Which Types of Tire Cracks Require Replacement?
3 Answers
Tires should be replaced immediately under the following circumstances: 1. 'New tires' stored for more than 5 years; 2. Tires with bulges; 3. Tires with tread patterns less than 1.6mm; 4. Generally, tires have a service life of 4 years or 80,000 kilometers, and replacement is recommended if either condition is exceeded. Below is an introduction to tire crack conditions: 1. Natural rubber aging causes cracks. Typically, after 4-5 years of use, some fine cracks may appear on tires. These cracks are referred to as 'weather checking.' Such tires become hard, produce loud noise, and start losing rubber properties, indicating they need replacement. 2. External impacts or scratches cause cracks. Usually resulting from traffic accidents or curb scratches while parking, tires with cracks that do not damage the cord layer can still be used, but those with cord layer damage require prompt replacement.
In all my years of repairing cars, I've learned that tire cracks must be carefully distinguished: cracks on the sidewall are the most critical—no matter their size or depth, you should replace the tire immediately because it's as thin as paper and has a high risk of bursting at high speeds. For cracks on the tread, if they're deep enough to fit a coin or expose the internal steel belts or fabric layers, that's also a danger sign—don't wait, go replace them right away. Surface hairline cracks caused by aging, if they cover the entire tire or exceed 1/4 inch in depth, should raise concern; old tires have poor grip and are prone to skidding in rainy conditions, leading to accidents. I recommend checking your tires by running your hand around them every month when parked—minor cracks aren’t urgent, but act fast if they worsen. Safety first—don’t skimp on this and risk a major disaster. Don’t forget to inspect the tire shoulder edges during checks; too many cracks can affect balance and cause annoying vibrations while driving.
As a veteran driver with 20 years of experience, I've learned my lesson the hard way: once I noticed a small crack on the tire sidewall and thought it was no big deal, but it resulted in a high-speed blowout that nearly caused a rollover. Since then, I've become wiser—any sidewall crack means immediate tire replacement; it can't be repaired or delayed. For deep tread cracks, like those that trap a fingernail or have large openings indicating internal damage, new tires should be installed without delay. When aging cracks cover the tread surface and become deep or dense, they accelerate wear and reduce braking effectiveness, increasing the risk of accidents, especially in rainy conditions. I usually use a key to gently probe cracks to check their depth; the safety threshold is that cracks shouldn't exceed the thickness of a coin. Tires are the only part of your car that touches the road—maintaining them well is a matter of life and death. Pay attention to them regularly to avoid regrets later. Checking your rearview mirror is less critical than inspecting your tires; small cracks can worsen quickly, and replacing them early saves both money and peace of mind.
