MTSalo

OK - I recently bought a 1992 Vette with just 15000 miles on her. I believe the original tires are on her. The front tires are a bit worn on the turning edges, and I wonder if they've ever been rotated.

I have four questions:

1 - should I rotate the tires so the better tires are on the front?

2- should I consider new tires - after all they are now 20 years old? If so, what would you say are the best tires for function and price?

3 - are the originals worth anything on the market?

4- should I just drive them until they drop?

Thanks.

856SPEED

get new tires, they aren't worth anything at all (not to me anyway, or anyone who cares about safety)....rotating nearly 20 year old tires is not worth the hastle since they would be near dry rotted ......if they are the originals, of course.....

MickPB

The local Goodyear or whoever made your tires can tell you how old they are by looking at the codes on the sidewall of the tire.

95tripleblack

Since 2000, the week and year the tire was produced has been provided by the last four digits of the Tire Identification Number with the 2 digits being used to identify the week immediately preceding the 2 digits used to identify the year.

The Tire Identification Number for tires produced prior to 2000 was based on the assumption that tires would not be in service for ten years. While they were required to provided the same information as today’s tires, the week and year the tire was produced was contained in the last three digits. The 2 digits used to identify the week a tire was manufactured immediately preceded a single digit used to identify the year.

While the previous Tire Identification Number format identified that a tire was built in the (N)th year of a decade, there was no universal identifier that confirmed which decade (tires produced in the 1990s may have a small triangle following the Tire Identification Number to identify the decade).

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11

jaa1992

If original those are TEN YEAR OLD TIRES
at least. Please replace them ASAP! There are several around $100 a corner options that will be 1000 times safer than those tires.
Can't reccomend the cooper tires (Wife had them for a whopping 8 months before they needed replacing because they were at the wear bars)
Summitto HTRZ is decent in this price range. Do some searches here, lots of tire threads.

Alan777

Don't cheap out on tires, and don't drive on old ones.

93Z07

In July 2011 when I bought my 1993 C4, it too had the original tires on it. The tread was fine but the tires did not adhere to the road because they were very dry. I trashed them and put some BF Goodrich Super Sport tires on. I absolutly love them! Got them at Discount Tire for $155 each.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fin...05921&sw=false

msmoore

I likely have the same issue. I recently bought a 90 ZR1 with 21K miles with Eagle ZRs that have decent tread but not much grip. They also have a slight "thump" possibly flatspotted. I checked the codes on the tires and have a 509 and a 339. Sounds like manufactured in 89 for my 90'.

Santa bring me some new tires!

sailorsteve

I am also running these, three or so years now, I'm very happy with them.

MTSalo

Thanks for the input. New tires in the spring!

Kmcoldcars

If you are going to drive the car at all this winter get new tires this winter. I would recommend driving slowly to the tire shop and getting new tires. Then have fun driving away from the tire shop. New tires are much cheaper than wrecking the Corvette because one old tire blew out on the freeway.

95tripleblack

leesvet

The tire industry says to discard after 5 yrs because of natural decay of rubber.

I also had some BFG and was VERY satisfied and will buy those again.

I guess you (OP) understand what damage can be done if you have a belt separate and take out the hood, rear quarter...window....old tires on cars that stress tires is an accident waiting to happen.

BADDUCK

Some industry sources say tires will "age out" in about 10 years from the date of manufacture. Aging can vary depending on what the actual compound is, and what it is exposed to. Check for date codes and act accordingly. You should check your tires after 5 years for signs of aging and on a periodic basis thereafter.

PLRX

IAFF alumni

Good thread. I need to check the date codes on my tires.
45k miles on the clock and I have no idea if any of the previous owners replaced them at any point.
They have good tread on them, but...

On a related note, my 92 coupe has sawblade wheels on it right now.
If I were to replace the tires, I might like to put A-molds on her at the same time.
My preference would be to retain the 17x9.5's all the way around, unless there is a compelling reason not to.
I'd probably search online for a wheel/tire combo package deal.

sailorsteve

You could ask 20 CF members and get 20 different answers/ opinions. This subject has been argued ad nauseum and the end result is, no consensus.