2005 - 2013 Corvette: GM TechLink: Tire Tips

A number of General Motors’ high performance models come factory equipped with tires optimized for dry road performance. As a result, the tread life characteristics of these tires may be reduced to achieve higher performance levels. Tread life of high performance tires may be half that of a typical all-season tire, or less. Individual driving behavior will also affect ultimate wear performance. To prolong the life of these tires, tire rotation is recommended at 3,000 mile (4828 km) intervals.

TIP: Tires cannot be rotated if they are different sizes, front and rear. If unsure, chech the owner’s manual.

TIP: For 2005, performance tires are installed on Chevrolet Corvette and certain applications of Chevrolet Cobalt, Cadillac CTS and STS, and Pontiac Grand Prix.

Inflation pressure is very important and should be checked at least monthly. Tires should be checked cold, and should be adjusted to the pressure on the vehicle’s tire placard, NOT the max pressure on the tire’s sidewall.

Underinflation will increase tire wear, decrease fuel economy, and decrease load carrying capacity. Overinflation will result in a harsh ride. Either can adversely affect handling.

TIP: If a vehicle has been parked for some time, the tires may develop a temporary flat spot. This may result in a vibration until the tires are warmed up, which may take up to 10 miles of driving.

GM has developed and matched specific tires for each vehicle. The original equipment tires installed on the vehicle, when it was new, were designed to meet General Motors’ Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec) requirements. GM strongly recommends replacement tires with the same TPC Spec rating. This way, the vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed to give the same performance and vehicle safety, during normal use, as the original tires.

In winter climates where snowfall may be significant, these performance tires will provide less traction than typical all-season tires. Winter tires are an available alternative that may greatly enhance winter driving.

If tires are replaced with non-TPC Spec tires, such as winter tires, in all cases, all four tires must be replaced. They must be the same size, load range, speed rating and construction type (radial and bias-belted tires) as the vehicle’s original tires.

- Thanks to Richard Gratz, Milford Proving Ground

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.