Are small cracks in tire sidewall bad?

These small cracks typically develop in the sidewalls or at the base of the tread grooves. Depending on their severity, they may be cosmetic in nature if they don’t extend past the rubber’s outer surface, or may be a reason to replace the tire if they reach deep into the rubber.

Are cracks on side of tires bad?

Cracked tires are no good-and, often, you’ll notice sidewall cracks in your tires first. Sidewall cracking is dangerous because it reduces a driver’s ability to handle dramatic increases in load when taking corners and increases the possibility of a tire blowout.

Should I replace tires with sidewall cracks?

Dry rot – If your tires show any signs of dry rot, a.k.a. sidewall cracking, it’s time to replace them. All tires that are 5-6+ years old are at risk for dry rot, but it may happen sooner or could happen a little later.

How long will weather cracked tires last?

Oils and chemicals in the rubber compound start to evaporate or break down because of UV exposure. The rubber loses its flexibility and begins to crack at the surface, and the structure becomes more and more brittle (think of a really old rubber band), leading to sidewall damage and eventual failure.

What causes tires to crack on the side?

Tire Dry Rot, aka Sidewall Weathering, is visible cracking in a tire’s tread or sidewall caused when a tire’s rubber compounds break down.

Can you drive with cracked 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.

What causes a tire sidewall to split?

What Causes Tire Sidewall Cracking? Cracks are a sign that the rubber in your tires is starting to break down. This happens naturally due to exposure to UV light, oils, chemicals, and other elements that slowly break down compounds and reduce the rubber’s flexibility over time.

What happens if you drive with cracked tires?

Tire tread cracks can also indicate dry rot underneath the tread that could lead to the tread blowing off the wheel entirely, which can put the vehicle at risk of losing control on the road. Cracks in your tire treads need to be examined immediately.

Is it safe to drive with cracked sidewall tires?

When sidewall cracks are minor and superficial, it may be safe to continue driving on the tires. Sidewall cracks aren’t completely out of the ordinary, and small cracks that are barely visible aren’t likely to represent an imminent safety concern.

Should I replace my tires if they have cracks between treads?

If tire cracking between treads is visible, it’s important to have a trusted tire professional inspect the tire and, in most cases, replace the tire—even if the tread depth on your tires is still healthy.

Are these small cracks in my tyres normal?

Small cracks like those in the picture are, in my experience, normal. Although I can’t be certain just by looking at a photo, the tread depth seems pretty OK too, so there should still be enough life left in your tyres – provided they’re not too old, as already stated in the answer by Paulster2.