Tire changing in the professional car repair service
Maybe you didn’t know that tire rot was a thing. Maybe you thought you only need to be concerned about tire wear.
Can I drive on dry rotted tires?
No. Cracks of any type should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. The only time you should drive a car with dry rotted tires is while you’re heading to a mechanic or tire service shop. When a tire has dry rot, air can escape through cracks in the tire rubber easily.
How long does it take for tires to dry rot?
Dry rotting is more prevalent in tires that are stationary for a period of three months or more. This is because tires are kept moist by resins and oils within the rubber; these oils need downward pressure to be activated, and such pressure comes from coming into regular weighted contact with the road during driving.
How do tires get dry rot?
Tires get dry rot when they are left out and exposed to harsh weather conditions such as sun, rainfall, or wind. Exposure to these elements may cause damage to the tires’ exterior and the surfaces where it is attached. Extended exposure in a dry environment like this can lead to rot decay.
Remove tires from your car if you are storing it for more than three months
Dry rotted tires can be restored to the point where they can be driven on again, but only if the dry rotting has not lead to cracks in the sidewall of the tire. These cracks in the sidewall are more likely to occur if the tire is holding up the weight of a stationary vehicle while in storage.
Therefore, if you are storing your vehicle for more than three months, and have no plans on driving that vehicle during that time, you should consider removing your tires from the car. Ideally, you want to remove the tire from the wheel entirely, as even the stretching of the rubber around the rim of a tire can make cracks in the sidewall more likely to occur.
Vehicles without tires can be mounted on hydraulic jack stands. If this is not possible, then it may be worth buying a pair of cheaper second hand tires to have on your car while it is being stored. Just try to keep driving on these tires to a minimum – they are just a stop gap to prevent damage to your existing tires.
Lim’s Auto Body is a full service auto body and mechanical repair shop locally owned and operated in Largo, Florida. For more information, go to our web site www.limsautobody.com or call (727) 422-3232.