What are the hazards of human urine to car tires?
3 Answers
Human urine does not harm car tires. Here is some related information about tires: 1. Tire introduction: Tires are the only components of a car that come into contact with the ground. Some car owners only replace the tires on the drive wheels when changing tires. For example, some front-wheel-drive car owners only replace the two front tires, while some rear-wheel-drive car owners only replace the two rear tires. In fact, this practice is acceptable. 2. Tire aging: Tires are rubber products and will age over time. It is recommended that car owners replace their tires every four years, even if the mileage is low during those four years. Since tires can also age when left unused for long periods, it is important to check the production date when purchasing new tires.
Last time this topic came up in the car enthusiast group chat, I specifically looked into it. While human urine is mostly water, the urea and acidic substances in it can indeed affect tire rubber with prolonged contact. The sidewalls of tires are relatively thin, and frequent exposure to urine may accelerate aging and cracking. Some car enthusiasts also worry about the wheels - the salts in urine could corrode the surface of aluminum alloy rims. But honestly, occasional exposure once or twice isn't a big issue. What really needs attention is when parked in public spaces where some dogs frequently urinate on tires. Dog urine is more concentrated and more damaging to tires. My advice is to rinse off any urine with clean water as soon as you notice it - that's more effective than any protective treatment.
My parking space under the tree is frequently visited by stray cats and dogs, and my tires have suffered several times. The mechanic told me that uric acid and enzymes in urine can break down the anti-aging components in rubber. Observing the tire sidewalls that have been contaminated by urine stains for a long time, they do indeed become harder and whiter prematurely compared to normal areas. Once when I had a tire repaired and the wheel was removed, I noticed rust spots on the inner metal base of the valve stem. The most critical issue is that after the urine stains dry and harden, dust and gravel are particularly prone to sticking to them while driving, increasing the likelihood of small stones getting stuck in the tire treads. Now I always carry a bottle of water with me and rinse off any stains I see.
