How to Keep Tires From Dry Rotting

Are your tires starting to break down? Now check out the best way on how to keep tires from dry rotting, or it will damage all of them.

A case of tire dry rot

As a caring car owner, you might know the true importance of substituting all tires once they turn worn out to offer them more traction. And one of the most common causes they tend to break down is the growth of the dry rot tires. But what does this look like?

What is tire dry rot?

For those who have no idea what tire dry rot is, it’s not just unpleasing to look at, but it’s also hazardous to drive on. A dry-rotted tire is likely to bear leaks, and prone to a blowout.

Remember that tire dry rot doesn’t mean the cracks and splitting that commonly appear in the sidewall of the tires or the tread. The case grows whenever the rubber begins aging and brittle. However, the dry rot here is unlike that affecting the wood in the house.

Since it’s not triggered by the organic development and unable to spread from this tire to another. In other words, the tire rot depicts a particular kind of decay due to being exposed to harsh conditions and harmful substances.

For example, both UV light and ozone are the major environmental reasons explaining why the tire rot occurs. In case you don’t know, there are some chemicals contained in the tire thanks to the manufacturers during the process. This procedure can help fight the dry rot tires effectively.

Besides, carbon black is mixed into the rubber as well to guard your tires against the light. Meanwhile, the manufacturer also adds the waxes to the rubber to protect the tires from the breakdown caused by ozone.

Keep in mind that those tires suffering the heavy dry rot should need replacement. The rot often lets the air evade the tire, making it hard to maintain it inflated. Also, the situation here easily leads to holes, leaks, and blowouts. In some worse cases, the tread of rubber will go away from the rest of the tire.

What causes a tire dry rot?

1. Ultraviolet light

As we know, sunlight has radiation known as the UV rays, and these would cause the rubber deterioration. While car tires contain a type of polymer that is made of synthetic rubber, they’re damaged by UV quite easily. 

If your vehicle exposes to the average amount of sunlight, then it’s not harmful. But when you park the car for long periods in the sun, bad things will come. Thus, avoid parking the vehicle in places that are sunny.

2. Ozone

It’s actually the type of gas created by oxygen atoms. In ordinary circumstances, the gas is available just in the higher parts of the atmosphere. Ozone increases near the surface of the Earth due to pollution. When this gas goes along with UV, you can tell that it’s one of the main reasons for tire dry rot.

How come? It tends to break the bonds among chemicals, leading to the tire cracks. Also, as you have the habit of parking the car near other motors, it would cause damage since they’re prone to sparking and producing ozone.

Apart from ozone, another element damaging your tires is oxygen. It breaks the bonds between carbon and sulfur in rubber. Not just that, but it also creates the evaporation of oils and waxes that protect the tire surface.

3. Aging

Not to mention the above elements such as ozone, UV rays, and weather condition, the tires still suffer dry rot when aging. A tire that has been used for too long or thousands of miles will deteriorate. So the overuse of the tires is another reason for dry rot tires. 

But they also age without even being used due to the exposure to some factors. For instance, the tires’ inner lining can break down under the effect of oxidation.

How to keep tires from dry rotting

Lower the risk of developing cracks on the tires

Since the tire dry rot won’t get repaired, it’s necessary to decrease the risk of growing cracks in them. First of all, you need to prevent it from occurring. Simply invest in decent tires every time you replace the old ones. These new tires have less chance to develop dry rot.

To maintain your tires over time, pay close attention to the conditions the tires are exposed to. Below are what you should avoid:

• Corrosive substances include industrial cleaning solutions, treatment chemicals for the pool, and motor oil
• Direct exposure to sunlight leads the tires to harmful UV rays
• Low temperatures
• Long periods of not using the tires
• Ozone created by electrical tools
• Under inflating the tires after driving several thousands of miles

To ensure all tires to be well-maintained, park your car in an area that is far from direct sunlight. Moreover, that place needs to have mild temperatures as well. When parking in a garage, we suggest you avoid keeping the vehicle close to electrical tools and other chemical solutions.

Then how about parking outdoors, notice the weather at that time. You probably like to use covers to protect the tires from the unwanted temperature fluctuations.

Lastly, another great way to do is elongating the lifespan of the tires. Let’s use a tire sealant item to slow down the decaying process of them. Better than thought, this product is good to use for protecting your tires from the UV rays, ozone chemicals, and oxygen.

For the highest effect, you should apply the product every 30 days again. As you have to drive in long periods of time in rain or snow, apply it more often.

Conclusion

Hopefully, now you’ve known how to keep tires from dry rotting through this guide. More importantly, after salvaging them and lengthening their lifespan, you can save some money!