Do tires get harder with age?

Yes, absolutely. The rubber in a tire gets hard as it ages, just as the rubber in other common materials does. You can even poke at tire treads with your fingernail and feel the difference between an old and new tire of the same brand and model. The harder rubber doesn’t grip the road nearly as well.

What causes tires to harden?

Temperature, age, and exposure to sunlight all play a significant role in dry rot development. However, the most common reason for tire dry rot is also the easiest to avoid: prolonged periods of inactivity. When a car is parked in one position and stationary for a long period of time, its tires begin to age and dry.

What happens to tires after 10 years?

Any tire over ten years old is too weak to ensure safe driving. At this age, it’s imperative that you replace your tires. For your safety, we will not service any tires aged 10 years or older.

What is the oldest tire you should buy?

Most tire companies recommend replacement between 6 & 8 years due to material age. Older tires may hold air just fine, but may lose traction and get damaged more easily. As new as possible. If they’re older than 12 or 18 months, it’s coming down to luck about how well they were stored.

How long do tires last before dry rot?

Six to 10 years is about all a tire is good for, regardless of miles. Inspect the sidewalls for tiny cracks on the surface of the rubber. It will look like cracks in the glaze of a piece of pottery.

Can tires dry rot after a year?

Tires age as soon as they’re manufactured, ideally lasting up to 10 years, but shipping, handling and exposure accelerate aging and dry rot, shortening their life. If a tire dry rots, tire components, such as the tread, sidewalls, belts or bead wire, may separate.

Are your tires getting too old?

Tires will age whether they are driven or not. You might even be surprised to learn that tires that aren’t driven on tend to age faster than ones that are driven on frequently. However, when properly cared for, some tires can last from about six to ten years. Here are a few ways to tell if your tires are getting too old.

How long do tires last without driving?

Tires will age whether they are driven or not. You might even be surprised to learn that tires that aren’t driven on tend to age faster than ones that are driven on frequently. However, when properly cared for, some tires can last from about six to ten years.

Do tires age faster in hot or cold weather?

Heat: NHTSA research has found that tires age more quickly in warmer climates. NHTSA also found that environmental conditions, such as exposure to sunlight and coastal climates, can hasten the aging process. People who live in coastal states and other areas with warm weather should keep this in mind when deciding whether they should retire a tire.

What happens to old tires when they sit idle?

When sitting idle, those chemicals embedded in the outer surface evaporate naturally, while the internal rubber loses little. Very old tires began to crack on their outer surface which is of course a function of age, but tires that would otherwise have some life left based on their age, deteriorate much faster if they just sit.