If you have never heard of the term “weather cracks”, don’t fret. Weather travels are usually caused by air bubbles in between the tire casing and the rubber.
Some major causes of cracked tires are:
- Bumpy roads are one of the biggest causes, but potholes can also cause these cracks to form.
- Using the tires for a long period of time.
- High humidity and temperature
- The tire is of low quality
- Not proper maintenance
How to know whether the tires are cracked or not? There is only one answer to this: cleaning! All auto shops know how important it is to keep your car lubricated and in top shape. One mundane task that many people often skip is keeping their tires cleaned. After all, what could be easier? But neglecting to clean a tire can lead to a blowout while you are driving down the highway.
While cleaning the tires one should also keep an eye out for any spots or stains on the tire that may be indicating spotting of another problem. If you see a spot that looks like it is getting worse, you’ll need to have your tires removed and inspected. You may need a new tire.
However, weather cracked tires aren’t that difficult to fix! Before thinking of replacing tires one can attempt the techniques to fix them.
Method 1: Sealing With Sealant
- Let the tires cool down and check for cracks on them.
- The next thing is to remove the tires. That is when the cracking from both inside and outside is visible.
- Clean the area of the tire that is in need of repair. One can use carburetor cleaners that are easily available at the repair shops. Spray the cleaner on the cracks and let them dry.
- After the cleaning, an appropriate amount of sealant is to be prepared. The sealant is then to be applied onto the tires and clean up the excess that is spread on the tire surface.
- Reinflate the tires and estimate a pressure level using the pressure gauge.
- Reset the tire and check again whether all the cracks have been sealed and then the car is ready for a spin.
Method 2: Fixing the Crack Externally Through a Protectant
- Let the tires cool down and check for cracks on them.
- The tires need to be removed as one cannot fix the crack while they are still intact with the car.
- A degreaser is to be applied to the tires after the cracks are identified. The degreaser has an instruction manual, so using them should be easy. It’s best to use a sponge as it will help in spreading evenly on the tires covering the surface. Leave the degreaser on for a few minutes.
- Then use a clean cloth to wipe it off. Be extra careful with cracks.
- Wash the tire gently. There is no specific time limit for the same so clean it until you are satisfied that it is clean now.
- Apply the protective agent on the entire surface of the tire and not just the crack areas.
- Reinstall the tire and if you have reviewed and believe that the tire has been fixed. If not, repeat the steps again.
Method 3: Using a Tire Patch Kit
- To fix a tire that is cracked, one only has to use a tire patch kit. These kits are usually made of glue or some sealant that can be sealed onto the inside of the tire. Also, you will usually want to cut off a little bit of your tire, as this helps your repair not stick out and make a weird sound when you drive.
- To apply the patches, use your hands to spread out 1/2-inch layers on both sides of the crack. Then, rub your hands together to put some kind of sealant onto the patches.
- Then, take your repair and stick it into your tire. You can do this by hand, but you should use something like a sponge if you want it to go in more smoothly. Then, don’t forget to let the glue dry out before driving with your repaired tire!
This process isn’t all that difficult and anyone can do it. You can go to a much larger tire shop if you don’t feel comfortable with this, but most of them have the same process. Now you know how to clean your tires and keep them looking good!
Precautions to Avoid Weather Cracked Tires
Let’s look at some precautions to save your tires from getting cracked.
- Never Park Your Vehicle in Direct Sunlight
When you park your vehicle in direct sunlight for a longer period, your tire may face the following problems:
- There is light grease on tires when new.
- Due to continuous exposure to the sun, the grease may get removed from the tire’s surface, and the cracks are visible.
- Keep Your Tires Perfectly Clean
When your tires continuously come in contact with dirt or on rainy days, they tend to get drier because the dirt sucks all the glee and shine from the surface. This produces the possibility of cracks in tires due to the drying.
So, clean your tires frequently when the weather changes. It will undoubtedly increase their life.
- Maintain Air Pressure According to Your Vehicle’s Manual
This is the most critical yet neglected point- always drive with the correct air pressure. When it comes to tire air pressure, it should be neither low nor excessive. Always maintain it as mentioned in the manual.
