Tire question

[Joshu]

Aight so leaving work today there was a massive screw coming out of the top of the tire. It's dead no question. So I put the doughnut on and drove it very carefully home. Now when I bought the car in June, the guy gave me a spare tire and rim. Figuring that would be better than the lovely d-nut on there now, I put it on. The tire brand doesn't match the others but the tread life seems similar. I have no idea how old this tire is but it is holding air well and the car felt pretty good driving it around.

So what are your opinions? I'm trying to pay a grand a month just to get this thing paid off. And seeing that it will be garaged for good in October I don't see a need to buy new rear tires.

Thanks and wear your seatbelt!

- Josh

[Injuneer]

Make sure the tire diameter is equal on both sides. If they are not, and the rear axles turn at different velocities, you can damage the rear axle posi unit. Are both tires marked with the same size?

When you had a flat on the rear, your not supposed to put the donut on the rear. The diameter is so small it causes wear on the posi. A short drive probably didn't do any damage. When you have a flat in the back, move a front tire to the rear and put the spare on the front.

[Joshu]

The only difference is one (old) is marked 98W and the new is 93W.
Edit: Any chance that is just the speed rating?

[Trash man]

thats the load/speed rating. speed ratings match so thats a good start for now, just make sure the tire size is the same, ex. 275/40ZR17 would be marked on the sideway, just make sure the rear tire numbers match.

[Wild Willy]

+1 on the same size- if you have a difference in the rolling diameter of tires on the back axle, the differential will be constantly spinning, and causing wear- much worse if it is positraction-equipted, RPO G80- check your codes on the driver's side door-

This is important enough to make it worthwhile to swap tire off the front to the rear to keep sizes the same- if your front tires are different, at worse, it will throw a code for the ABS- no mechanical problems-

If the screw is in the tread area, and not the sidewall, you can probably get it plugged pretty easily- I just wouldn't use the tire for some high-speed driving afterwards, it is compromised- not something you want to fail in a high-speed sweeper at, say, 75 MPH-

[Injuneer]

Since he has a Firehawk, he has a limited slip rear..... no need to check codes.

[Joshu]

So as long as my measurements (275/40/R17) match up I am fine?

[Injuneer]

Yes. There may be tiny differences in rolling diameter from one brand to another, but not enough to do any serious damage.

I would think that even though you are trying to pay the loan off quickly, it would make more sense to divert a few $$$ and get a set of quality tires, so you don't end up with the car in a ditch. I don't get the point of dropping big money on a beautiful car like the Firehawk, then chintzing on the tires.

[sneitzel]

...it would make more sense to divert a few $$$ and get a set of quality tires so you don't end up with the car in a ditch...

+1

and

I don't get the point of dropping big money on a beautiful car like the Firehawk, then chintzing on the tires.

+1

[Trash man]

Yes. There may be tiny differences in rolling diameter from one brand to another, but not enough to do any serious damage.

I would think that even though you are trying to pay the loan off quickly, it would make more sense to divert a few $$$ and get a set of quality tires, so you don't end up with the car in a ditch. I don't get the point of dropping big money on a beautiful car like the Firehawk, then chintzing on the tires.

some of the "cheaper" tires arent bad, the fuzions seem like a good tire, and they arent nearly as expensive as goodyears

[Joshu]

I've got about one month or so before it hits the garage for the winter and I break out the minivan. So I'll just buy new ones come spring.

Thanks for the help guys! It was much appreciated.