Tire Care

[blkexp98]

What do yall use to maintain your tires. I have noticed that both sets of my tires are getting cracks in the sides. Its on two different vehicles and michelin tires so i know the tires are good quality wise. Ive used turtle wax tire dressing, Zaino tire dressing and some other low gloss tire dressing i cant think of but is common in most local chains.

Thanks,

Major

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I like Maguire's Edurance gel;not overly shiney and stays a nice solid black for a few weeks to a month.

 

[Pirate VI]

I had to get Michelin to replace some of my stock crossterrains under warrantee because of cracks in the side (dry rot) They referred me to tire kingdom who told me and actually showed me some paperwork saying that tire dressings damage the tires. The chemicals like alcohol and petroleum contribute to early degradation of the rubber. Apparently if it can be proven (I don't see how) that you regularly used tire dressings then it will void the warrantee on the tires.
I no longer use any tire dressings on my tires for this reason... maybe there are some that are safe, but I would rather just use car wash soap and water, and my tires stay black and look clean even without the dressings.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I've never heard that and in 20 years of using tire dressing I've never had a tire degrade before I wore the tread out even after more than 5 years and it's time that is the #1 culprit in tire degredation. I've had my Nittos for over 4 years and use dressing at least 10-15 times a year and my sidewalls still look new with no signs of degradation period.

I think not using a dressing is worse but I'm going to do some research but I think that rumor is a bit overblown but I'd like to see some facts.

 

[blkexp98]

The only other thing i can think of that ive done out of the ordinary is filling the tires with nitrogen. It really caught me off guard with the crackin. It looks like dry rot almost. Like if you left a unused trailer sit for a while without maintaining the tires.


Just thinking of other culprits, I use maguires gold class soap or zaino soap and occasionally used bleach white to clean the tires but followed that up with dressing within an hour. I have been to an automatic car wash but always tell them ill do most of the finishing including the tire dressing.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

IMO bleach is a bad idea but alot of people use it. Bleach is a caustic liquid and just doesn't seem like it should be used on rubber.
Bleach seems to be a holdover from a previous generation or two.

Where are the cracks forming exactly?

 

[blkexp98]

They are on the sidewall pretty much from top to bottom but they only really show up on the bottom where the tire bulges from the 4runners weight. They are cracked in the same place on my explorer.

As far as the bleach white tire cleaner ive never had an issue with it before but quit using it a while back. Those sets of tires never had crack issues.

I may try to go to the dealer one day and see what they say as far as the 4runner. I bought the tires on my explorer from Sams so it wouldnt surprise me if they were old stock or seconds.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Yeah,it sounds more like a tire issue.

 

[MikesToy]

I have tried several different ones and they all leave some black powder residue on the side doors. Until I found Armorall Tire Foam Advanced. The one with the gold cover. It's the only Armorall product i use. lol

 

[dc.T4x4R]

What do yall use to maintain your tires. I have noticed that both sets of my tires are getting cracks in the sides. Its on two different vehicles and michelin tires so i know the tires are good quality wise. Ive used turtle wax tire dressing, Zaino tire dressing and some other low gloss tire dressing i cant think of but is common in most local chains.

Thanks,

Major

I've been using Meguiars NXT Gen. Soap, with a tire brush, while washing the car. After the tires dry, I use "Meguiars Natural Shine Vinyl & Rubber Protectant." I've found that it's easier to work with and doesn't give you that "over spray" that gets all over the siding of the T4R. Spray onto and apply with a tire foam applicator. Here ya go: http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.asp?T1=MEG+G4116

 

[ALFORDThomas]

Tire rotation is another part of standard maintenance that can help extend the lifespan of your tires. Often times when tires begin to display signs of uneven wear, it's not necessary to replace them just yet.
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