cracked tire sidewalls
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 18
cracked tire sidewalls
I figured you folks could help me out.
This is regarding the front tires on my 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis which were purchased in May of 2003. There are less than 7,000 miles on the front tires and they are barely worn.
When I put my Cooper Cobras on today (took snow tires/rims off) I noticed that the front tires are cracked on the sidewall around the rim. Is this something I should be worried about? The cracks are quite noticeable.
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Justin
This is regarding the front tires on my 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis which were purchased in May of 2003. There are less than 7,000 miles on the front tires and they are barely worn.
When I put my Cooper Cobras on today (took snow tires/rims off) I noticed that the front tires are cracked on the sidewall around the rim. Is this something I should be worried about? The cracks are quite noticeable.
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Justin
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
When your tires have cracks on the side they are more prone for a blow out. I would personally replace the tire, I know that the cobras dont cost too much. Check you resiept because alot off places offer a tire warranty.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 18
The car is garaged most of the time and the tires are only run in the summer. They have only been used two summers.
I will be taking them back to the shop that I bought them from. New tires will be put on front.
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Justin
I will be taking them back to the shop that I bought them from. New tires will be put on front.
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Justin
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,495
Likes: 2,810
How deep are the cracks? Superficial cracks are no big deal.
Also, while a front blowout is no picknic, most of the roll overs and problems both from the Firestone 500 days and the more recent Explorer issues were caused by rear tire blowouts. You can steer the front--not much you can do when the rear is pulling you all over the road.
Also, if you are replacing 2 tires you are better served with the best tires on the rear tread wise as well. Do you want the front end to give way first or the rear?
The answer is easy if you've ever had the back end come around on you when you weren't expecting it.
As for these 2 year old tires, hey, I'd try for the warranty also. There should be a number on them. Not sure if you can tell how old they are, as maybe they sat at the tire dealer for 2 or 3 years before you bought them.
Also, while a front blowout is no picknic, most of the roll overs and problems both from the Firestone 500 days and the more recent Explorer issues were caused by rear tire blowouts. You can steer the front--not much you can do when the rear is pulling you all over the road.
Also, if you are replacing 2 tires you are better served with the best tires on the rear tread wise as well. Do you want the front end to give way first or the rear?
The answer is easy if you've ever had the back end come around on you when you weren't expecting it.
As for these 2 year old tires, hey, I'd try for the warranty also. There should be a number on them. Not sure if you can tell how old they are, as maybe they sat at the tire dealer for 2 or 3 years before you bought them.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
Have you been using a tire shine product of sorts? A lot of times this will cause the tire sidwalls to crack.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 752
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From: Marple Township, PA
You can check the DOT code on the tire...the last 3 or 4 numbers are the date of manufacture.
3 number (ex 036) = first 2 digits are the week, last digit the year (ex is Jan 96)
4 number (ex 0301) = first 2 digits are week, last 2 digits the year (ex is Jan 01)
It's very possible they sat in a warehouse for some time before being installed on your car. Rubber will become brittle just by laying around, either in the warehouse or in storage in your garage. It needs to be run at operating temps to keep resiliency.
3 number (ex 036) = first 2 digits are the week, last digit the year (ex is Jan 96)
4 number (ex 0301) = first 2 digits are week, last 2 digits the year (ex is Jan 01)
It's very possible they sat in a warehouse for some time before being installed on your car. Rubber will become brittle just by laying around, either in the warehouse or in storage in your garage. It needs to be run at operating temps to keep resiliency.
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 18
I took the car down today. They are giving me a discount on the new tires.
The only tire shine product I've used on these tires it Mcquires (I'm pretty sure that's what is down in garage). I've only shined the tires three or four times in the two years.
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Justin
Have you been using a tire shine product of sorts?
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Justin
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
I'd say those are border line, but as new as they are, there's no excuse for this.
Kinda looks like the rubber compound was a bit on the dry side when they were manufactured, but that's purely speculation.
Kinda looks like the rubber compound was a bit on the dry side when they were manufactured, but that's purely speculation.
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