced at 7 years from their BORN ON DATE, not their BOUGHT or 'PUT to USE' date.
You want fresh tires in the spring. Not new tires that have been on the car sitting and flat-spotting for 3-4 months.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 1,682
From: North Coast
Change them anytime as the tires you get now or later will likely be near the same date. Look for sales and discounts and chose them then.
I normally buy Goodyears but they were limited on size and price. Never been a Michelin fan.
I went to Nitto G2 555 from work. The price is good and they are find for street driving. They are a softer tire and will wear faster but odds are you will not drive enough to wear them out in 10 years.
Note the time line many post up is only a recommendation. Tires can last longer but it depends on the tires, the compound, how and where they are stores, temps and light. You can go longer but watch for cracks and if the tires are getting harder.
Tires exposed to sun and electric motor Ozone can really decay fast. So can racing compounds. They can get hard and lose traction even if they do not crack. It just takes some common sense. Like tire pressures they recommend a pressure but depending on the weight, the use and the tire it can vary some in how it wears and will need adjusted.
I normally buy Goodyears but they were limited on size and price. Never been a Michelin fan.
I went to Nitto G2 555 from work. The price is good and they are find for street driving. They are a softer tire and will wear faster but odds are you will not drive enough to wear them out in 10 years.
Note the time line many post up is only a recommendation. Tires can last longer but it depends on the tires, the compound, how and where they are stores, temps and light. You can go longer but watch for cracks and if the tires are getting harder.
Tires exposed to sun and electric motor Ozone can really decay fast. So can racing compounds. They can get hard and lose traction even if they do not crack. It just takes some common sense. Like tire pressures they recommend a pressure but depending on the weight, the use and the tire it can vary some in how it wears and will need adjusted.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 8
GrampaK
Thank You to all respondents!! It has been 45 years since my brother and I built big block chevy motors for his camaro, did a lot of street racing in the north end of Flint, Michigan. First ticket was DRAG RACING/EXCESS OF 100 IN A 35. $244bucks and 6 point later, stuck to building motors and letting someone else drive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
Kevin, I think the first question you have to answer is 'do I want run-flats'? The car has no spare tire and originally came with run-flat tires.
There are not many choices in your tire size that have run-flat capability.
Tire Rack has a good tool to show you what is available. Click on "Tires", fill in the information and go from there.
There are not many choices in your tire size that have run-flat capability.
Tire Rack has a good tool to show you what is available. Click on "Tires", fill in the information and go from there.
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If you are looking for all season capable tires, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 is a great choice. If you just want a good summer tire, check out the Hankook Ventus V12 EVO2.
Pro
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General G-Max AS-05 all season or General G-Max RS summer only. Best tires out there for the buck. Got the AS-05's on my daily driver and the RS's on my C5 and have nothing but great things to say about both.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Dardenne Prairie Missouri
Welcome to the forum and to Corvettes!! Like someone said here, doesn't matter if you buy them now or in the spring a few months isn't going to likely change the manufacturer date of the tire. I'd look for a good sale. Everyone here has thrown out a good tire or 2. I'll throw in that Continental Extreme Contact Sport 02 are good Summer tires. I have the previous version on my C5 currently. They also have an all season called Continental Extreme Contact DWS06 Plus that I have on my wife's Camaro that I really like but never tried them on my C5. I haven't done run flats on the corvette for years but I carry a AAA card and a tire patch kit for emergencies.
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '25
I'm in search of tires for my '03 Corvette. My plan is to have both an All-Season set and a Summer set. I enjoy driving my car throughout the year, except when roads are salted during winter. Ideally, I'd use the Summer tires from May to September and switch to the All-Season ones from October to April.
My current radar -
Summer: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...e&autoModClar=
A/S: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...e&autoModClar=
My current radar -
Summer: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...e&autoModClar=
A/S: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...e&autoModClar=
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2021
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From: FLORIDA
I'm in search of tires for my '03 Corvette. My plan is to have both an All-Season set and a Summer set. I enjoy driving my car throughout the year, except when roads are salted during winter. Ideally, I'd use the Summer tires from May to September and switch to the All-Season ones from October to April.
My current radar -
Summer: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...e&autoModClar=
A/S: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...e&autoModClar=
My current radar -
Summer: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...e&autoModClar=
A/S: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...e&autoModClar=
Last edited by Trickskier; Dec 15, 2023 at 05:24 PM.
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '25
Personally I do not see any reason to have 2 sets of tires unless your going to track your car. I live in Florida and track my C5 about once a month (mostly autocross). The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is a great all around tire for the money. Just my 2 cents.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
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From: West Virginia
Wait till spring then put new tires on. Lot of BS about tire life. Most companies recommend annual inspections after 5-7 years and changing after 10 or so. My C5 is 26 years old and is on its 3rd set of tires. Always garage kept - important as it is UV radiation that ages tires. The original Goodyears were removed prematurely as once they got miles on them, they got "hard" with a tendency to encourage the car to loop in a straight line in the wet with even modest throttle. The Firehawks were much, much better, and I ran them for years. Until they were pretty much bald in fact. Currently have Michelin Sport All Seasons on which are just great. Better than the previous tires definitely. And more grip than can safely be used on the public roads.
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Elverson, PA
I'm happy with the Firestone Firehawk Indy tires. They're summer tires so I'm careful not to drive when it's cold outside. I've thought about all season tires as I do take the vette out in the winter on nice days. In Eastern PA today it will be in the 50's so I will be taking the vette out today.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2021
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Welcome to the forum Kevin. I had a set of the Continental DWS06+ installed in the spring and am very happy with them. Relatively quiet, good ride despite going to bigger wheels, and plenty of grip for my tame street driving. I carry a small inflator in the back just in case, but usually don't stray too far from home anyways. Can't go wrong with the tires mentioned by others as well, so you have the luxury of shopping for price and discounts.
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2023
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My C5 has BFG G-FORCE COMP-2 AS all season tires on it. Not run flats. They were on it when I bought it. So far I have been happy with them. Handles well and they are great in the rain. I have put 4K on them since July.