Tire Dry Rot and How to Recognize and Prevent It
Many car owners pay attention to their engines, transmissions, brakes and other vital components, but they often overlook their tires. Inspection and maintenance is more than just a profile. Tire dry rot is a serious problem that requires attention.
What is dry rot?
Tire rot and wood rot are completely different conditions. Wood rot refers to a fungal infestation caused by moisture. However, this type of dry rot has nothing to do with tires.
Tire dry rot, also known as sidewall cracking, occurs when the rubber compound in your tires begins to break down. When this happens, the rubber begins to crack and peel off. Tire rot is related to the natural aging process of tires, but there are some things that can accelerate this aging process.
What does tire rot look like?
Tire rot initially looks like small cracks along the sidewall of the tire. These cracks usually start out small, but over time they spread and develop into larger, deeper cracks along the sidewall.
Tire rot most often occurs on the sidewall of the tire, but in some cases it can occur between the tread blocks or even within the tread blocks themselves. Even more worrying for drivers, tire rot often starts on the inside of the tire. So if you see something on the outside of your tire, there may already be a lot of dry rot present on the inside of the tire.
What causes dry rot in tires?Dry rot in tires is the result of the natural aging process of tires.
This is an effective process, but it doesn’t last forever. As tires get older, the compounds in the rubber start to break down, causing the polymers to separate from one another. This shows up as tiny cracks and is also known as dry rot.
Do tire warranties cover dry rot?Tyre warranties usually cover dry rot, but they don’t cover tread warranties. They are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, which ensures the tire is free of defects.
Exact tire warranties vary by brand, but warranties that cover dry rot are usually no longer than six years. That’s because dry rot is a normal condition that will occur eventually, especially if your tires aren’t properly cared for.
How to Prevent Dry Rot in Tires
It’s good to be able to spot dry rot and know what to do about it, but it’s even better to know how to prevent it in the first place. There’s no way to completely prevent dry rot in tires, but it’s possible to significantly slow it down. Here are 5 tips to prevent dry rot in your tires:
1) Protect your tires from direct sunlight
If you store your tires for an extended period of time or park your vehicle during the day, the easiest way to prevent dry rot is to protect them from direct sunlight. Even just parking your car in a garage when you’re not driving can make a big difference.
2) Dry your tires before storing them
If you remove your tires from your car and store them, make sure they are completely dry before storing them. Stagnant water is the main cause of dry rot, and most storage locations don’t have the proper ventilation to allow the water to completely evaporate.
3) Keep it at a consistent temperature
If you can keep your tires at a consistent temperature, they are less likely to develop dry rot. While you can’t control the temperature of your tires while driving, it’s ideal to park your car in a garage to slow the spread of dry rot.
4) Use the Tires
One of the primary causes of dry rot on tires is having them sit in one area for too long without any use. If you’re consistently using the tires, it’s far less likely for dry rot to form and it should take longer.
5) Store Tires in Airtight Bags
If you’re storing tires between seasons, then one of the best things you can do to prevent dry rot from forming is to store them in airtight bags in a cool, dark place. This will reduce all the factors leading to dry rot, making it less likely that you’ll have to deal with it. It might be a bit more work, but it’s a big difference-maker.
