What Is Tire Dry Rot and How Do You Prevent It?
Tire dry rot, sidewall weathering, sidewall cracking—whatever you call it, this type of tire damage is one of the most common causes of tire failure in the U.S. Tire dry rot affects all tires over time and is part of the natural tire aging process. However, understanding what causes dry rot and how to identify it early on can go a long way toward maintaining your tires.
We’ve compiled all to know about dry rotting tires into a simple guide, including easy-to-follow prevention tips.
Need a professional tire expert to inspect your wheels? Visit our tire outlet in Rochester, NY, or Syracuse, NY for a check-up!
The Key Takeaways
Dry rotting occurs over time as tires age. You can identify signs of tire dry rot by inspecting your sidewall and treads for cracks.
Long-term exposure to UV light, extreme temperatures, and corrosive chemicals will accelerate tire dry rot. The process can also affect tires in storage. If you don’t plan on driving your vehicle for more than 3 months, it’s best to remove the tires and store them in airtight tire bags.
You cannot repair advanced dry rotting tires as the damage has spread to the sidewalls. And driving with dry rot will shred your tires and cause a blowout. Your best option is to replace the tire.
What Is Tire Dry Rot?
Tire dry rot is the gradual degradation of a tire’s rubber compounds. As tires age, they lose essential oils that help keep the rubber flexible, which dries out the tire and causes cracks along the tread and sidewall.
Dry rot is common in tires that remain stationary for long periods—typically three months or more. Over time, this damage can cause leaks, holes, and even tire blowouts making it crucial to address dry rot as soon as it appears.
5 Signs of Tire Dry Rot
How do you know if you have tire dry rot? The easiest way to tell is to inspect your tires regularly for tell-tale signs. Early on, you may see hairline cracks on your tread or sidewall. While not an immediate death knell (you can still slow tire degradation with sealants), it does mean the dry rot will eventually advance.
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Here’s what to look for when inspecting your tires for dry rot:
Cracks or Flaking Along the Tread and Sidewall: As the rubber compound dries, the tread and sidewall will begin flaking or cracking. Advanced dry rot can cause large cracks and tread separation that expose the inner layers of the tire.
Faded Color: Dry rot causes rubber to lose color, fading to a dull gray or chalky white. Applying tire shine will only exacerbate the issue by drawing out the rubber’s essential oils further.
Frequent Low Air Pressure: Tires with dry rot often struggle to hold air, even after pumping the tire. This indicates the rubber has been compromised and likely has a leak.
Brittle Tire Rubber: As the dry rot worsens, the rubber becomes brittle and may feel hard even at normal temperatures. You’ll likely notice the change when braking or driving long distances.
What Causes Tire Dry Rot?
Tire dry rot occurs when the rubber compound loses its flexibility, often due to continued exposure to a combination of environmental factors, improper storage, and age. These compounds can deteriorate faster when exposed to specific conditions:
Excess UV Exposure: The most common cause of tire dry rot is overexposure to UV light, either through sunlight or artificial sources. UV rays weaken the rubber, accelerating dry rot.
Exposure to Extreme Weather: Prolonged exposure to harsh weather conditions affects how your tire’s rubber compound behaves. Rubber typically softens as it heats up and stiffens as temperatures drop. Relying on all-season tires that aren’t appropriate for your climate can overly stress your tires.
Direct Contact With Corrosive Chemicals: Tire rubber breaks down when exposed to petroleum-based chemicals such as gasoline, hydraulic oil, and motor oil. This is also why we typically avoid oil-based tire shines. Similarly, solutions that greatly alter the rubber’s pH levels such as antifreeze, brake fluid, pool treatment chemicals, and anhydrous ammonia, can dissolve certain rubber seals.
Exposure to Ozone: Ozone occurs naturally and will eventually age your tire. However, some mechanical equipment such as electric motors, generators, and welding equipment can produce excess ozone, which will oxidize your tire rubber.
Consistent Low Tire Pressure: Driving on underinflated tires will quickly strain the rubber as the sidewalls buckle and bulge from the vehicle’s weight. As tire traction and road grip decrease, brake times increase. Not only is this incredibly bad for your tread life and can lead to tire blowouts, but sidewall damage also makes your tire more susceptible to dry rot.
Long Storage Periods: Tires left unused for extended periods (3+ months) are prone to drying out. That’s because the resins and oils in the tire’s rubber are designed to stay active through regular driving—the downward pressure and heat from the road help maintain the rubber’s functionality.
Improper Storage and Aging: Poor tire storage practices often expose tires to unfavorable conditions (such as the ones listed above).
How to Prevent Tire Dry Rot
While you can’t treat tire dry rot once it happens, you can follow tire maintenance best practices to prevent premature dry rot. Proper tire care is key in extending your tire’s lifespan. Our tips:
Park in Covered or Shaded Areas: Parking in a garage or shaded area helps shield tires from UV damage. It can also protect your tires from harsh weather such as excessive rain, snow, and ice.
Use Tire Covers: Covers protect tires from sunlight and moisture when parked for extended periods. These are popular options for open spare tires mounted on the back of vehicles and RVs and campers that are constantly exposed to the sun.
Keep Tires Clean: Clean tires regularly with water to remove dirt and chemicals that can degrade rubber. Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners, especially if they’re petroleum-based since they can strip the rubber of its oils and accelerate dry rot. For that reason, we also advise against most tire shine products.
Drive on Your Tires: Regular use activates the oils in the rubber. If storing a car for more than three months, remember to schedule occasional short drives to maintain the tire’s composition and shape. If you can’t drive the car, then it’s best to remove the tires and store them in air-tight tire storage bags.
Maintain Proper Tire Pressure: Keeping tires at recommended pressure prevents stress and wear when driving.
Get Regular Tire Inspections: Whether you go to a professional or do it yourself, inspecting your tires in spring and fall can catch early signs of dry rot and address other tire health concerns.
Additional Tips for Stored Tires
When storing tires (ex: seasonal options like summer tires) that aren’t in use, follow these tips to prolong your tire’s lifespan:
Maintain Consistent Temperatures: Store tires in a climate-controlled area away from direct sunlight and heating elements. The best place for at-home tire storage is usually the basement. Attics, garages, and sheds fluctuate too much in temperature, making them ill-suited for tire storage.
Ensure Tires Are Dry: Clean and dry tires before storing them to prevent moisture damage.
Use Airtight Tire Bags: Tire storage bags are designed to keep moisture and oxygen out, helping preserve rubber integrity.
Can You Repair Dry Rotted Tires?
Unfortunately, dry rot is irreversible because it compromises the rubber compound itself. Any damage to a tire’s sidewall is unsafe to repair. While minor dry rot can sometimes be temporarily managed with a professional tire sealant, this is only a short-term solution. Replacing dry-rotted tires is generally safer and more effective in the long run!
Can You Drive on Tires With Dry Rot?
No, it’s not safe to drive on tires with dry rot since they’re prone to blowouts and leaks. You might get away with quick drives around town, but any long-distance drive will heat your tires, which further compromises the rubber’s functionality. In short, driving on tires with dry rot will shred your tires.
What to Do if You Have Tire Dry Rot
Protecting your tires from dry rot involves a combination of regular maintenance, careful storage, and awareness of environmental factors. If you notice dry rot, you need to get it inspected by a professional to confirm or replace the affected tires as soon as possible.
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