Tire Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Tolland CT
Tire Question
When I purchased my 2005 vette the previous owner put the slightly worn original tires back on the car when he traded it in. I plan to go on a several thousand mile trip in the fall with the vette and am concerned a bit with the tires. While not even worn halfway yet the rubber to me seems a bit hard/shiny and although not cracking or having evidence of dry rot I'm thinking I should replace them for safety reasons. I have talked with some friends and surprisingly have had a mixed response.
Maybe I should have a bit of fun and wear the tires down then replace them
, what do you folks think, am I pushing it a bit using these tires?
Maybe I should have a bit of fun and wear the tires down then replace them
, what do you folks think, am I pushing it a bit using these tires?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 25,105
Likes: 3,156
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
How do they grip? If they are hard and do not grip it is time to replace them. If this is the case have some fun and wear them out!!!!
Good choices for non run flats are Hankook Evo and Nitto Invo. I have had both and they are great tires for a narrow body.
Good choices for non run flats are Hankook Evo and Nitto Invo. I have had both and they are great tires for a narrow body.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,044
Likes: 9,808
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
More than likely not. Depending on when the car was built the tires could be up to 8 years old. I doubt they have any dry rot as that seems to be more of an issue with tires that are 3 or 4 years older than yours. If your tires haven't seen a lot of sun exposure I wouldn't worry about it.
Bill
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
I also have an '05 (19K miles) with original G/Y's and I'm planning a 2K mile trip end of July and another 1K trip to Carlisle in August, tires are 7+ years old and fronts (rather strange) are worn more than rears. I'm changing to Michelin RF's next week. If you're staying local before your trip I'm sure the G/Y's will be fine but for a long trip I like the peace of mind of new tires under me. Maybe just me....
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 158
I would first have a Corvette tire guy check them out. All things considered you are probably OK to ride on the tires IF they ride good and perform well for you now. I cut corners saving $ on most things I buy except tires, brakes and safety stuff I don't. If you are having any second thoughts I would change them out for new. You will feel better about it when you exercise the 430+ horses.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
I also have an '05 (19K miles) with original G/Y's and I'm planning a 2K mile trip end of July and another 1K trip to Carlisle in August, tires are 7+ years old and fronts (rather strange) are worn more than rears. I'm changing to Michelin RF's next week. If you're staying local before your trip I'm sure the G/Y's will be fine but for a long trip I like the peace of mind of new tires under me. Maybe just me....
I was told that if tires are over 5 years old replace them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 550
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Tire Rack says:
"Unfortunately no one is absolutely sure of how long tires will last because of the many variables. Heavily loaded tires on vehicles stored outdoors in sunny, scorching hot climates and only driven occasionally face some of the most severe service conditions and potentially have the shortest calendar lifespan. In contrast, lightly loaded tires on vehicles parked in garages and driven daily in moderate climates experience some of the least severe service conditions and potentially have the longest lifespan."
"The NHTSA tire aging field study also indicated a strong correlation of the speed rating with tire durability, with higher speed-rated tires losing the least capability with increasing calendar age."
"Our experience has been that when properly stored and cared for, most street tires have a useful life in service of between six to ten years."
"Unfortunately no one is absolutely sure of how long tires will last because of the many variables. Heavily loaded tires on vehicles stored outdoors in sunny, scorching hot climates and only driven occasionally face some of the most severe service conditions and potentially have the shortest calendar lifespan. In contrast, lightly loaded tires on vehicles parked in garages and driven daily in moderate climates experience some of the least severe service conditions and potentially have the longest lifespan."
"The NHTSA tire aging field study also indicated a strong correlation of the speed rating with tire durability, with higher speed-rated tires losing the least capability with increasing calendar age."
"Our experience has been that when properly stored and cared for, most street tires have a useful life in service of between six to ten years."
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8,022
Likes: 8
From: Stafford VA, home of our wolf den. No house break ins to date.
I would first have a Corvette tire guy check them out. All things considered you are probably OK to ride on the tires IF they ride good and perform well for you now. I cut corners saving $ on most things I buy except tires, brakes and safety stuff I don't. If you are having any second thoughts I would change them out for new. You will feel better about it when you exercise the 430+ horses.
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Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Tolland CT
Thanks for the responses, I am leaning toward replacing the tires, now the fun is deciding on a tire. I am considering the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S plus ZP, living in New England (CT) where the roads really are in bad shape plus the fact that I love to drive in the fall which means wet leaves and the need for All Season Tires. Anyone have these on their car that would care to share there experience or offer other options. Thanks again - Jeff
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,792
Likes: 98
From: Marlborough Ma
Thanks for the responses, I am leaning toward replacing the tires, now the fun is deciding on a tire. I am considering the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S plus ZP, living in New England (CT) where the roads really are in bad shape plus the fact that I love to drive in the fall which means wet leaves and the need for All Season Tires. Anyone have these on their car that would care to share there experience or offer other options. Thanks again - Jeff
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
Thanks for the responses, I am leaning toward replacing the tires, now the fun is deciding on a tire. I am considering the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S plus ZP, living in New England (CT) where the roads really are in bad shape plus the fact that I love to drive in the fall which means wet leaves and the need for All Season Tires. Anyone have these on their car that would care to share there experience or offer other options. Thanks again - Jeff
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 37,575
Likes: 52
From: Lincoln NE
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I have had a bad set, and Michelin knew it (and it wasn't my four, it was an inherent, design flaw)--but that was a very long time ago. Considering Michelin America's response it took me a long time to go back to their brand. Actually, until the PS2ZP of '11 (I have a long memory). 
If OP wants some more impressions, ck with Gearhead Jim re his experiences with the tire you're looking at, altho I think the general consensus is the A/S is a very good tire, maybe almost up to the level of Michelin's more "summery" tire, the PS2 ZP (but lasts longer than the PS2).
If OP wants some more impressions, ck with Gearhead Jim re his experiences with the tire you're looking at, altho I think the general consensus is the A/S is a very good tire, maybe almost up to the level of Michelin's more "summery" tire, the PS2 ZP (but lasts longer than the PS2).
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 37,575
Likes: 52
From: Lincoln NE
I have had a bad set, and Michelin knew it (and it wasn't my four, it was an inherent, design flaw)--but that was a very long time ago. Considering Michelin America's response it took me a long time to go back to their brand. Actually, until the PS2ZP of '11 (I have a long memory).
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
When I purchased my 2005 vette the previous owner put the slightly worn original tires back on the car when he traded it in. I plan to go on a several thousand mile trip in the fall with the vette and am concerned a bit with the tires. While not even worn halfway yet the rubber to me seems a bit hard/shiny and although not cracking or having evidence of dry rot I'm thinking I should replace them for safety reasons. I have talked with some friends and surprisingly have had a mixed response.
Maybe I should have a bit of fun and wear the tires down then replace them, what do you folks think, am I pushing it a bit using these tires?
Maybe I should have a bit of fun and wear the tires down then replace them
, what do you folks think, am I pushing it a bit using these tires?
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX