cmsmolka

I've purchased a set of AS 3's and my Michelin dealer asks if there is any special mounting issues on a z51 based wheel. This is his first 2014 so he doesn't want to risk damaging my wheels. Thanks in advance.

Cruiter

There is a message on the side of the Pilot's to use a "trained technician". I imagine it would apply to your As3's as well. I do know the sockets are 'special' for the Z51 wheels. I guess there's less room or something for the socket. I was going to buy locking lugs from the dealer parts and they said they'd have to order them special as they're different from 'others'.

ontcanuck

Go to a place that has a touchless tire changer that is the only way I will have my tires mounted on my Vette

-CM-

That's good advice.

flatcrank

That tire machine is horrific!

The operator was bouncing the face (!) of the wheel around on rollers ... hardly "touchless" ... the machine I used to use, called "Artiglio", works with the wheel face up, and no risk of anything touching.

Was the tire fully seated on the bead at the end of the demo video?

-CM-

This one doesn't look any more or less "horrific."

WELEPRO

There is nothing specific about the C7 wheels/tires that requires special equipment. We use Coats "touch less" mounting equipment, which works well. Just make sure your shop has some experience with large performance tires and you'll be fine. The run flat tires also required a little more muscle to change, but no special equipment.

C7Z51_2014

Speaking of tires, do non run-flats make less noise and/or perform better? Pros? Cons?

flatcrank

Yabsolutely.
Run flats are very heavy, cost a lot more and they're "rated" for something like 50 miles at 50 mph ... not ideal for a puncture on an Interstate. I don't know that you'll really feel the ride quality difference in terms of performance and handling, but any unsprung weight will have negative consequences in terms of keeping the tire in contact with the road surface.

-CM-

You'll get a wide range of opinions on this topic. It's much like a which oil is best question. There are countless threads in the C6 section about it.

flatcrank

That's a newer model that the one I used, but it's a great machine -- I'd say chalk and cheese compared to the typical machines from Hunter and Ranger, etc. Zero contact with the finished surfaces of the wheel and zero risk of operator error since the computer measures the wheel, detects the rim, etc.