At what level of aging cracks should tires be replaced?
2 Answers
Tires should be promptly replaced if there are numerous small cracks at the bottom of the tread grooves or on the sidewalls that are about to damage the tire body. Relevant details are as follows: 1. Crack length less than 6 mm: If there are cracks on the tire, the depth of the cracks should be checked. Cracks with a length of less than 6 mm can be repaired at a repair shop. Otherwise, the tire needs to be replaced because damage to internal materials cannot be repaired. If the repaired tire is a front tire, it is recommended to swap it with an unrepaired rear tire to minimize the risk of a blowout. In some remote areas where repair shops are not available nearby, if the tire has cracks, it is safest to replace it with a spare tire. 2. Numerous small cracks: If the tire shows signs of aging, such as numerous small cracks at the bottom of the tread grooves or on the sidewalls that are about to damage the tire body, the tire should be replaced immediately, regardless of how long it has been used or how much it has worn.
As a veteran driver with nearly thirty years of experience, I've witnessed firsthand the dangers posed by tire cracks. If the crack is deep—say, deeper than your fingernail groove—or if it spans the entire tread forming a large fissure, replacement is absolutely necessary. Additionally, if the tire is over six years old, even minor cracks should raise alarms, as aging significantly weakens the tire. Never underestimate this. Once, my neighbor ignored fine surface cracks, and his tire blew out on the highway, nearly causing a major accident. So, check tire pressure and crack depth monthly, and replace any problematic tires immediately at a repair shop. Safety comes first—don’t skimp on a few hundred bucks for a new tire; it’s far better than risking an accident.
