2 tires or 4?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 618
From: Houston Texas
After I hit a pothole that damaged the sidewall of my rt front Michelin Super Sport, I replaced both fronts (worn more than the rears) with AS3s. The rears are still a Super Sports.
Understanding the difference in handling characteristics I’m very careful in my driving especially on damp/wet roads.
Understanding the difference in handling characteristics I’m very careful in my driving especially on damp/wet roads.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 15,066
Likes: 1,613
From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
The only reason I'd go with those saying replace all four is your rear tires are almost gone anyway. Might as well get it all done at once.
If you're replacing like for like, i.e. same brand, same model tire, and if you had substantial tread on the rear tires and they were less than six years old, I would have only replaced the front. When I was considering replacing my front tires, the rears still had almost half the usable tread depth and were not yet 6 year old so I had no plans to replace them. I did replace all four because I bought a wheel tire package deal.
If you're replacing like for like, i.e. same brand, same model tire, and if you had substantial tread on the rear tires and they were less than six years old, I would have only replaced the front. When I was considering replacing my front tires, the rears still had almost half the usable tread depth and were not yet 6 year old so I had no plans to replace them. I did replace all four because I bought a wheel tire package deal.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 802
Likes: 122
From: Goodyear Arizona
To all, thank you for your advice. I will be replacing all four when the time comes, largely because of the information presented here, especially regarding the tires' age (over five years). BTW, the car has never been in the rain or on wet roads, thanks to living in the desert.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,259
Likes: 4,363
From: Chirper Island
I've never replaced all four on any Vette, yet!
There is usually at least 10,000 miles between, and once that happens, then the tires are never on the same wear-out schedule. That's not even including the not-so-infrequent tire destruction incidents.
I also, have only replaced only one tire on an axel once. That was on a road trip, and as soon as I got home, I replaced the other side, so they would be at the same wear.
Generally, I replace both on an axel at the same time, and I have also had two different tread patterns and RF and NRF on the car until the other axel could catch up (I would never mix tread styles or RF and NRF on the same axel except in an emergency).
eta: age has never been an issue for me, but this would be a time to replace all four, just for GP.
There is usually at least 10,000 miles between, and once that happens, then the tires are never on the same wear-out schedule. That's not even including the not-so-infrequent tire destruction incidents.
I also, have only replaced only one tire on an axel once. That was on a road trip, and as soon as I got home, I replaced the other side, so they would be at the same wear.
Generally, I replace both on an axel at the same time, and I have also had two different tread patterns and RF and NRF on the car until the other axel could catch up (I would never mix tread styles or RF and NRF on the same axel except in an emergency).
eta: age has never been an issue for me, but this would be a time to replace all four, just for GP.
Last edited by owc6; Mar 28, 2020 at 10:43 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 420
From: Eastern NC
Being as the rears are that close to being worn i would go ahead and do all 4. Thats crazy to have that many miles on the tires. I have 7500 miles on mine and the rears are going to need changing shortly.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,466
Likes: 174
From: San Jose Ca
I've never replaced all four tires on a 'vette. The wear rates are different. You don't say how old the rears are but the date code will tell you. If they're more than 5 or six years old I'd more consider changing all four, especially if you could get the tire shop to discount the deal. If you lived close to me and had Z51 sizes I'd say get four and give me the rears!
