Tyre Cracks: The Silent Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore

We are talking about sidewall cracks. In the UK, the weather changes rapidly, and Car Tyres Aberdeen have to function on both hot and cold roads. Over time, Different ranges of temperatures slowly affect tyre rubber, and it goes through stress. Over time, the tyre rubber becomes hard and brittle. If your car tyres show small cracks in their sidewall, you should get them checked for their rubber material that has lost its structural strength.  

You may observe minor cracks on the sidewall clearly, and they may occur in the tread wear in some cases as well. These cracks are not just surface marks. So, do not ignore them.  

In this blog, let us talk about why cracks happen, why they matter, and why ignoring them can be highly risky.  

What Exactly Are Tyre Cracks? 

Tyre cracks are small cuts in the rubber. They can appear in different parts of the tyre: 

Sidewall cracks: they are easy to spot and occur in the outer wall of tyres.  

Tread cracks: They occur between the tread blocks, and they are less noticeable. But they are also risky, just like sidewall cracks.  

Bead area cracks: Cracks may occur near where the tyre meets the rim. 

In the initial stage, these cracks may look shallow and small, but as time passes, they become deep and wide.  

Why Do Tyres Crack? 

Cracks do not occur overnight. They are the results of a combination of different factors, such as ageing, use, maintenance, and environment.  

Let us look at the main reasons: 

Ageing Rubber 

Tyre rubber naturally dries out over time because it is a biodegradable substance. Even if you do not use your car tyres and store them in a garage, they will age and lose their strength over time.

 Sunlight and UV Exposure 

Constant exposure to UV rays weakens the tyre rubber. In the summer, cars parked in direct sunlight get the worst effects.  

Ozone and Chemicals 

Air pollution, road salts, and cleaning chemicals increase the speed of rubber degradation and ageing.  

High and Low Air Pressure  

Tyres are made for the correct air pressure. They experience stress if you run them with low or high air pressure. Due to increased stress, cracks may occur in the sidewall.  

Lack of Use 

Cars parked for a long time without moving also develop cracks.  

Why Cracks Are More Dangerous Than You Think 

Some drivers believe small cracks are harmless, but this is not completely true.  

Cracks compromise the tyre’s strength. As a result, they may have a blowout at any time.  

Deep cracks in the sidewall or tread may cause slow leaks, leading to low air pressure and poor handling.  

If your car's tyre sidewall is full of cracks, it may be a reason for a sudden failure, especially at high speeds.  

In brief, cracks are not just an aesthetic problem, but they are warning signals.  

Cracks and UK Roads 

UK driving conditions make cracked tyres risky.  

Cracks let water seep in on wet roads. Water speeds up deterioration. Moreover, old and brittle rubber becomes stiffer in freezing temperatures during winter. Cracks are dangerous at high speeds. Even a single crack may cause tyre failure.  

On city roads, you may drive on a cracked tyre at a slow speed, but on highways, you have to increase your speed, and this is a gamble.  

What Happens If You Ignore Cracked Tyres? 

You are going to face the following results if you ignore cracks in your car tyres: 

Increased blowout risk. 

Cracks weaken the tyre wall. 

Poor grip. 

Cracked tyres lose flexibility, reducing traction in rain and cold weather. 

Faster wear. 

Can You Repair Cracks?  

No, unlike a puncture, you cannot repair tyre cracks. You can hide them with aesthetic ideas, but repairing is not possible. Once the rubber starts breaking down, the only safe solution is replacement.  

You cannot ignore cracks in your car tyres for a long time because they are dangerous.  

How to Prevent Tyre Cracks? 

You cannot stop ageing, but you can slow it down with high-quality maintenance.  

You can control the speed of ageing with the following steps: 

Regularly check air pressure, including the spare, because correct air pressure preserves the life of your car tyres.  

Driving regularly because moving car tyres remain flexible.  

Store your car tyres in a dry and cool environment. Moreover, keep your car tyres away from chemicals, paints, and lubricants.  

Clean your car tyres with a cleaner with milk chemicals, and dry the rubber properly.  

Rotate your car tyres and inspect them at regular intervals.  

When to Replace Cracked Tyres 

You should replace your car tyres in the following conditions: 

Cracks are deeper than 1 mm. 

Cracks extend around the tyre’s circumference. 

Cracks are combined with tread wear, bulges, or cuts. 

Even if the tread looks fine, cracks mean it is time for new tyres.  

How to Spot Tyre Cracks 

You do not need to be a trained mechanic to check your car tyres. A quick visual inspection is enough to detect tyre cracks.  

Your car's tyre rubber is cracking if you observe the following: 

Fine lines running across the tread or sidewall. 

Small cuts around the rim area. 

Rubber looks dry or faded. 

Final Words 

Cracks may look harmless at first glance, but indeed, they are not. They are warning signs and silent threats. Your car tyres are no longer safe if their sidewall and tread has cracks.  

Do not ignore cracks and replace them with effective new car tyres. Do not even consider repairing cracks, as this is not a good idea. Even if you mask tyre cracks, they will increase their size inside the cover. The best idea is to change your cracked tyres.