(801) 593-9200 Have you ever looked at an older set of tires and seen hairline fractures in the rubber surface? If so, we hope they weren’t on your own vehicle. Cracking tires are a sign of aging, and indication that your tires are on their way out. Tires form cracks when the rubber in the tire breaks down, and the diminished stability can lead to much more serious problems on the road.
Sometimes referred to as weather cracking, ozone cracking, or weather checking, the formation of cracks in a vehicle’s tires is almost an inevitability. Fortunately, advances in how tires are manufactured have extended their lifespan, pushing back the onset of cracking. However, once cracks begin to form, the process tends to progress quickly, so any cracks in your tires should be attended to quickly, especially if the cracks are in the tire treads.
Why Do Tires Crack?
Cracking tires indicate that the rubber the tires are made of has begun to break down. This is natural, especially considering all the battering tires take from uneven road conditions, wet weather, chemicals and oils on the road, and near-constant exposure to UV radiation from the sun. Overtime, these elements reduce rubber tires’ flexibility, which leads to cracking.
In some cases, cracking tires may be the result of rot embedded in the tires’ tread. This problem is especially dangerous because it makes the tires more at-risk of blowing off the rims entirely, which can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Especially in newer tires, cracking may be indicative of manufacturing fault.
When Are Cracking Tires Unsafe?
Just because cracks arise doesn’t mean you should immediately stop driving on them. Cracking tires should be treated on a case-by-case basis. Superficial sidewall cracks do not usually pose an immediate threat to a vehicle. However, as the cracks deepen or lengthen, you should start thinking about replacing your tires. Once the process has started, it progresses quickly.
The severity of the cracks also depends on where they form. Tire sidewalls are more likely to crack than the treads, though the damage to treads is more serious. When the treads pull apart, tires are more likely to pull away from the wheels completely, and this outcome poses a serious safety hazard.
How Long Do Tires Last Before Cracking?
Unlike the chicken in your fridge, tires do not usually have a hard and fast expiration date. At the time of manufacture, the manufacturer is legally obligated to list the production date and a nominal expiration date of six years from that date. Five to seven years is usually a good estimate for a tire’s lifespan, but the true longevity of a tire depends on many factors, including how it is stored and how much it is used.
If you notice that your tires have begun to crack, you have a few options available to you. The first course of action we recommend is to get the tires professionally checked out. Have a professional look over the cracks to see how much longer the tires have and if repair is possible.
Can Cracked Tires Be Fixed?
Once anything has sustained structural damage, no amount of repair can return that item to its original strength. This is at least true of tires. While cracked tires can sometimes be repaired, the result is usually more of a band-aide fix. There are several tire-repair seals available on the market, but these tend to merely mask the problem instead of truly correcting it.
How Do I Keep My Rubber Tires from Cracking?
A more effective solution than repairing cracking tires is to keep them from cracking in the first place. The key to preserving the longevity of your tires boils down to maintaining their flexibility. This is best done by shielding them from deteriorating elements: keep the car in the garage, out of the sun and rain; keep the vehicle out of standing water; clean off mud, snow, and rock salt; and keep tires properly inflated.
Keeping the tires moving is another important way to keep them flexible. Don’t let your tires sit motionless for two long. During periods of long disuse, you or someone else should take the vehicle out for a short spin if you want to prevent cracking tires. For more information about extending the lifespan of your tires, or to have cracked tires replaced, come see us at Layton Car Care today.
