TireTalk

All tires experience tire cracking, commonly known as weather cracking or weather cracked tires. Cracks form on the sidewalls and at the foot of the tread patterns due to climatic conditions like heat, sunlight, and cold. Storage vehicles, such as RVs, historic cars, and trailers, are more prone to tire cracking. This is especially true if the automobiles are kept in the open. While tiny fractures are unavoidable, severe damage to your tires can be avoided.

Prevention is definitely better than repair. You can prevent cracked tires by making sure that your tires are correctly inflated. If they are under-inflated, you will find that over time they will deteriorate and then crack. On the other hand, if they are too inflated, the tire will be prone to cracking.

CAUSES OF TIRE CRACKING

OZONE CRACKING

Surface cracks that resemble crusted mud close up are also known as weather cracking since they are most commonly caused by exposure to sunlight which is the largest offender. Tires may deteriorate more quickly in urban areas. They deteriorate when exposed to UV rays and ozone, a luminous gas produced by atmospheric electronic discharges.

OXIDATION OF TIRES

Tires like people age. Their elasticity deteriorates as they age, and the culprit is oxygen. High temperatures worsen the response. Anti-aging qualities are included in today’s rubber formulation, which helps your tire withstand the weather and last longer. On the other hand, surface cracks result from a tire’s normal wear and tear over time: in the face of summer heat and winter cold, constantly rolling and stopping. By the age of six, certain tires, particularly summer tires exposed to winter conditions or vice versa, have matured.

RUTHLESS DRIVING

Treadwear and tear is something that happens to all tires. It is inevitable. If you ride hard and fast, your tires are going to get cracks. If you have a lot of traffic on them, you may find that the cracks spread quickly throughout the tread and cause many problems. Scraping against an actual curb might cause the same problem.

On the other hand, underinflated tires put too much stress on the tire’s sidewalls, causing fractures and defects. According to most manufacturers, tires should be replaced from the day it was manufactured. Additionally, premature cracking may cut a rubber tire’s lifespan in half.

HARSH CHEMICALS

Indirect cracking can be caused by harsh chemicals and cleansers used to clean tires. Anti-ozone and anti-oxidation tire protection layers are built into tires to protect them from solvents, oil, salt, and other fluids found on the road. Harsh cleaning elements can shred a tire of its clothing, exposing it to sunlight and ozone without UV protection. 

HOW TO PREVENT TIRE CRACKING

Shelter your tires: parking your car in the garage is the most straightforward approach to protect your tires against sun rays. If you have a standard passenger car try parking it somewhere out of the direct sunlight or in the garage. This will help to keep your tires in good shape. Keep the vehicle on non-petrochemical surfaces like cement. When the weather is terrible, don’t leave the car outside. Keep your car off the icy ground for as long as possible. Put something beneath your tires if you have to go out during the winter months to keep them from freezing to the surface. Moreover, sidewalls are damaged by Ultraviolet rays, which can result in massive cracking. Therefore, it is best to avoid leaving your car in direct sunlight during the summer. Also, shelter the tires to avert the sun.

Drive Frequently: When a tire is driven, it is worked similarly to how bread is manipulated. However, many fifth-wheel trailers and RV owners only travel a few days a year, allowing their tires to deteriorate in the dry winter months. Driving a trailer almost every month can pay well over the car’s lifetime. During the off-season, cover your tires to protect them from the sun.

Avoid Particular Tire Detergents: Tires should be cleaned with mild soap and water. Ethanol and petroleum-based cleansers should be avoided since the rubber surface dries up and breaks more easily. Antioxidants and anti-ozone are also found in tires. If you clean them with harmful chemicals, the protective coating will be removed, causing the tires to degrade prematurely.

Your best option for preventing tire cracking is to pay attention to the condition of the tire simply. If you notice cracks anywhere along with the tread, you need to replace it immediately. You may also want to think about using quality rubber compounds. These compounds will make the cracks spread and not just appear. 

You can prevent the cracks from spreading by checking the pressure of the tire. Check the pressure often to ensure that it is correct. If it is not, you should raise the tire’s height and add some additional air pressure. This helps keep the tread from cracking when you’re driving over bumps or hills. If you need to lower the tire a bit, do so with extra caution since you’ll be introducing more cracks in the tread.

HOW MUCH TIRE CRACKING IS TOO MUCH?

Small cracks in tires are normal, but tire sidewall cracking or any cracks in tires can become a safety issue over time. Tire cracks that deep or extensive can comprise the integrity of the tire, resulting in week structure, tire bursting, or sudden failure. 

TAKE HOME

Don’t forget that cracked or chipped tires are still a safety issue, even though you’re preventing it. Always use tire-repair kits properly and never skate on a cracked surface. And wear your seatbelt; it’s essential for your safety and that of other people on the road. Cracked tires are an accident waiting to happen. Follow these tips to keep them from happening.

A BETTER WAY TO BUY TIRES IN CANADA

Tire Warehouse www.tirewarehouse.ca makes the shopping experience faster and easier than ever for our customers. We offer a wide variety of top brands, helping you find the perfect tires that meet your unique needs. Once you find your perfect tires, you can check out confidently using your preferred payment method, and then choose how you want us to get your tires to you! Tire Warehouse will deliver tires directly to your home, or set you up with one of our preferred installers in your region. Shopping for tires has never been easier!