Sunlight is a Tire’s Archenemy
Lets just say that tires are exposed to probably the most demanding environments when compared to most consumer products. With the continuous exposure to heat, cold, chemicals and acid rain as well as treacherous driving conditions over potholes and curbs, it is amazing that tires last long at all!
In my experience, I would have to say sunlight and heat cause the most damage. These two elements causes the tire to show cracking which is called weather checking or ozone cracking. It usually doesn’t show early in the tire life since a tire’s rubber compound usually contains anti-aging chemicals. But over time you can see the cracking in the tire sidewall as well as in between the tread grooves.
The worst cases of cracking occur to tires on equipment such as boat trailers, which tend to sit for long periods of time in direct sunlight. No movement and direct exposure to sunlight is a recipe for problems sooner rather than later. The only recommendation is to cover your tires or garage the equipment whenever possible.
One thing is for sure. Tire cracking never gets better and will eventually deteriorate to the point of tire failure. You don’t want to be driving on the highway at 65mph on old weather checked tires.
We instruct our service personnel to inspect every tire and if there is bad weather checking, the customer is advised to replace the tire. We do not repair tires with significant cracking due to the chance of explosion.
Tires deserve a little more credit for their long lasting performance and the safety they provide for consumers in thousands of applications.
Brian
We bough two new tires from NTB National Tire & Battery. We had our tires for under 1 month and both tires had been flat 7 times or more (7 time for sure). We called AAA and they would come out, tell us that “who ever sold you these tires, sold you dry rotted tires and the beeds won’t hold”. So today we got trapped in Yellow Springs for Earth Day when our tires went flat again. We took back to NTB Bellbrook Ohio location
4460 STATE ROUTE 725
Bellbrook, OH 45305
(937) 848-2798
And the manager told us “to damn bad, You are going to have to buy two new tires because we don’t offer warranty” I said “Your absolutely crazy, let me talk to your regional Manager”. So, I speak to the regional Manager and he tells me with an attitude, “You didn’t even buy these tires, these were purchased on an employee discount so you are up shit creek without a paddle” Then rite before he hangs up on me he say’s, “Don’t call me back, if you need anything call cooperate”.
Warning, I had a horrible experience with NTB National Tire & Battery. It is my opinion that this is a horrible company, and I would recommend you not buy any tires or any of their services. Go elsewhere, and save yourself the time and hassle of dealing with a company thats wants to do nothing more than take your money.
National Tire & Battery is owned by Sears…large corporation mentality?
I’m sure a locally operated independent tire dealer would have treated you much better!
Thanks for your comment.
Brian