Tyres: What are those crack marks?

facade

neilmcl wrote: »

As you will do if you google the same with Michelin, Bridgestone etc.

Probably down to the quality of the "rubber" they use nowadays .........

Continental seem much worse than any other make though, the 3 year old Michelins on The Other Car haven't started cracking -yet , (not like the 2 year old Continental on The Car)

bigjl

The only tyres I have had in the last 10years that cracked where Continentals.

Though I have seen Good Years and Michelins cracked aswell, though usually on the sidewall.

Probably the original tyres fitted when the car was new.

Iceweasel

They won't fail an MOT unless the underlying cords are exposed.

Those cracks won't make the slightest difference to the performance or safety of the tyres.

IMHO you are worrying about nothing.

And they are nowhere near the tread wear indicators.

But it's your money.

siliconbits

Iceweasel wrote: »

They won't fail an MOT unless the underlying cords are exposed.

Those cracks won't make the slightest difference to the performance or safety of the tyres.

IMHO you are worrying about nothing.

And they are nowhere near the tread wear indicators.

But it's your money.

Iceweasel, you're the only one with a different point of view. I'd be keen to hear your arguments. Most if not all the literature I've read around the subject suggest swapping your tires when you see such cracks. Over to you (in good faith).

wrightk

Cant comment on the performance but on the MOT side; cracked tyres will not fail an MOT unless
1) the tread depth is below the legal limit
2)The cords are exposed

You will most likely receive an advisory along the lines of;
NSR/OSR tyre cracking due to age

But as the others suggested its your money/choice.

Personally with around 3mm tread left id leave it until they reach the end of their tread life then replace

Joe_Horner

siliconbits wrote: »

Iceweasel, you're the only one with a different point of view. I'd be keen to hear your arguments. Most if not all the literature I've read around the subject suggest swapping your tires when you see such cracks. Over to you (in good faith).

I'm actually with Ice on this (hence phrasing my advice as replace "sooner rather than later" not "change them now!") At the stage those are at I'd be keeping a close eye on them for further deterioration but certainly wouldn't be stressing over using them.

Bear in mind that, low though the MOT standard is, if that sort of cracking really was likely to lead to failure, then it would be on the fail list. Which it isn't.

s_b

this is a money saving forum not a lets chance it forum
the owner should as i suggested get the age of the tyres checked and also the tyres looked at by a professional eye,tyres are cheaper than wondering why you had a blowout
saying you would leave them on via a photograph is tantamount to litigation if it went pear

Iceweasel

siliconbits wrote: »

Iceweasel, you're the only one with a different point of view. I'd be keen to hear your arguments. Most if not all the literature I've read around the subject suggest swapping your tires when you see such cracks. Over to you (in good faith).

I've seen 'damage' similar to that in your pics on top 'premium' brands such as Michelin, Goodyear, Pirelli, and Dunlop tyres as well as on Contis.

Contis are no worse than any other brand for such cracking.

It's age related 'perishing' and some brands perish quicker than others.

All of the tyre manufacturers will tell you that the cracks are 'normal' and as long as the tyre passes an MOT or TÜV annual test they are safe to continue in service.

I'd personally keep on using them - but keep an eye on them - check them every couple of weeks when you check the tyre pressures.

If they are no worse than in the pics, all the way round the circumference of the tyre they will pass an MOT - probably without any advisory at all.

Of course on the other hand if you encounter a garage that wants to sell more tyres - they will tell you that they can't have it on their conscience to allow you to leave their premises with such dangerous tyres.

If the cracking really bothers you and you feel uneasy about your safety - then change them - for peace of mind if nothing else.

siliconbits

Does anyone have a list of basic things you should do to your car regularly? I'm kind of hijacking the thread but I feel that this list would be helpful to the scores of novices who like me drive a car and only worry about it when MOT time strikes. Simple things like check your tyre pressure etc.

Iceweasel

siliconbits wrote: »

Does anyone have a list of basic things you should do to your car regularly? I'm kind of hijacking the thread but I feel that this list would be helpful to the scores of novices who like me drive a car and only worry about it when MOT time strikes. Simple things like check your tyre pressure etc.

I don't think that you can hijack your own thread so don't worry about that.

A basic weekly check list would be:

Lights
Oil level
Coolant level
Windscreen-wash level
Tyre pressures