What Is Tire Dry Rot? When To Replace Dry Rotting Tires

What 'Dry Rot' Means

Dry rot is the deterioration of tire rubber due to age, lack of use, or exposure to harsh conditions. Dry rot tires can show visible cracking in a tire's tread or sidewall. Direct sunlight can take a terrible toll on rubber, making dry rot more likely. Although dry rot isn't always preventable, regular use and proper storage can help. Tires with signs of dry rot are much more prone to catastrophic failure. It's important to check your tires regularly and replace them if dry rot is evident.

Four things cause dry rot in tires:

• Age
• Weather
• Lack of use
• Poor tire care

In the next sections of this post, we explain how each factor affects a tire's life. In reality, it's a combination of age, weather, lack of use, and poor tire care that contribute to tires drying out and rotting. 

What Causes Tire Dry Rot

Dry rot on tires isn’t always your fault! Over the years, tire rubber will age and crack under normal use. Unfortunately, you will eventually always have to replace your tires. That said, there are some factors that will influence how quickly your tires will dry rot. Let’s look at the three big ones — and how you can help prevent cracking, splitting, and rotting.

Shop for Tires

How Age Affects Tires and Drying Rot

Did you know that tires have limited shelf lives? All tires sold in the U.S. are required to be stamped with their manufacturing date. In this post, What do the numbers on tires mean, we explain the letters and numbers commonly seen on the sidewalls. Look for the DOT stamp on your tire — the last four numbers are the week and year the tire was made. A tire with 0325 was made in the third week of 2025.

Rubber can be made from organic and synthetic materials, both of which eventually break down. You've no doubt seen old, dried-up rubber bands. They look and feel dry and cracked — and snap apart easily. The same thing happens with tire rubber over time, whether it’s on a bicycle, trailer, or daily driver.

Most vehicle tires have a usable lifespan of 5 to 6 years, even if the tread still looks good. Once the rubber compound starts to degrade, cracks can form — especially in the sidewalls — and dry rot sets in.

How Vehicle Storage Affects Dry Rotting

If you have to store a vehicle (vintage car, UTV, equipment, even bicycles and motorcycles), these steps may help prolong the usable lifespan of your tires:

• Try to store the vehicle so there’s no weight on the tires. If that’s not possible, move the vehicle once every month or so to redistribute the weight.
• Store vehicles out of direct sunlight and harsh weather. Cover the vehicle and tires to protect from UV rays during storage.
• If possible, leave the tires on the wheels (rather than storing tires and wheels separately), and maintain recommended air pressure — even when the vehicle isn’t being used.

How Climate Affects Dry Rot in Tires

Climate plays a big role in how quickly tires dry out and crack. People who live in arid regions — like the deserts of California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico — often see sidewall cracking sooner than drivers in more humid or moderate climates. The dry heat speeds up the breakdown of rubber.

Even how often you drive matters. Take two identical tires, made on the same day: one is driven daily, and the other sits on a stored vehicle. The tire that’s in storage is subject to chemical aging, while the tire that's used daily is subject to chemical and mechanical aging. This begs the question, why don't stored tires last longer than daily used ones? Because the rubber compounds in tires activate only when the tire is actually being flexed (driven on) and warmed through use, and that activation is what keeps the rubber healthier for longer.¹ 

Regular use keeps tires flexible and helps prevent sidewall weathering. This is also why many tire preservatives or UV-blocking sprays don’t work as advertised. Modern tires are already built with compounds that resist dry rot. But they still need to be driven regularly to stay in good shape.

What Prevents Dry Rot in Tires?

The best way to prevent dry rot in tires is to be mindful of how you’re storing your vehicle when it’s not in use. We recommend storing your vehicle out of direct sunlight and driving it at least once a month to prevent dry rot. Proper tire maintenance will also help your tires last longer (see our 5-point tire maintenance checklist). This includes regularly rotating them and keeping them properly inflated. 

That said, older tires are more susceptible to dry rot and cracking. Purchasing higher quality, new tires from reputable brands will help you get the most life out of your tires. Used tires are much more susceptible to dry rot. 

If you notice that your tires are cracking, splitting, or getting dry rot, we recommend replacing them as soon as you can. 

How to Spot Dry Rot on Tires

Dry rot in tires can look like tiny, thin lines, like you'd see in crackle-finish pottery. You can spot them on the sidewalls, as well as in the grooves between the tread blocks or in the grooves. 

If you spot cracks in your treads or sidewalls, it's time to shop for tires. 

Dry rot can appear as very fine vein-like lines in a tire. Even unused tires can dry out and rot, especially if they're left in the sun or outdoor weather too long. 

Look closely at the above photo and in the 10 o'clock position, you can see what appears to be a crack in the tire. This is likely tread separation and not dry rot. Tread separation is just as dangerous and needs immediate attention.

The above shows severe dry rot.

The above photo shows a closeup of a vehicle that's likely in storage, as both driver's side tires are flat. Not only does the rear tire show evidence of dry rot and tread separation, but the tread depth seems is beyond unsafe.

How to Fix Dry Rotted Tires

We do not recommend that you repair or patch tires that have dry rot. Tires that have started to crack and dry are no longer safe. We're not saying this just because we sell tires — we'd say this no matter what business we were in. Don't drive on bad tires. They are in danger of blowout. This includes tires with:

• Any stage of dry rot
• Tread separation
• Bubbles or bulges
• Severe cupping   

You will find products for sale that claim to fix dry rot on tires. The only time to "fix" a dry rotted tire is to get it to the auto shop to replace the tire.  

FAQs About Tire Dry Rot

Are dry rotted tires safe?

No, dry rotted tires are not safe for you to drive on. The small cracks on your tire can widen or spread over time, which weakens the tire structure. Hitting a bump or pothole — and even routine driving — can cause a sudden blowout, which can lead to an accident. Because dry rotted tires are such a risk to you and your car, if you notice evidence of dry rot, replace your tires as soon as possible. 

What does tire dry rot looks like?

If you see fine, vein-like cracks spreading across a sidewall, it's a sign that the rubber is drying out, and the tire should be replaced. The cracks may appear to be shallow at first, but over time, they will deepen and even multiply. 

Is a little dry rot on tires OK?

If you notice a little dry rot, it’s a sign that the tire needs to be replaced. Any dry rot can be potentially dangerous. One small crack can grow and lead to more. 

Does tire shine prevent dry rot?

No, tire shine does not prevent dry rot. The best way to prevent tire dry rot is to drive on tires regularly, keep them properly inflated, have them rotated and inspected every few months (with your oil changes).

Does tire shine cause dry rot?

Most tire shine won’t cause dry rot on its own, but it does contain chemical solvents that can damage your tire over time if overused. Tire shine is known to break down your tire’s rubber over time.  

Can you buy UV protection for tires?

Yes, UV protection is something you can buy but the real question is, do they actually work? According to Consumer Reports, several tire manufacturers do not recommend using tire dressing, especially for prolonging a tire's life. Today's tires are built to resist ozone and UV damage. Rubber conditioner for tires will make them look pretty, but it doesn't prolong your tire's life.

Do tire warranties cover dry rot?

No, tire warranties usually don’t cover dry rot because it’s a sign of age, not an issue with how the tire was manufactured. Tire warranties usually compare treadwear to the tire's expected lifespan and may cover the difference. You can learn more about how tire warranties work here. 

How long can you drive on dry rotted tires?

There’s no safe amount of time that you can drive on dry rotted tires. Every time you drive on a dry rotted or cracked tire, you’re risking a bubble, blowout, or complete failure. Tires failing while you’re driving are dangerous to you and your vehicle, so we don’t recommend driving on dry rotted tires at all. 

How long before tires dry rot? 

The industry standard puts tire lifespan between 6 and 10 years, though many recommend replacement at 6 years. The real "life" of a tire is more about miles driven, which depends on your driving style, terrain you drive on, vehicle you drive, vehicle weight, and climate. No matter how old a tire is or how many miles it's been driven, if you notice cracks in the sidewalls, you should replace the tire immediately. 

How do you stop dry rot on tires?

Once tires have dried and started cracking, it's time to replace them. You can prevent tires from drying out by caring for them: Drive on them regularly, keep them properly inflated, and rotate your tires according to manufacturer recommendations.

Can you prevent tires from dry rot?

To get the most miles from your tires, do the following:

• Always make sure your tires are properly inflated. 
• Drive on your tires regularly.
• Move vehicles in storage every couple months, if possible.   

---

¹ For more on this see NTSB Tire Safety Symposium.

ID 71387345 | Closeup Flat Tire | Toa555 | Dreamstime.com