Dry Rot as the name implies is basically the decay of things such as plants, wood, or even tires as the case may be. Dry Rot in tires occurs when the tire has been used over time and it loses its protective resin which is meant to keep the tire in shape. Therefore, when is dry rot on tires dangerous?
Dry rots in tires are dangerous when they become too obvious that they can cause an accident that can claim lives and properties. Dry rot causes the tires to lose their grip and burst while driving at a high or lower speed.
When you notice that your tire is beginning to frail, lose shape and flexibility and structurally lose its shape, these are signs of dry rot in tires.
Vehicle owners should take note of all these signs because they can burst or blow out when traveling at a high speed on the express which can result in the loss of lives.
Is Dry Rot on Tires Dangerous?
Dry Rot on tires is extremely dangerous because the tires can lose their grip and burst while driving at a high speed on the highway and also dangerous to drive at a slower pace because the tire can no longer grip and firm on the road.
Dry rot can cause holes and leakage in tires and this can cause the tire to burst. It is important that riders constantly check their tires to ensure that their deficiency and dry rot are totally avoided.
When is Dry Rot on Tires Dangerous?
Dry rot on tires is very dangerous when it can cause the loss of human lives. If the tire bursts on the highway as a result of rots, it can lead to an accident that can cost so many lives.
If you can see the dry rot all over your tire, it’s obvious that it’s dangerous to continue driving such a car.
A car with dry rot is prone to an accident due to the bad state of the tire used because dry rot allows tires to lose pressure and without prior notice when driving fast on the highway can cause a burst and can result in an accident which might result in loss of life and properties
Can Tires Dry Rot in 3 Years?
Hence, tires can experience dry rot in 3 years if it was parked for 3 years without use. Tires tend to lose flexibility and their durability at a minimum of 3-5 years and a maximum of 10 years.
However, factors responsible for the rot in tires at any condition or time frame includes factor such as temperature, accumulation of road chaff, and dross.
It also includes other factors such as stationary parking of a car for a long time without moving the car and this causes the tire to age and dry.
How Long Does It Take for Tires to Dry Rot?
It takes about 6 to 10 years before any tire begins to decompose or experience dry rot but factors relating to atmospheric temperature, transport of the tire, and all other factors tend to allow tires to experience dry rot as early as 3-5 years.
But there are ways to prevent dry rot in tires so early at the commencement of the use of the tire and some of which include:
- Clean and properly dry tires before storage and transport
- Store tires in a cool and dry place, because after production of tire decomposing starts to set in but proper storage and maintenance would prevent such
- Keep tires in an impermeable plastic bag
- Store tires in a good position
- Ensure that you move your cars at intervals, because the static placement of a car for a long time at the same spot will result in dry rot and decomposing of the tire
- Ensure to always check the nature of your tires to notice if dry rot is beginning to act on your tires.
- Clean your tires and spray with tire protective chemicals to prevent dry rot
- Drivers should also ensure that their tires are properly inflated as prescribed in the manufacturer’s manual
Is it OK to Drive on Dry Rotted Tires?
Tires with dry rot are totally unsafe to drive in and this is because when a tire is dry rotted it becomes easy to inflate because it no longer has a grip on the road and can result in accidents, and damage to other vehicles amongst others.
It is important to note that vehicles with dry rot will have cracks. Hence, it’s impossible to inflate because the air pressure immediately leaves as soon as it gets into the tire.
The only time advisable to drive a car with a dry-rotted tire is when you’re taking it for repair or a total change at a mechanic shop.
How Do You Fix Dry Rotted Tires?
It is important to note that dry rotted tires in extreme cases can not be resolved or fixed, but in mild cases, they can be corrected and fixed with tire sealants. However, precautions should be taken so as to avoid complicated cases.
If you cannot seal the tire by yourself, it is advisable to take it to a technician to do the work for you. Tires are not something that should be joked with. You should do it right to avoid stories that touch, If possible, change to a new tire.
In mild cases of dry rot, the following procedures can be followed to correct or prevent a full-blown case of dry rot:
- Examine your tires at intervals especially before taking them out for a ride, be sure that the tire is in good shape before you take it out on a ride.
- Ensure that you don’t leave a car parked at a point for too long because dry rot tends to act on tires that are static for a long while.
- Drivers should ensure that tires are properly washed and dry before storing them
- Tires that are exposed to direct sunlight while in storage are prone to suffer from dry rot. So it’s safe to keep tires away from direct sunlight.
- Drivers should ensure that they buy quality tires from the appropriate tire vendors to would save them from buying tires that have dry rot
- The place of constant checking of tires before and after driving cannot be overemphasized, drivers need to get familiar with this. This is to help monitor the condition of tires aside from dry rot.
Tires with dry rot result in leakage and expansion, which can result in accidents or hazards of any kind.
Conclusion
Dry rot is one of the many things that can happen to the tires of vehicles. Hence, it’s important to constantly check tires as relevant and ensure that they are properly inflated when deflated.
Drivers should also ensure that tires that have been used for over 5 years be changed, this would prevent cases of dry rot and any other tire problems.
Dry Rot in tires occurs when the tire has been used over time and loses its protective resin which is meant to keep the tire in shape.
So aside from constant checks, drivers and riders should ensure that expired tires are changed and not wait till it is affected by one tire dry rot or any tire deficiency.
Dry rot is extremely dangerous and cannot be patched or corrected, this is more reason to totally or minimally avoid dry rot in tires. Aside from the fact that it can damage the tires in question, it can be very dangerous to live and cause damage to properties. Replace the tires with new ones.