Tires do degrade over time, though, and that process is called dry rot. Oils and chemicals in the rubber compound start to evaporate or break down because of UV exposure.
Can tire dry rot wear out your tires?
Tire dry rot can wear out your tires long before you can tell Your tires can have plenty of tread but still need replacement.
How do you know if a tire is rotting?
Watch this: Tire rot can dry out rubber long before the tread is… Six to 10 years is about all a tire is good for, regardless of miles. Inspect the sidewalls for tiny cracks on the surface of the rubber. It will look like cracks in the glaze of a piece of pottery. Then inspect the face of the tire and look for cracks around the tread blocks.
How do I prevent dry rot in my tires?
To avoid dry rot occurring in your tire, try to park your vehicle in shade where possible and apply protective tire shine more frequently. If tire dry rot is caught early, it can be treated with proper maintenance and protective tire dressings.
Why do tires expire?
A tires service time expires because of the rubber aging, as the material is always exposed to oxygen that makes the particles become harder and less flexible. As a result, the rubber starts to crack outside and inside, which may cause tread or steel cord separation and complete tire failure.
Can tires dry rot in 3 years?
Your tires’ age and how they’re stored will have a big impact on how long it’ll take them to dry rot. In arid climates, tire dry rot can set in after as little as five years.
How long do tires dry rot?
If they are 2-3 years old, have decent tread left, and you don’t drive very much, you may find they dry rot before you use up the tread. Variation between manufacturers and even between tires within a manufacturer may mean some tires don’t dry rot for 10 years, while others are unusable after 6 years.
How to keep tires from rotting?
If you want to keep your tires safe from dry rotting, store them in a place where there is no direct sunlight. Also, make sure that the tires are not placed directly on the ground. As far as keeping the tires on your vehicle safe from dry rotting, try to park the vehicle in shade as much as possible.
How long do tires last?
“Some tire manufacturers offer a warranty as high as 80,000 miles or more, reflecting confidence in that particular product’s longevity based on its engineering, technology, and design. Other tires may be built to provide 30,000 miles of service.”
Is dry rot repairable?
Dry rot is unrepairable, so it’s important to understand what causes it to avoid the problem. The main cause of dry rot is old tires. As they age, the rubber becomes less pliable. However, tires that sit in direct sunlight can also degrade because of the UV rays. Plus, corrosive and abrasive chemicals can further break down the rubber material.
Do car tires rot?
Dry rot is common in tires exposed to extreme weather conditions, heat or harmful chemical substances. For example, overexposure to heat or sunshine may cause tires to be brittle, damaging the internal layers and leading to rot on the surface. In a nutshell, tires develop dry rot from: Exposure to excess sunlight.
Is dry rot on tires dangerous?
Dry rot on tires is dangerous because it can cause blowout and other types of damage. If you can see the sidewall and tread edges developing cracks or the rubber peeling off, your tire might be infected with dry rot severely and require you to change the tire. How Do I Prevent Dry Rot In Tires?
How do I know if my tire is dry rot?
The first sign of tire dry rot will be that the tire surface is very hard and dry. It may also show signs or brittleness and break to the touch . The other telltale sign of tire dry rot is cracks in the tire. These will most commonly occur in the tire sidewall and run parallel to the outside of the tire.
What causes tire rot?
Tire rot is caused by ambient heat, UV radiation ( which has a similar effect on your face), ozone in the atmosphere, road salt and time. These factors are mostly worse if your car lives outside, but even garage queens can’t sit on one set of tires forever. Six to 10 years is about all a tire is good for, regardless of miles.
