C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Tire Size Change - Traction Control Issues - 2007 C6

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 10:36 AM
  #1  
Barn3y's Avatar
Barn3y
Thread Starter
1st Gear
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default Tire Size Change - Traction Control Issues - 2007 C6

Hello,

I recently changed my rear tire size to 305/30/ZR19 from the stock 285/35/ZR19. Ever since this change the cars traction control system comes on at 100MPH. Can you change a setting in the programming to allow for this tire size change? I am somewhat confused that this happened given that the change is minimal (.65"). When you shut the traction control system off it works fine but that really isn't the answer. Any advice?
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 11:04 AM
  #2  
RicK T's Avatar
RicK T
Team Owner
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Default

If in fact the diff is .65 it "might" be too much. And are you certain of the spec? Are you using a general diameter for that tire size or the actual manufacturer's spec for that specific tire? Tire sizes do differ from brand to brand for any given size.

This tire size and front/rear stagger stuff makes my head hurt so I don't try to keep up. I'm sure others will come by with help today so be patient.

For now I'll offer these quotes that might help get you started. Obviously ignore the specific sizes being discussed:


Originally Posted by talon90
Wolfdogs, I'm getting different numbers than you are. I'm showing a difference in diameter of .9" front to rear and a tire to tire difference of .300"

The OEM stagger is 1.2" with your new size tire you have dropped that to .9" (generally right around 1.1" wouldn't cause the problem). My recollection is that the EBCM has an allowance of 5% to accomodate tire wear. In making the change you have also changed the revolutions per mile. Above 70+ may be the sweet spot to aggrivate the wheel speed sensor calculations. Under normal circumstances with stock tires, your front tire would rotate 33 more revolutions than the rear in a mile. With your new size it is only rotating 24 times in that same mile.
Originally Posted by JoesC5
I think he's borderline of what the computer will accept in the front/rear bias.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 11:27 AM
  #3  
Bill Dearborn's Avatar
Bill Dearborn
Tech Contributor
25 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,055
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Default

The stock rear tire diameter is 1.0466 times larger than the front diameter. Assuming you have a stock GY EMT on the front its diameter is 25.7 inches. Stock rear diameter is 26.9 inches. If you took .65 off the stock diameter that leaves you with 26.25 which is just 1.021 larger than the front tire. You are lucky that it only cuts in when you hit 100. If it was any smaller it might cut in as soon as the car starts to move.

To solve the problem you need to go to a smaller diameter front tire or replace the rear tire with the proper diameter. Remember the 1.04 ratio between front and rear. As long as you keep that ratio it doesn't matter what size tires you put on as far as premature activation of TC or Drag Control.

Programming a different tire size into the ECM may change your speedo and odometer readings but will not affect the EBCM which is the module that decides whether the wheels are spinning too fast or not. There is nobody outside of GM or their Supplier who can adjust any of the programming in the EBCM.

Bill
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 11:50 AM
  #4  
RicK T's Avatar
RicK T
Team Owner
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Default

Originally Posted by Bill Dearborn
The stock rear tire diameter is 1.0466 times larger than the front diameter. Assuming you have a stock GY EMT on the front its diameter is 25.7 inches. Stock rear diameter is 26.9 inches. If you took .65 off the stock diameter that leaves you with 26.25 which is just 1.021 larger than the front tire. You are lucky that it only cuts in when you hit 100. If it was any smaller it might cut in as soon as the car starts to move.

To solve the problem you need to go to a smaller diameter front tire or replace the rear tire with the proper diameter. Remember the 1.04 ratio between front and rear. As long as you keep that ratio it doesn't matter what size tires you put on as far as premature activation of TC or Drag Control.

Programming a different tire size into the ECM may change your speedo and odometer readings but will not affect the EBCM which is the module that decides whether the wheels are spinning too fast or not. There is nobody outside of GM or their Supplier who can adjust any of the programming in the EBCM.

Bill
Thanks Bill!

Nice clear, concise explanation and my head doesn't hurt after reading it.

A generic version of that should be a Sticky or clearly available in the FAQ's.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 07:09 PM
  #5  
haljensen's Avatar
haljensen
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
Default

Keep in mind that the size stamped on the tire isn't exact. It's as though each manufacturer had a different size ruler when they measured. A 245/40/18 from one manufacturer may measure @ 25.7" but the same 245/40/18 from a different manufacturer will measure as small as 25.5" or as large as 25.9. Since the calculated diameter is determined from the sidewall width measurement the diameter changes also.

There is no consistancy in reported sizes of tires.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2013 | 07:45 AM
  #6  
jon6.0's Avatar
jon6.0
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
Default

That's why I like Tire Rack's website. They list the manufacturers specs for all the tires they sell. I run a 305/30-19 rear with a 265/35-18 front. They are Michelin PSS's and I have no issues with traction control. If you have the stock width wheels I would recommend a 225/40-18 for a front tire. You may be able to get away with a 235/40-18 front, but it may still mess with your traction control. If you have at least a 9" front wheel, go with the 265/35-18.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2013 | 10:09 AM
  #7  
old motorhead's Avatar
old motorhead
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
Default

I've been running 265/35/18's front and 305/30/19's rear for quite some time. Hankooks on both ends. Never had a problem with numerous strip passes and Mexico runs well in excess of 130 mph.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2013 | 11:30 PM
  #8  
2SlowinTO's Avatar
2SlowinTO
Racer
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 348
Likes: 3
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by Bill Dearborn
The stock rear tire diameter is 1.0466 times larger than the front diameter. Assuming you have a stock GY EMT on the front its diameter is 25.7 inches. Stock rear diameter is 26.9 inches. If you took .65 off the stock diameter that leaves you with 26.25 which is just 1.021 larger than the front tire. You are lucky that it only cuts in when you hit 100. If it was any smaller it might cut in as soon as the car starts to move.

To solve the problem you need to go to a smaller diameter front tire or replace the rear tire with the proper diameter. Remember the 1.04 ratio between front and rear. As long as you keep that ratio it doesn't matter what size tires you put on as far as premature activation of TC or Drag Control.

Bill
How much can you move away from the 1.04 ratio?

I was looking at running C5 rims with snows
225/50R17 fronts & 255/45R18 rears difference 1.18 ratio

That was the closest I could find (prefer going down the 1" to the 17s and 18s for the snow)

I used http://www.sizemytires.com/calculators/compare
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 4, 2013 | 03:29 PM
  #9  
meadowz06's Avatar
meadowz06
Race Director
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 15,678
Likes: 1,097
From: birmingham Alabama
St. Jude Donor '09 and '13
Default

You are going to have to change the rear tires.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Tire Size Change - Traction Control Issues - 2007 C6





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:15 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 11:09:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE