Tire Replacement - What Age Should You Replace?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 306
Likes: 86
From: Dallas TX
Thanks for the opinions all. Car was always garaged, as evidenced by condition of the car (and tires). Car is continuing to be garaged, and it is my 3rd vehicle. Probably won't ever see rain, if I can help it. As far as my driving habits: No real aggressive/performance driving at this point- more of a touring car. I'll get on it at low speeds every now and then, but never had much desire for top-end speed. I think I'll sit on these tires for a bit, just due to the good condition and large amount of tread life left (and no unpleasant noises). Maybe I'll reevaluate at 10K miles or in six months to a year, whatever comes first. Or just wait on Discount Tire to have one of their good holiday sales 
When it comes time to change tires, there will most likely be an epic burn out. I certainly welcome anyone else's opinion on the matter, as I'm sure I'm not the first to pose this question.
When it comes time to change tires, there will most likely be an epic burn out. I certainly welcome anyone else's opinion on the matter, as I'm sure I'm not the first to pose this question.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 99
Likes: 40
I have a set of tires taken off a 08 when it was new. The tires have been kept in a climate controlled environment and are in good shape, I'm going to run them, that being said I drive pretty easy and never push the car. They will be replacing my current tires that are eight years old. The ride quality is pretty terrible, but if I did not feel they were safe I would not run them.
I'm headed to the track in April and will have a new set on for that, cannot wait to see how the car feels with them on it.
I'm headed to the track in April and will have a new set on for that, cannot wait to see how the car feels with them on it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 1,962
From: Morris County New Jersey
[QUOTE=Evander Holyfield;1594153395]Thanks for the opinions all. Car was always garaged, as evidenced by condition of the car (and tires). Car is continuing to be garaged, and it is my 3rd vehicle. Probably won't ever see rain, if I can help it. As far as my driving habits: No real aggressive/performance driving at this point- more of a touring car. I'll get on it at low speeds every now and then, but never had much desire for top-end speed. I think I'll sit on these tires for a bit, just due to the good condition and large amount of tread life left (and no unpleasant noises). Maybe I'll reevaluate at 10K miles or in six months to a year, whatever comes first. Or just wait on Discount Tire to have one of their good holiday sales
QUOTE]
I'm in almost the same exact position as you. I have a 2012 GS with 1400 miles on the car and still have the original tires. The build date on my tires are 3411 and I have no plans on changing them anytime soon. I did notice your GY's have a different tread pattern than mine. I didn't realize they made two versions of the f1's until now. My car came with the F1 EMT's.
QUOTE]
I'm in almost the same exact position as you. I have a 2012 GS with 1400 miles on the car and still have the original tires. The build date on my tires are 3411 and I have no plans on changing them anytime soon. I did notice your GY's have a different tread pattern than mine. I didn't realize they made two versions of the f1's until now. My car came with the F1 EMT's.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 616
From: St Louis Area IL
I have a set of tires taken off a 08 when it was new. The tires have been kept in a climate controlled environment and are in good shape, I'm going to run them, that being said I drive pretty easy and never push the car. They will be replacing my current tires that are eight years old. The ride quality is pretty terrible, but if I did not feel they were safe I would not run them.
I'm headed to the track in April and will have a new set on for that, cannot wait to see how the car feels with them on it.
I'm headed to the track in April and will have a new set on for that, cannot wait to see how the car feels with them on it.
So it wouldn't bother you to have tires that you can't push if the mood strikes you one day? Or were you saying you never push your car on the street?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I probably was around 10 when I replaced tires on my bike, but from age 16 on, it seemed almost an annual thing, especially when I had more than one car. If I wasn't wearing out the tires quickly, I was trading cars. I'm 75 now and I'm still replacing tires often.
Oh wait! Are you talking about tire age or retire age?
Oh wait! Are you talking about tire age or retire age?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,037
Likes: 3,573
From: Central MO
I probably was around 10 when I replaced tires on my bike, but from age 16 on, it seemed almost an annual thing, especially when I had more than one car. If I wasn't wearing out the tires quickly, I was trading cars. I'm 75 now and I'm still replacing tires often.
Oh wait! Are you talking about tire age or retire age?
Oh wait! Are you talking about tire age or retire age?
category, but you are 18 years older than me. I'm officially done on March 31st. I hope I am still burning tires up on a Corvette when (if) I eventually reach your current age! 
Last edited by BadAV; Feb 23, 2017 at 06:56 AM.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 330
Likes: 48
From: Poconos PA
Two factors come into play when it comes to ozone cracking of tires, and dry rot.
The sun, and the concrete on your garage floor. Think of what the sun does to paint, skin, etc. It destroys rubber.
Think of the unfinished concrete on your garage floor like a sponge. Some people don't realize that unfinished concrete floors are like a sponge. Anybody who has spilled oil on the floor and ended up with a stain can attest to that. The concrete will suck the life right out of a tire and dry rot it if left sitting around long enough.
Your tires appear to be in good shape, and you said you didn't notice any appreciable loss in grip or handling? I'd say put some miles on your car and save that $1,500 dollars for next year.
The year on your current tires should give you enough experience with them to make a solid review and be able to determine what qualities you are looking for when you actually NEED to replace them. Are you racing, are you driving in rain, are you only driving on 85 degree sunny days? All these things come into play when making a new selection. Just my 0.02 but I would ride them out for a year and do my research in the meantime.
The sun, and the concrete on your garage floor. Think of what the sun does to paint, skin, etc. It destroys rubber.
Think of the unfinished concrete on your garage floor like a sponge. Some people don't realize that unfinished concrete floors are like a sponge. Anybody who has spilled oil on the floor and ended up with a stain can attest to that. The concrete will suck the life right out of a tire and dry rot it if left sitting around long enough.
Your tires appear to be in good shape, and you said you didn't notice any appreciable loss in grip or handling? I'd say put some miles on your car and save that $1,500 dollars for next year.
The year on your current tires should give you enough experience with them to make a solid review and be able to determine what qualities you are looking for when you actually NEED to replace them. Are you racing, are you driving in rain, are you only driving on 85 degree sunny days? All these things come into play when making a new selection. Just my 0.02 but I would ride them out for a year and do my research in the meantime.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Here's what some "experts" say.
https://www.edmunds.com/car-care/how...our-tires.html
Bottom line is that there are too many variables you haven't mentioned yet (many you will never know because it is a "new" car) to get a good answer here. If you drive like an old lady then they look to be good. If you drive like me I'd replace them immediately.
https://www.edmunds.com/car-care/how...our-tires.html
Bottom line is that there are too many variables you haven't mentioned yet (many you will never know because it is a "new" car) to get a good answer here. If you drive like an old lady then they look to be good. If you drive like me I'd replace them immediately.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 306
Likes: 86
From: Dallas TX
[QUOTE=TorchRedFred;1594153947]
I'd be interested to see your tread pattern if you have any pictures.
Thanks for the opinions all. Car was always garaged, as evidenced by condition of the car (and tires). Car is continuing to be garaged, and it is my 3rd vehicle. Probably won't ever see rain, if I can help it. As far as my driving habits: No real aggressive/performance driving at this point- more of a touring car. I'll get on it at low speeds every now and then, but never had much desire for top-end speed. I think I'll sit on these tires for a bit, just due to the good condition and large amount of tread life left (and no unpleasant noises). Maybe I'll reevaluate at 10K miles or in six months to a year, whatever comes first. Or just wait on Discount Tire to have one of their good holiday sales
QUOTE]
I'm in almost the same exact position as you. I have a 2012 GS with 1400 miles on the car and still have the original tires. The build date on my tires are 3411 and I have no plans on changing them anytime soon. I did notice your GY's have a different tread pattern than mine. I didn't realize they made two versions of the f1's until now. My car came with the F1 EMT's.
QUOTE]
I'm in almost the same exact position as you. I have a 2012 GS with 1400 miles on the car and still have the original tires. The build date on my tires are 3411 and I have no plans on changing them anytime soon. I did notice your GY's have a different tread pattern than mine. I didn't realize they made two versions of the f1's until now. My car came with the F1 EMT's.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,667
Likes: 159
I've daily driven vettes since 2008, putting between 12 - 15k miles a year on them, so every couple of years, I'm into a new set. For me, the factory Goodyears got "hard" at about 10k miles, Michelins lost traction at about 20k, Bridgestones never lost traction (I went thru 2 sets, got close to 30k out of each of them), and I'm on Coopers now, which were hard from day 1, still trying to wear them out to go back to Bridgestones.
So my advice to the OP is to keep using the factory tires, as long as you are satisfied with the traction, and they have enough tread to prevent hydroplaning
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,667
Likes: 159
[QUOTE=Evander Holyfield;1594156739]GEN2 Goodyears came on the mag ride optioned GS vettes in 2011, not sure about other years, I had them on mine. I had a Z51 optioned 2008, and it had the softer Goodyear tire on it (for that year), but I don't remember the style.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 347
From: yardley, pa 19067
My 13 GS only has 9k miles and I cannot stand the awful ride. The Goodyear run flat has to be the worst tire in history! I'll wait till 2018 when they're 5 years old and dump them regardless of mileage...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,166
Likes: 4,172
From: Kannapolis NC
If I had bought the same car and tires, I would not change them unless you have a problem with noise. Drive around a little and see how they feel and sound. The tires don't magically degrade to dangerous at 5 1/2 miles. A lot of the chatter is hype, anyone can come up with a hydroplane story. I have a friend with a Z06 that he bought new. He ran through a rain storm and spun around a couple of times in the highway. Didn't mean the tires were too old, they had a couple thousand miles on them at the time. If you don't like these tires, that's a different scenario and it's up to you.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 616
From: St Louis Area IL
Just think about the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT the actor Paul Walker was killed in.
According to the investigation:
"The Porsche that Paul Walker was riding in when it crashed and burst into flames, killing the "Fast & Furious" actor and his friend behind the wheel, was on tires that were more than twice the recommended age for the high-performance car, investigators found.
At least two of the tires were more than nine years old; Porsche recommends that tires be replaced after four years. As a result, CHP investigators wrote that "the driveability and handling characteristics" of the car "may have been compromised."" http://articles.latimes.com/2014/mar...crash-20140326
Corvettes crash enough with fresh tires on it when people get on the gas too hard and lose control. No good reason to tempt fate with really old tires.
I know of at least two guys in our car club who blew tires on their C1 -C3 cars while driving down the highway going to a meet in another city. They wanted to show off their original cars with original tires. One guy lost a tire in BFE, and couldn't find a replacement. He was stuck for a few days until a suitable tires were located and shipped to the nearest garage.
According to the investigation:
"The Porsche that Paul Walker was riding in when it crashed and burst into flames, killing the "Fast & Furious" actor and his friend behind the wheel, was on tires that were more than twice the recommended age for the high-performance car, investigators found.
At least two of the tires were more than nine years old; Porsche recommends that tires be replaced after four years. As a result, CHP investigators wrote that "the driveability and handling characteristics" of the car "may have been compromised."" http://articles.latimes.com/2014/mar...crash-20140326
Corvettes crash enough with fresh tires on it when people get on the gas too hard and lose control. No good reason to tempt fate with really old tires.
I know of at least two guys in our car club who blew tires on their C1 -C3 cars while driving down the highway going to a meet in another city. They wanted to show off their original cars with original tires. One guy lost a tire in BFE, and couldn't find a replacement. He was stuck for a few days until a suitable tires were located and shipped to the nearest garage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,442
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From: PNW Cougar Country WA
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
C6 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
The tires break down inside too. Like they say amount of tread 2/32 is legal limit in most states, and how you drive and store the car too. Lots to consider. You will have little hydroplaning protection the lower the tread and less overall performance.
Last edited by NOWUCME; Feb 23, 2017 at 03:00 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Morris County New Jersey
