Michelin premiere LTX sidewall cracking

[raaizin]

Just came back from a road trip New Jersey to Florida and back. Put about 3500 miles on the car which currently has 53,000 miles on it. While cleaning the car, I noticed one tire had sidewall cracking. Tires are not quite six years old, I never ran the car under inflated, but I bought the car when it was two years old. Car is a 2019 Q5 I had a 2018 Q5, which I had to trade this on due to an electrical issue during the pandemic that car had continental and they wore a lot better than these

 

[oldcodger]

I am no expert but that sure looks like running with low air pressure.

 

[DanL13]

For one 6 years old is plenty of age for rubber to show signs of degradation. Especially if the vehicle is parked outside exposed to the sun/uv rays a lot. Secondly, welcome to Michelin tires. They tend to wear well and crack like this often.

 

[raaizin]

I have another road trip this summer guess its time for new tires!

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Is this tire normally on the passenger side and used to being parked against a curb?

 

[Stumpalump]

Every one of my old LTX have been replaced under road hazard warranty. Two of them replaced twice. They claimed to have fixed the problem but if it were me I’d buy new tires. The ones that crack separate. They start to feel lumpy and fail catastrophically and that take out body panels. The new ones do not have the problem and I will buy them again.

 

[raaizin]

Is this tire normally on the passenger side and used to being parked against a curb?

This car has never been parked against the curb

 

[CapriRacer]

Long Version: Barry's Tire Tech: Tire Aging and Weather Cracking

Short Version: According to Michelin's chart, the tire is in the Acceptable level getting ready to enter the Questionable level.

 

[AZjeff]

It's what Michelins do. The OE LTXs on my 2021 GMC haven't started cracking yet but it's 100% garage kept.

@CapriRacer thanks for checking in.

 

[Cujet]

Long Version: Barry's Tire Tech: Tire Aging and Weather Cracking

Short Version: According to Michelin's chart, the tire is in the Acceptable level getting ready to enter the Questionable level.

This is correct. The outer rubber sidewall is not structural in any way, it is protective.

 

[dfarr67]

Better to shop out of season when you NEED them. I've never worn out a set of tires- THIS kills them first.

 

[nwjones18]

That’s the reason I don’t buy Michelin tires… I’m normally replacing tires due to age not wear, and in my experience they age faster than other brands.

 

[BHopkins]

Do you use oil based tire shine on your tires? And if yes, is it UV blocking? Oil based tire shine products are notorious for causing early tire cracking, if they don't have UV blocking in them.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Michelin doing Michelin things ..

 

[MParr]

Typical Michelin with a little age on it.

 

[rijndael]

IME, 6 year old tires tend to start having compound changes too. Some seem to lose traction, as if the rubber is hardening, when there's plenty of tread life.

 

[walterjay]

I quit buying Michelin tires several years ago because of cracking. I had truck tires with about 50% wear crack badly. Michelin refused any warranty or liability. Since then have used only Continentals. And the Contis have also worn more slowly.

 

[4WD]

Seems premiere-ture

 

[4WD]

I quit buying Michelin tires several years ago because of cracking. I had truck tires with about 50% wear crack badly. Michelin refused any warranty or liability. Since then have used only Continentals. And the Contis have also worn more slowly.

Same, and chipping on gravel roads …

 

[raaizin]

I quit buying Michelin tires several years ago because of cracking. I had truck tires with about 50% wear crack badly. Michelin refused any warranty or liability. Since then have used only Continentals. And the Contis have also worn more slowly.

Yes last set of Michelins for me. Had many sets of Continentals never an issue and they wear much better.