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How to Keep Tires From Dry Rotting: Storing the tires is a frustrating task due to their size and the extra care needed to keep them in a proper condition. It’s common to see tires being stored outside without a cover, but it’s possible that these tires weren’t used on a road vehicle. If they are utilized then their safety has been compromised. People also use garages that are exposed to big shifts in temperature to store their tires. This solution is not ideal.
What is Tire dry rot?
Tires tend to naturally degrade over a while because they’re made of rubber. When a tire gets old, it loses its protective resin cover which keeps it from oxidizing and drying away. As the oils evaporate, the tire becomes brittle and stiff also it starts developing cracks and begins to break apart on its own.
It occurs when a tire comes in contact with certain substances, materials, temperatures, or vulnerable situations. While it’s easy to prevent such kinds of situations, it can be difficult to repair when it begins to form up.
Black carbon is mixed in the rubber to guard our tires against the light. Meanwhile, the manufacturer adds the wax to the rubber to protect them from the breakdown which is occurred by ozone. The tires suffering this kind of heavy dry rot should be replaced.
What causes tire dry rot?
Hot Temperatures
During summers the temperatures get over 100 degrees. If tires are stored in a garage with this temperature then dry rot will form on the tires.
Cold Temperatures
People who live in snowy and icy areas might be forced to deal with dry rot. If a car is normal in low-temperature environments for most of the year then this will destroy down the tires very quickly. Then you will have dry rot as a result.
Low Tire Pressure
If tires are not regularly checked then tire pressure and fill it up with air when it’s low and we’ll be driving around with low tire pressure everywhere. Whenever this situation happens, it can lead to the tires getting dry rot so we need to be sure to keep our tires filled with air so that their pressure can be sustained well.
Stagnation
Many bad things can happen if we do not drive our car regularly and consistently. Apart from the internal problems associated we can have stagnation and it can also promote dry rot on our tires.
Sunlight
If the sun is shining directly on our tires all day then it will deteriorate them much quicker. This is true if our tires are old and are already starting to wear because of age.
How to Keep Tires From Dry Rotting
Clean and dry tires thoroughly before storage
It’s crucial to remove any traces of dirt and dust from the tires before storing them. But not all soaping and methods of cleaning are equal. Check the label. Try to avoid cleaning products with petroleum and tire dressings because these products can be corrosive and if our tires are hit then they will be out of service for a few months.
Keep the tires out of the sun
UV rays are a major factor in tire aging. Direct sunlight when hits rubber then heats the rubber and causes premature deterioration. The UV rays penetrate the rubber causing it to dry out and eventually breaks down the rubber compounds slowly. The best way to control this is to limit sun exposure wherever possible.
Store tires in a cool, dry environment
Try finding a cool and dry environment to keep our tires where the temperature and humidity remain consistent throughout. Unevenness in either of these can result in premature tire aging very quickly. Storing tires in a warm environment or freezing temperatures is not appropriate for the rubber.
Keep each tire in an airtight plastic bag
Tires work better when they are vacuum sealed in plastics. An airtight space here prevents oxygen from reaching the tires which slows down the oxidation process and therefore prevent the oil from evaporating and drying out from the tires slowly and steadily.
Store them vertically or horizontally
Stacking the tires can cause deformities and deteriorate them if they aren’t moved around every very often. Remove tires from vehicles that you’re storing for a long time.
Leaving the tires on the car can cause flat spotting of tires. If we can’t remove the tires we must be sure to take the car for a ride every few months so that the tires get some appropriate usage. Tires work best in service because movement consistently keeps oil evenly distributed in the rubber, which helps prevent it from drying out.
Checkout: Tire Dressing, Tire Protectant, No Tire Shine, No Dirt Attracting Residue
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can you put on tires to prevent dry rot?
Apply a few drops of tire dressing to your tires after washing them to shield them from UV radiation, which are a typical cause of dry rot. In order to avoid tire blowouts caused by dry rot, you should also ensure that your tires are properly inflated.
How long do tires last before they dry rot?
It’s time to replace your tires if they exhibit any symptoms of dry rot, often known as sidewall cracking. All tires that are 5-6 years old or older are susceptible to dry rot, however it may occur sooner or a bit later.
How do you preserve tires?
Tires should be kept indoors, away from ozone generators, hot pipes, and direct sunshine in a place that is clean, cold, and dark. Raise tires off the ground and use a waterproof covering with holes if you’re storing outside. This will help avoid moisture buildup.
Do tire warranties cover dry rot?
Tire cracking and dry rot are covered by manufacturer warranties, along with other flaws, although the majority of them have a six-year expiration date. Before cracking becomes a warrantable condition, the majority of tires will wear out.
Conclusion
We must always store tires with care. We must make sure to keep ourselves and our tires safe by following all that the manufacturers recommend and have our tires serviced at appropriate intervals regularly.
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Terry is an Automotive Enthusiast and the face behind TopTireReviews. He's an avid reader, mechanic and loves writing blogs about car guides. You can find him on Linkedin
