weather checking on tires
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
weather checking on tires
I'm wondering how thick passenger tire sidewalls are.
my michelin mxv4 tires developed checking cracks early on, when they were still new.
It hasn't gotten much worse over the last 4-5 years. See attached.
I was curious how deep the cracks are, so I stuck a corner of a sheet of paper in some of them, and measured ~1.5-1.7 millimeters deep.
Note that these cracks are closer to the bead.
Judging by tire cross section pictures on google, this part of the tire is a little thicker than mid-sidewall.
I'm wondering if I still have enough sidewall thickness to drive safely.
I drive on the highway occasionally and haven't had any issues yet.
this is a low mileage old backup car.
That said, I'm never buying another Michelin tire for a low mileage car.
my michelin mxv4 tires developed checking cracks early on, when they were still new.
It hasn't gotten much worse over the last 4-5 years. See attached.
I was curious how deep the cracks are, so I stuck a corner of a sheet of paper in some of them, and measured ~1.5-1.7 millimeters deep.
Note that these cracks are closer to the bead.
Judging by tire cross section pictures on google, this part of the tire is a little thicker than mid-sidewall.
I'm wondering if I still have enough sidewall thickness to drive safely.
I drive on the highway occasionally and haven't had any issues yet.
this is a low mileage old backup car.
That said, I'm never buying another Michelin tire for a low mileage car.
#2
Read the tire sidewall for the week and year manufacture date. Sometimes tire dealers will sell tires that have sat years on the shelf. Rubber degrades over time even without use or uv exposure. Let us know
#4
Lexus Fanatic
I notice you have a California address. Do you drive out in the Mojave Desert or other parts of the state where it regularly gets up over 100 degrees? Heat is one of a tire's worst enemies, and can put great stress on them. Back in the 1990's, that's where many of the Ford Explorer/Firestone Wilderness notorious tire failures happened....in the desert or on very hot roads.
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
I notice you have a California address. Do you drive out in the Mojave Desert or other parts of the state where it regularly gets up over 100 degrees? Heat is one of a tire's worst enemies, and can put great stress on them. Back in the 1990's, that's where many of the Ford Explorer/Firestone Wilderness notorious tire failures happened....in the desert or on very hot roads.
I have Continental tires on my GS, which is also low mileage, and it doesn't have cracks.
I have found a lot of complaints of cracking on Michelins.
Last edited by pman6; 05-28-16 at 03:09 PM.
#6
Lexus Test Driver
Have you regularly used any tire dressing? This can sometimes help condition and prolong the life of the sidewall. Other factors have to do with proper air pressure and tires sitting a lot.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
evident
IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present)
7
05-06-15 10:42 AM
Steve2424
GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011)
4
10-24-14 04:33 PM