What Is Tire Dry Rot?
September 23, 2023
What are these cracks between my tire treads?
Why does my tire rubber look discolored?
Why are my tires peeling and flaking?
If you've inspected your car tires only to notice sidewall cracking, brittleness, and discoloration, you may be experiencing tire dry rot. In extreme cases, dry rotted tires can result in frequent underinflation and even full-blown tire failure. Protect your vehicle and your passengers by learning what tire dry rot is, how you can prevent it, and what to do if your tires experience it with this guide.
What is Dry Rot on Car Tires?
Tire dry rot, also known as sidewall weathering or sidewall cracking, occurs when the rubber on your Nissans tires begins to dry out. This tire decay can lead to a loss in structural integrity, leaks, and even blowouts. As the tire's rubber compounds start to break down, the tire can become brittle, develop visible cracks in the tire's sidewall or tread, and begin to deteriorate, making for dangerous driving conditions.
What Causes Tire Dry Rot
Since tires are designed using rubber materials, they naturally begin to wear and degrade over time. However, dry rot is a unique form of degradation, and many factors can contribute to this form of tire decay. Overexposure to extreme environmental conditions, improper storage, low tire inflation, misuse, and disuse can all cause them to become brittle and break apart prematurely.
Here are a few other potential causes that can lead to dry rotting in your car tires:
- Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light: Frequently leaving your tires in direct sunlight can lead to dry rot development.
- Overexposure to high temperatures: Hot temperatures can cause premature tire aging, which can contribute to cracks between the treads and ultimately tire failure.
- Long periods of disuse:Parking your vehicle in one position for extended periods can lead to premature tire aging and dryness. This is especially true if your tires are overexposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight.
- Storing tires near ozone-generating sources: Generators, electric motors, battery chargers, and other equipment can lead to premature wear.
- Exposure to corrosive chemicals: Motor oil, industrial cleaning products, and certain treatment chemicals can cause tire dry rot.
Symptoms and Signs of Dry Rot
Healthy car tires often have a smooth, crack-free appearance. Dry-rotted tires tend to have small to large cracks in the sidewall or tread, depending on dry rot severity. When inspecting your car tires for dry rot, pay special attention to things like hairline cracks or even dried-out layers of rubber peeling from your tire's sidewall.
You may also notice a few additional symptoms of dry rot, including:
- Brittleness: As tires dry out, essential oils and resin begin to leech out, making the tires brittle to the touch. Touching the affected areas might even cause pieces of the rubber to flake off.
- Discoloration:Faded or discolored tires often signify advanced dry rot. If your tires have turned an unnatural grayish color, it might be time to replace them altogether.
- Sidewall cracking: You may notice small to large cracks on your tires sidewall. These cracks may appear in an isolated area or spread throughout the length of the tire.
- Tread cracking: In more severe cases of dry rot, you may see cracks on your tire's tread. These cracks can affect your Nissans handling and lead to consistent underinflation.
Can You Drive with Dry Rotted Tires?
Driving on dry rotted tires is never a good idea. Once tire rot becomes visible, its best to have the affected tire(s) replaced before further damage can occur.
Because dry rot leads to cracking in the sidewall and tread, air can begin to seep through these openings, making it difficult to keep your tires inflated. Underinflated tires generate excess heat, which can cause unnatural rubber expansion. The potential effects ‐ leaks, holes, complete tire blowouts, and critical safety concerns.
How to Prevent Tire Dry Rot
Preventing dry rot is much easier than repairing it. Once dry rotting appears, there is a very short window for mending the damage before your tires become both a road and safety hazard. In very few cases, tires with minimal dry rot can be repaired by a professional technician using tire sealants.
Rather than risking the dangers of driving on a dry-rotted tire, its best to follow proper tire care and maintenance to help prevent decay. Here are a few steps you can take to prolong the life of your tires and prevent sidewall weathering:
- Conduct Regular Inspections: Inspect for brittleness, cracks, discoloration, and other irregularities on both the tread and sidewalls of your tires monthly. This is especially important if you live in an area with extreme summers or winters.
- Park out of direct sunlight: Overexposure to UV rays can lead to dry rotting. Park in shaded areas whenever possible.
- Avoid Harmful Chemicals and Petroleum-Based Products:When using cleaning products or tire protectants, avoid petroleum-based products. Petroleum can degrade the weathering agents in your tires rubber, causing premature cracking.
- Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated: Underinflated tires generate excess heat when in use. These extreme temperatures can cause cracking, sidewall separation, and tire failure.
- Store your tires properly: Follow proper guidelines for storing off-season tires. Avoid storing them near chemical solutions and ozone-generating equipment. You'll also want to keep them stored in a temperature-regulated location.
- Prioritize Extended Parking Care: If you'll be storing or not driving your Nissan for an extended period of time, ensure that your vehicle is out of direct sunlight. Its also best to remove as much weight as possible from the tires by placing your vehicle on jack stands. Storing your vehicle outdoors? Use tire covers to help prevent UV ray damage.
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