[dyingbreed]

I have to purchase a new set of tires because the current ones are dry rotted/cracking between the tread (really bad) !! The tread is all but brand new and the tires are only about 4 years old. I only put about 2000 miles a year on this car, so they haven't seen alot of use! I would guess that the tires only have about 6000 - 8000 miles on them, but they are shot. The car is not kept in a garage, but is outside under a quality car cover which covers 2/3 of the tires. How can I protect new tires from the same fate (dry rotting/cracking) between the tread?

Thanks,
db

The car was always parked on black top (pavement), but will soon be stored on the lawn behind my home (if that makes any difference).

[ September 12, 2002, 06:01 AM: Message edited by: dyingbreed ]

[dyingbreed]

I have to purchase a new set of tires because the current ones are dry rotted/cracking between the tread (really bad) !! The tread is all but brand new and the tires are only about 4 years old. I only put about 2000 miles a year on this car, so they haven't seen alot of use! I would guess that the tires only have about 6000 - 8000 miles on them, but they are shot. The car is not kept in a garage, but is outside under a quality car cover which covers 2/3 of the tires. How can I protect new tires from the same fate (dry rotting/cracking) between the tread?

Thanks,
db

The car was always parked on black top (pavement), but will soon be stored on the lawn behind my home (if that makes any difference).

[ September 12, 2002, 06:01 AM: Message edited by: dyingbreed ]

[Rick Lightfoot]

Just for the record, what brand of tire did you have to replace due to the dry rot?

[LouisianaGuy]

Well i have found that if ya put the car on jack stands, with tires about 1 inch off ground it helps to slow the dry rotting process down ...also you could armor all the piss outa the whole tire if you know its going to be setting up for a time, that will make it slick but it will also help the rubber to stay in a sense supple and not crack as bad,,,now this is only what im told about the armour all but hey its worth a try,,,if that dont work try some Tire Wet..ya know that silicone spray stuff..and if that dont help just smoke them babys down till they blow out and put frount tires on back and repeat...at least have some fun with them [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Mike

[dyingbreed]

Rick,
That's a good question! The tires were on when I bought the car. The seller said he had just put them on before listing the car for sale (that was about 4 years and 6000 miles ago)! If I recall correctly, they weren't a top brand tire. I'll have to check on the make and will post my findings.

db

[PLAY400]

I used to Armour All the tires on my 4x4 every week and before every race or run and noticed after a year or so, along with others, that they would weather and crack the outer sidewalls. The inner sidewall was always mint. Right or wrong we blamed this weathering and cracking on the armour all.

[Brian Baker]

Hmmmmm. Never had this problem on Pop's Can-Am, and he has tires from 1992 on the Ralleye II's! Of course, it is garaged kept.

The best product I've found out there for protecting tires that isn't "worn off" or "worn out" by UV rays is Xerox copier machine lubricant. It is a nearly 100% silicone based oil, that resembles corn oil (cooking oil). One bottle of it will last indefinately (we still have a bottle from 1996, and it's hardly used). After cleaning the tires, we coat the sidewalls once and never have to touch them again for the rest of the year (granted the car only gets about 500 miles per year on it). This stuff surprisingly doesn't attract dust or dirt either, and wipes down easily with a dry cloth after applying. Blows away Armoe All and any other tire product out there. Never used it on vinyl though, and never will.

Keeping your car parked on pavement will help, Rick. Parking in grass, soil, or gravel will accelerate the effects of moisture that rises up from the ground naturally. This is why east coast cars rust out faster when sitting in a field vs. sitting on a concrete driveway.

[gtoguy1967]

Brian, i agree parking on dirt for any length of time is a bad idea. you will soon have more probloms than tire rot.
brake line
fuel line
frame ect.
for some reason i don't have much tread after 6000 miles

[dyingbreed]

Thanks for all the replies in information. I am still curious why my tires are only cracking (dry rot) between the tread (whole way around the tire)! There are NO cracks (dry rot) along the sidewall, which is usually where the problems are !!

db

PS- guess I'll have to get another quality set & see what happens!