Help with tire sizes / traction control
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,095
Likes: 82
From: NYC
Help with tire sizes / traction control
Whas up brothers. As you may know I’m shopping for some new tires for my 2002 VETTE. I’m using the oem polished thin spoke rims. Fronts are 17x8.5 and the rears are 18x9.5. My question is can I run a 255/40/ZR17 tire for the fronts and a 285/35/ZR18 for the rears. My main concern is I do not want any codes or issues with the traction system using tires with a slightly smaller sidewall. Also how much of the sidewall height is different going from a front tire 45 sidewall to a 40. And from a rear 40 sidewall to a 35 ? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Last edited by OUTAKTRL; May 13, 2026 at 11:45 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,421
Likes: 1,146
From: Dyer, IN
Whas up brothers. As you may know I’m shopping for some new tires for my 2002 VETTE. I’m using the oem polished thin spoke rims. Fronts are 17x8.5 and the rears are 18x9.5. My question is can I run a 255/40/ZR18 tire for the fronts and a 285/35/ZR18 for the rears. My main concern is I do not want any codes or issues with the traction system using tires with a slightly smaller sidewall. Also how much of the sidewall height is different going from a front tire 45 sidewall to a 40. And from a rear 40 sidewall to a 35 ? Any help is greatly appreciated.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ah-issues.html
https://tiresize.com/calculator/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,650
Likes: 1,384
From: Orange County, CA
For the front size you listed, did you mean 255/40/17 ?
On my Z06 for a while I ran 255/40/17 and 285/35/18. No problems with these sizes related to AH/TC. You'll lose almost 3/8" of ground clearance which isn't too bad.
However, 285 is kinda wide for a 9.5" wheel but it's within the acceptable range for most (if not all) 285 tires.
There's a tire size calculator with comparison feature you can use to answer your additional questions: https://www.calculator.net/tire-size-calculator.html
On my Z06 for a while I ran 255/40/17 and 285/35/18. No problems with these sizes related to AH/TC. You'll lose almost 3/8" of ground clearance which isn't too bad.
However, 285 is kinda wide for a 9.5" wheel but it's within the acceptable range for most (if not all) 285 tires.
There's a tire size calculator with comparison feature you can use to answer your additional questions: https://www.calculator.net/tire-size-calculator.html
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 11
Likes: 6
From: Mission Viejo, CA
I recently replaced my tires with Continental Extreme Contact Sport 02 in a 275 / 40/ ZR17 front and a 295 / 35 / ZR 18 in the rear. I am very pleased with the results. I did a lot of shopping around locally in Orange County California and the best deal I could find was with Tucker Tire in Aliso Viejo @ $1390 all in. I got a load of BS from numerous other tire stores who told me such sizes do not exist, are unavailable or wanted to charge me twice as much.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,421
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From: Dyer, IN
I can't speak for later models, but there is a 1" difference between stock C5 front and rear tires, which is close to 4% difference. Some have gone with as little as a .5" difference without negatively impacting TC/AH.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2017
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I'm pretty sure it's a myth that tire sizes will upset the AH/TC/ABS stuff.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Dyer, IN
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2017
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The only thing I've ever heard of that can cause potential AH/TC issues is running a taller front tire, than the rears. Running a square set-up sometimes causes a problem but many times it doesn't. I know for a fact running a taller rear doesn't cause issues. On my former Z06, the rears were 1.9" taller than the fronts and on my convertible, the rears are 1.5" taller. Neither had/has any AH/TC issues.
I choose to believe real-world results.
I choose to believe real-world results.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,421
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From: Dyer, IN
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 192
Likes: 18
From: Central Texas
The only thing I've ever heard of that can cause potential AH/TC issues is running a taller front tire, than the rears. Running a square set-up sometimes causes a problem but many times it doesn't. I know for a fact running a taller rear doesn't cause issues. On my former Z06, the rears were 1.9" taller than the fronts and on my convertible, the rears are 1.5" taller. Neither had/has any AH/TC issues.
I choose to believe real-world results.
I choose to believe real-world results.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,360
Likes: 3,383
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I've gotta replace the 19's on the rear. (Long tire shop story...) nonetheless, I'm going this route, as I can't find matching 19's (no longer produced in the style that I have on the front) to go with the 18's that are on the front. 245/40/18 on the front. Should be 25.7" tall. Rear tire, 295/35/18. Should be 26.1" tall. I don't see a stagger problem with this but value your opinion.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,360
Likes: 3,383
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I've gotta replace the 19's on the rear. (Long tire shop story...) nonetheless, I'm going this route, as I can't find matching 19's (no longer produced in the style that I have on the front) to go with the 18's that are on the front. 245/40/18 on the front. Should be 25.7" tall. Rear tire, 295/35/18. Should be 26.1" tall. I don't see a stagger problem with this but value your opinion.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,095
Likes: 82
From: NYC
USAZR1 or any other members can you check these new tire specs for me too please. Don’t want any traction control or active handling issues or codes. Thx
front- 255/40ZR17
rear - 285/35ZR18
front- 255/40ZR17
rear - 285/35ZR18
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 192
Likes: 18
From: Central Texas
I should have double-checked those front tire specs closer, as all the manufacturers list 25.9" tall as the diameter for a 245/40/18. With a 26.1" tall rear, you're starting to get close to a square set-up. Odds are you won't have any AH/TC issues, just something to think about. One option would be to step up to either a 255/35/18 or 265/35/18 sizing.