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Old Jan 2, 2020 | 06:09 PM
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Default When to replace tires

im starting to look for a used C7 now ,and wondering about how many miles a C7 can go before it needs tires ,and a ball park figure of what they cost thanks for the help Bill
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Old Jan 2, 2020 | 06:32 PM
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I have just shy of 12,000 miles on my 2017 Stingray -- and all four tires appear to have slightly more than half of the tread remaining. With a non-Z51 Stingray, I suppose 25 to 30 thousand miles is about what you can expect to get from the OEM tires. Z51, GS and Z06 cars use a different tire, which might have a shorter life.

As far as the cost goes, I estimate that replacing the OEM Michelin rubber (run-flats) will be about $1200 to $1500 for all four tires (base Stingray - 19" rear tires and 18" tires in the front).


Last edited by JK 23112; Jan 2, 2020 at 06:33 PM.
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Old Jan 2, 2020 | 06:49 PM
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When you do your shopping, you can take a tire depth gauge and measure the tread depth. If it comes out to 5/32 or less, you will need tires soon after buying. Tire rack can tell you the cost including installation charges in your area
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Old Jan 2, 2020 | 08:00 PM
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14K Miles out of the rear 20'' rim size.The alignment was off.The fronts are over 23k and still got some meat.Not babied in the corners unless over 95 degrees air temps and below 40.
The higher the blacktop temps the faster the rubber disappears.Especially maxing out your sticking speed.
Discount tire direct had the best price for 20 inch rears at 500 ea.Plus mount and balance.Not many can do the Corvette rims.Be very selective who does the mounting.

Last edited by DALE#3; Jan 2, 2020 at 08:01 PM.
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Old Jan 3, 2020 | 01:52 AM
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You don't need a depth gauge. Just look at the wear marks when car shopping... that's why they are there. Buy, drive, ENJOY!
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Old Jan 3, 2020 | 06:53 AM
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My tires have never lasted as long as some of those I've read about here. I don't slide my car around, or smoke tires, but I drive a bit spirited from time to time. Nothing I'd consider "hard". No track days at all. That said, my friends and I get between 10,000 and 12,000 miles on our Z06's before new tires are needed.

Be sure you look at the inside 1" of tread on all 4 tires. It's common on Z06's and Grand Sports for the alignment setting to have a lot of negative camber for better handling. IF that's the case, the inside of the tires can be worn much more than the rest of the tire. Sometimes, that can be easily overlooked if your not looking specifically at the inside edges.

Good luck on finding a nice one!

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Old Jan 3, 2020 | 07:42 AM
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When mine get to where the tread depth is getting close to the wear bars, I replace the tires. I really start looking at about 4/32nds of tread depth.
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Old Jan 3, 2020 | 09:10 AM
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Mileage varies by driver and alignment. But use a gauge or feel for the wear bars. When level with tread they are at 4/32.
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Old Jan 3, 2020 | 09:23 AM
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thanks guys for the information!!!
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Old Jan 3, 2020 | 05:52 PM
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A couple issues of which to be aware:
1) C7's come with a factory "track" alignment that tends to wear the inside portion of tires faster than outsides. If not changed, expect most factory PSS tires to be done at ~15,000 miles which will vary with driving style. With a more neutral street alignment, that goes to over 20,000
2) Any sport tires have softer compounds than normal tires. As such, they tend to age faster. If a tire is over 4 years old, be very careful to look for small cracks in the tread. It happens as the rubber gets hard. You'll notice a lot less traction as these tire age.

A budget of $1200-$1500 is about right for replacements. You can get under $1k if you go away from Michelin and away from run-flats.
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Old Jan 3, 2020 | 06:38 PM
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Originally Posted by DALE#3
...Not many can do the Corvette rims.Be very selective who does the mounting.
What makes the Corvette different than any other car? Just curious because I'm getting a second set of wheels and some all seasons mounted.
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Old Jan 3, 2020 | 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by joemessman
Mileage varies by driver and alignment. But use a gauge or feel for the wear bars. When level with tread they are at 4/32.
The wear bars, by law, indicate you’ve reached the legal limit of 2/32nd inch...
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Old Jan 3, 2020 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by TXshaggy
The wear bars, by law, indicate you’ve reached the legal limit of 2/32nd inch...
I stand corrected. Thank you.
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Old Jan 3, 2020 | 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by R3TRO
What makes the Corvette different than any other car? Just curious because I'm getting a second set of wheels and some all seasons mounted.
Not sure what others have But these Fat Cast not forged rims are bending and cracking with minimal use.They are so fragile.Just look how thin the flanges are.
A touchless tire machine.Meaning slight pressure on the flanges.

Breaking the bead is dun on the floor squeezed with 2 arms contacting tire only

Lighted up by GM To save weight and cheapen out being Cast manufactured.This is a 20 inch rear(Bent of coarse)
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Old Jan 4, 2020 | 11:10 AM
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When I replaced the tires on my 17 Z51 at 28,000 miles all four tires were at either 3/32 or 4/32.
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Old Jan 4, 2020 | 01:21 PM
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This may help. It’s a poll I conducted last summer to find out at what mileage owners replaced their tires.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...oem-tires.html
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Old Jan 5, 2020 | 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by DALE#3
Not sure what others have But these Fat Cast not forged rims are bending and cracking with minimal use.They are so fragile.Just look how thin the flanges are.
A touchless tire machine.Meaning slight pressure on the flanges.

Breaking the bead is dun on the floor squeezed with 2 arms contacting tire only

Lighted up by GM To save weight and cheapen out being Cast manufactured.This is a 20 inch rear(Bent of coarse)
Thanks for the explanation! I was going to have DiscountTire mount my tires, I'll see what they use.
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Old Jan 7, 2020 | 05:48 PM
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My wife and I don't like to have to slow down when it rains. Not being crazy, just used to doing 1+ hour commutes each way at 70-75. The first time we feel a little aqua planning we start thinking about tires. May not buy them right away but knowing we need to be careful is important. We have bought new tires at 4/32s. Time of year also affects our decision. Last fall my wife had started a new job and was actually living w/ our daughter 150 miles away and coming home only on the weekend. Her Mustang GT tires were all 4-5/32s but possible bad weather on her way up and down Rte 81 in Va worried me so we got her a new set anyway. Had she been doing a normal local commute they would have gotten her through the winter. All this is about a daily driver. On a hobby/don't have to drive it car, I tend to run them thinner. BTW we have had fantastic results from the Conti DWS tires on the Mustang. I just ordered wheels and tires for my base 2019 Stingray and talked to Tire Rack about them vs Michelin AS3+. His take is the Mich may have a tiny edge in dry traction/cornering while the Contis are a slightly better ride and slightly less noisy. So I have the Contis coming.
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