My stock front PS2 tires with only 7000 miles on them have cracks in the rubber on the outside edge of the tread and some on the sidewalls. I guess where the car sat around before I bought it, who knows. I noticed it at the track a few weeks ago but did not get to look at them really well till today. There is still plenty of tread left but it looks like i may have to buy some new front tires.

If i get time i will post up some pics. i guess they are safe to drive on, not sure.

I would like to get 2 more VREDESTEIN tires but i noticed the price has went up on them quite a bit.

 

Sounds like the tires were driven for an extended period while low on air, that's pretty hard on the sidewalls.

 

I actually had this happen on my stock Michelin's. I went to try and get them warrantied by a Michelin dealer and the dealer called it Ozone Drying and Cracking, something they did not cover because it was not a safety issue, so your fine in that respect. They do look like crap with the cracks in them but I guess you can't really do anything. Are you also getting browning with your tires? I have pretty bad browning, which again doesnt really compromise the tire but it sure looks like crap hah.
Brandon

 

yeah that sounds like what the problem is. basically like a mild form of "dry rot" i guess you would call it.

not sure on the browning, i keep tire gel on them. i have had that happen on tires as well.

hopefully these will be okay to run though.

 

You'll be fine. My Toyota is 9 years old and has 33,000 miles on the original Mich Tires. Yes, it's a nine year old car with 33,000 miles. I bought the car with 20,000 miles and they are in the same condition and have experienced no issues. This is a common problem on tires that do alot of "sitting".

 

I just would not do any sustained high speed driving on them. I bet some of your "fans" on here would just tell you, "go ahead Mr. Photoman, you'll be just fine!".

 

Do you have Costco in your area?

They sell pretty much only Michelin, and they had PS2's in our (awkward) size for a great deal last time I checked mine.

 

I wouildn't drive on tires with cracks in the sidewall, especially at highway speeds. I think it is asking for trouble. Just my opinion, but purchase replacements ASAP!

 

Mine had the cracks too. When I went to move them from the stock rims to my new rims, the tire shop found one had a bubble on the interior sidewall (couldn't see it with it mounted on the car). So it had to be replaced. Then when they took the other one off, they tore the sidewall of the tire getting it off. So they bought me a new tire. They said it was their fault, but I'm betting the tire was weak from dry rot or ozone whatever-you-call it.

I would replace them asap, especially if you plan on doing any high speed driving. I put Yokohamas on the fronts of mine. I like them. I can't recommend the Sumitomos I have on the back.

 

Tires are constructed with an anti-ozonant compound in them that leaches to the side wall of the tire to prevent deterioration due to the effects of UV radiation, etc. But the tires need to be in motion and under load on a regular basis for this to occur properly. In the RV industry people are told to replace their tires after a certain period of time, rather than after a certain mileage, because these rigs tend to sit for prolonged periods of time. You'll also see full time RVers covering their tires during prolonged stationary periods, also to ward off UV radiation.

If tires do sit for a long period of time some of this cracking can occur, and the use of a tire dressing will often make the appearance more noticeable. Read that correctly - some tire dressings will make the cracks more NOTICEABLE, but dressings won't actually make them worse. Different tire companies use different chemicals, or combinatiion of chemicals, in this anti-ozonant process and this can cause some tires to brown more than others will. Once again, a tire dressing may or may not emphasize this browing, but it won't cause it.

A few years ago I had 4 cars at home, with each running a different brand of tire. All 4 vehicles were treated the same, and all tires received the same cleaning and dressing on a regular basis. Only one car, the one with Michelin tires, exhibited any browning at all, and it was fairly heavy. These were pretty new tires as well. This isn't really good, bad or otherwise, it's just the nature of the beast.

So, if the cracks aren't very deep or widespread, I wouldn't be overly concerned. But if they're starting to look deep, even they aren't huge in number, I'd talk to a tire shop I trust and probably replace them before doing any really spirited driving on them.

 

I've had these cracks blow on my trailers before. Especially my car hauler that I would only use 3 or 4 times a year. Tires were in great condition just weather cracked. I definately would recommend replacing before the 1/4 mile.

 

Replace them. tires do have an expiration. they oxidize and rot, especially if sitting in the sun.
i have also heard that SRT6's have sat many YEARS at dealerships. plus they aren't typically daily drivers for the prior owners.

don't risk your life on cracked tires.
i'm sure most would say their life is worth more than the few hundred dollars to replace them.

 

the cracks are not too deep but i will replace them, thanks everyone for all the info.

i will not be able to replace them before the trip to MIR though, we spent a big chunk of $ on landscaping over the past few weeks and I do not want to charge anything on my credit cards.

I will definately pick them up in mid-may though. If the tires look like they are getting worse i will just go ahead and charge 2 and get them put on next week.

I will wash off the car and take a few pics of the cracks later today.

Most are on the inner and outer edge on the tread of the tires but there are a few small ones on the actual edge of the sidewalls.

 

the front passenger tire has a slow leak, i had to air it up again today. it dropped from 32psi to 25psi in 3 days.

i went ahead and just ordered 2 nitto nt neogen zr 225/40/18 tires from discounttiredirect for $222 shipped. they seemed to be the best bang for the buck and have good wet and dry traction.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...w=false&cs=225

 

Great price and good insurance. Mine was one of the sitting sixes, and I might just change mine just for assurance.

 

i bet i spent a good 6 hours reading reviews on tires tonight lol. i was hoping to get a set of the Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta or Hankook k104's but the ultrac prices have skyrocketed and i couldn't find the k104's with a good price on shipping. the neogens got mostly rave reviews for wet and dry traction and noise. the others in the $100 to $130 price range either did good in the dry or good in the wet but not both.

i hate getting tires mounted around here, most of the places are hack shops and always scar up the wheels.