What is a perished tyre?
If the tyre treads have worn down too much due to age, this can increase the likelihood of aquaplaning – whereby water collects between the tyres and the surface of the road, thus affecting grip and ease of braking, accelerating and steering.
How do you tell if tyres are perished?
Visual signs that your tyres need replacing
- The tread is worn. Let’s start with the biggest and most obvious one.
- Cracking and crazing in the sidewall. As tyres deteriorate, they become less elastic, more brittle and more liable to fail.
- Cuts and bulges in the sidewall. Photo courtesy of Pistonheads.
- Punctures in the tyre.
How do you stop tyres perishing?
Follow proper tire care and maintenance to help prolong the life of your tires from premature cracking.
- Regular Inspections:
- Park out of the sunlight for extended periods of time:
- Cleaning and Protecting:
- Avoid Harmful Products and Chemicals:
- Proper Tire Inflation:
- Overloading:
- Extended Parking Care:
- Tire Storage Care:
How do tyres get bulges?
Bulges in tyres can occur when the sidewall becomes damaged – which is often caused by impact from ‘kerbing’ or from pot holes in the road. The structrual integrity of the tyre sidewall is weakened and the internal air pressure creates a visible bulge.
Should you change perished tyres?
Yes, cracked tyres should be replaced as soon as possible. It’s a sign that there’s something wrong with the tyre, due to either degradation over time, air pressure, or various environmental factors. While not a legal requirement, it’s recommended that you carry a spare tyre (and the tools to change it) in the vehicle.
Do tyres perish if not used?
If not used, tires last for 6-10 years, depending on the storage and environmental conditions. Overall, the time limits for stored tires are much the same as for tires that are being used.
Are cracks in tyres illegal?
Are cracked tyres illegal or dangerous? Yes, cracked tyres are dangerous. Damage to the tyre wall, such as a crack or bulge, will greatly increase the risk of a blowout – especially when driving at high speed.
Are cracked tyres legal?
Are cracked tyres illegal? Small tyre cracks are not illegal but are a sign that your tyre will need replacing soon. If the cracks within the tyre are substantial then this is a dangerous fault and can potentially result in a tyre blowout.
Why do tires swell?
The first being that during the summer time there is much more humidity and moisture in the air. This excess moisture can cause tires to swell. Even on not-so-humid days, high temperatures cause the air molecules inside your tires to vibrate and push against the walls of the tires, causing them to expand.
Are cuts in tyres illegal?
Tyre ply or cord exposure If there is any cut in the tyre, no matter how small, which exposes cords then the tyre is illegal.
Is outside TYRE wear illegal?
Check for cuts or breaks in the rubber larger than 25mm or 10% of the section width which has caused the inner cord to become exposed and any bulges or lumps that may indicate failure of the tyre structure. It is also important to remember it is illegal to use a spare tyre outside of its stated limitations.