Michelin tire with developing crack

[Cressida]

I think I've learned from Capri and others here that a crack in this area means it's time for the tire to be taken out of service. I'm a bit disappointed in it being a Michelin that was made in 2014. Yes I do know to replace tires by 10 years of age ( and sometimes earlier depending on what part of the country you are in) but this older vehicle usually isn't driven but 4 to 5k miles per year.

To further sharpen my eye; this crack in that sidewall / tread interface area is enough now that we should be concerned and this one is done - correct ?

 

[Jdeere562]

Personally, I would retire those tires ASAP and get a new set.

 

[Dave9]

Yes, and if you deflate it with weight on it, you may see tons more tiny cracks in the sidewall already, or completely unusable if it loses enough air on its own to do this and makes the cracks far worse. I'd get one last drive out of them to the tire store, while they still hold air, and go slow doing so on a dry day.

Edit: Looking closer, I already see tons of cracks in the sidewall besides the larger one at the tread edge, safest bet would be remove wheels and take to tire store without driving on them. Your gamble.

 

[LazyDog]

My Michelin's develop side wall cracks like dry mud at 6 years point. This puts them on the do not buy list for me!

 

[bullwinkle]

Wondering why such a high end, big $ tire manufacturer can’t stop this from happening? Too much money for these tires for this issue.

 

[atikovi]

Those are external cracks? And it holds air? I'd drive it on an infrequently used car, just not at 70 mph, but that's just me. At least make sure you have a working spare and jack.

 

[miden851]

we have Michelin XTour AS, from 2019; one of the best tires I've used; i'd buy them again

 

[nwjones18]

My Michelin's develop side wall cracks like dry mud at 6 years point. This puts them on the do not buy list for me!

I've had similar experiences

 

[71Chevyguy]

Every Michelin I have ever had did this. My newest set of Michelins disappointed in a different way. I have a set of Premiers that are just a hair above the wear bars at almost 23k. I have never purchased a set myself, either came on the car when new or in this recent case bought it used with receipts from Costco for the set at over $600. Never going to buy Michelin and not sure I understand why they are loved.

I have a set of Nokian Entyres on the LeSabre that are just about at 85k I think and will be getting replaced because I don't want them failing with so many miles on them. Not really cracking and still plenty of tread left, probably at least 6/32, very pleased with that set of tires that I got at Walmart for $32 each. But I do depend on the car for long comfortable trips and prefer to just have fresh tires on it at this point. It is getting upgraded to 16" wheels and a set of Pirelli P4s that I got at Walmart for $51 each. To each their own I guess.

 

[Nick1994]

Surprise surprise.

 

[mrsilv04]

That crack is well beyond "developing"...

 

[CapriRacer]

To OP:

Yup, that tire is done.

I know you said the tire was built in 2014, but since we are in the end of the year, if the tire was built in early 2014, that would make the tire closer to 8 years old - and 8 years in Joplin, MO sounds about right.

Also, that low mileage doesn't help with weather cracking. The AO's (Antioxidants) need exercise to migrate to the tire's surface. If they don't, surface cracking will start.

Wondering why such a high end, big $ tire manufacturer can’t stop this from happening? Too much money for these tires for this issue.

It's a matter of the Laws of Chemistry.

Oxygen attacks the bonds in the rubber molecule - and the more heat, the faster this takes place. That's why tires in - say - Phoenix, don't last as long as tires in - say - Minneapolis.

Adding AO's (Antioxidants) and waxes to the rubber matrix slow this process down, but those have to be on the surface to be effective. Regular exercise helps migrate those to the surface - which didn't happen here.

Adding more AO's helps, but it is a law of diminishing returns. Twice as much doesn't equal twice the life.

Then there is the matter of tire dressings. Some strip the dull waxes off and leave a shiny, but vulnerable surface. Try to use dressings that have AO's as part of the mix. (Hint: If the dressing causes the black to come off. it's harming the rubber!)

And it is inevitable. It's just a matter of time. Yes, there are types of rubber that are resistant to cracking, but those are unsuitable for use in the working parts of a tire.

Some tire manufacturers will use a crack resistant rubber in the sidewall, but that disguises the condition of a tire. Put another way: Cracks = Bad! But no cracks do not equal Good!

 

[Lubener]

There's cracking taking place all over that tire which should have been scrapped long ago.

 

[walterjay]

I no longer waste my money on Michelin tires. I had a cracking problem pretty early on. They refused to warrant it. I now use Continental. IMHO they are superior in every way to Michelin.

 

[ryster]

Yikes. A tire like that would scare the daylights out of me to the point I would literally drop everything to get new tires.

 

[walterjay]

Thinking back to my Michelin experience the tire began cracking in the tread at about 4 years. By 5 years they were pretty bad. And sadly had only about 20K miles on them.

 

[michaelluscher]

If they hold air, I'd drive them

...to the tire shop for new ones

 

[mattd]

That tire is scrap.

 

[The Critic]

My Michelin's develop side wall cracks like dry mud at 6 years point. This puts them on the do not buy list for me!

Wondering why such a high end, big $ tire manufacturer can’t stop this from happening? Too much money for these tires for this issue.

How long do you expect tires to last? Average driver is driving 10-15K/yr. 6 years is 60-90K miles; how many tires last longer than that?

For the average driver who actually uses their vehicles, this is really a non-issue.

 

[dareo]

Michelins are a use em or lose them kind of tire. I still buy them anyway, even knowing they will likely rot and be "wasted" years later. I'l pay for the performance and ride quality.