Time for new tires?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,408
Likes: 61
From: Centerville OH "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane"
CI 3-4-5-6-7 & 9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08
Time for new tires?
I've got an '04, original tires, 17k miles.
Tread is still good, just wondering how the EMTs hold up over time.
Tread is still good, just wondering how the EMTs hold up over time.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,408
Likes: 61
From: Centerville OH "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane"
CI 3-4-5-6-7 & 9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08
That's my thinking as well. Around town no problem, but will be driving Route 66 next summer. I'll probably get new ones in the spring unless convinced otherwise.
Last edited by kvozel; Dec 11, 2009 at 02:41 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,915
Likes: 10
From: Jesuit Bend Louisiana
As long as your not putting your car on the track or driving over 100 MPH I would keep your tires on. Heck, they are EMT's.....
Just check for any dry rotting.....
I'm in the same boat, 2004 with 7,600 miles with the original tires......
Just check for any dry rotting.....
I'm in the same boat, 2004 with 7,600 miles with the original tires......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
The Goodyear EMT's are notorious about getting noisy over time. The more heat cycles you put them through the harder the rubber gets and the noisier they get.
Are they safe to drive on? In my opinion, yes.
Will you notice the car is quieter (along with better grip) if you replace them, absolutely...
Your call...
Good luck... GUSTO
Are they safe to drive on? In my opinion, yes.
Will you notice the car is quieter (along with better grip) if you replace them, absolutely...
Your call...
Good luck... GUSTO
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 1
From: Mohegan Lake New York
time for tires,undecided what to buy,did some research, it was pointed out that tires are not plain rubber but a number of compounds which over time deterioate rendering your tires ineffective for it's intended use.From the information I gathered tires are very effective for four years from date of mfg.the chemical compounds deterioate after that they get hard and although they look like the same tires maybe with decent tread, rest assured they are NOT the same tires you had when new.as previously mentioned if no rot or visible defects should be absoulte safe to use, if it were my "B" OR "C" car I wouldn't give it a second thought but corvettes are special cars and thus special treatment.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
The tire industry wanted 6 years as life of tires, but could not get government agreement. Your tires ARE safe. I would run to about 10 years. Check sidewalls and in between treads for cracking. Don't mistake belts between treads for cracks. If the care has been garaged (out of sun) tires will last much longer.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 23,220
Likes: 3
From: HOUSTON
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '15, '19
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Danville CA
1. How old were the tires when they were installed?? If they are original, then they should have been pretty fresh. To determine when they were 'born' reference this site:
http://www.tiredefectslawyer.com/aged-tires.php
2. How do you drive?? If you are only using the car to drive to the local grocery store, then your risks are minimized. However, if you drive at high speeds (observing all local speed limits, of course) for prolonged periods of time, then your risks are increased.
3. What type of driving performance do you desire?? Generally speaking, newer tires are softer than old (the compound has not degraded), so they provide greater traction.
Cheers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
i have heard that you should replace them after 5 or 6 years reguardless of the tread condition. i would bet they can last up to around 7 years though. after that, i would definitely replace them.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 234
Likes: 4
From: Boonsboro MD
I agree and would rather be safe than sorry. I'd just like to verify the age of my run-flats before plucking down the big bucks for a new set. I brought my 2000 used about a year ago.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 18,048
Likes: 53
From: long Island NY
Don't be the next bad story,its time for new tires.Plus you won't believe how bad they are to you put new ones on.I replaced mine at 10,000 miles with plenty of tread they were just hard and traction sucked.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 2
From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Mine are 8 years old with 41K on them and the side walls still look like new. I plan on changing them at around 45K. I don't think I would trust them at 150 but they are fine for normal driving.
Mike V
Mike V
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 553
Likes: 97
I dumped those rock hard, low grip, squeaky EMT runflats several years ago and put on non-runflat GoodYear F1 GSD3's. They fit the C5 perfectly. WOW! What a difference, you can actually use the throttle to steer consistently, no squeals around slow turns or on parking lots and the ride is incredibly smooth. Also, wet handling is the best I've felt, braking, launching or sweeping turns. They are super quiet too, low speed you can't even hear them roll, even at elevated freeway speeds they are silky smooth.
I drive my Vette a lot. I have 40k+ on the fronts and a new set in the garage just waiting, the rears only last me about 25k but I have a lead foot.
I drive my Vette a lot. I have 40k+ on the fronts and a new set in the garage just waiting, the rears only last me about 25k but I have a lead foot.
