I know this sound Looney but it works. The other day i was checking my tire pressure and noticed that my tires that only have 8,000 miles on them were looking white and almost chalky. It was not from any cleaner or road grime but dry rot. So I went to grab the cheesy tire foam. Can was empty. So then I tried some penetrating oil. Empty. What can I use on the tires that would breathe new life and kill the near future dry rot? Well why not the 15quarts of used oil form the last oil change. I know crazy right. I then grabbed an old rag and smeared lightly the oil all over the side walls. It evaporated and absorbed right in to the tires. Looks great and shines. It really works, and I will never buy tire foam again.

 

Oil breaks down the rubber so keep doing that and you can spend the money you save on tire shine to buy new tires.

 

so does the dry rot. so i guess its a toss up.

 

Whatever, it's your money.

 

If the tires only have 8000 miles on them take them back and make them replace them.

 

Petroleum based tire dressing or tire shine has the same effect on the tires as the oil would. Oil does break down the wax and other properties that are put in the rubber but that is on a huge time scale. so does the dry rot on a smaller time scale. The dry rot is caused by ultra violet radiation from the sun and oxidization. The tire shine or OIL in this case protects the rubber from uv rays and prevents the dry rot form occurring while slowing down oxidization. The oil also aids in helping the tire compound maintain its flexibility. I do not see any harm in putting oil on petroleum based tire to extend the life of the tire. i however would not recommend doing this if the vehicle is sitting for long periods of time because this would put the rubber and oil on the longer time scale. In this case the oil form the tire dressing would eventually break down the rubber and destroy the wax and other properties of the tire, but by that time the tires will already have submitted to dry rot. It takes a long time for the oil to break down the rubber. By the time the oil has damaged the properties of the rubber tire you will already have gone through the tread on that tire and the next three sets.

 

You're mistaken but carry on.

 

how old are the tires? I know W/ 8K.

 

Well i have had the tires for 2 years now. No telling how long they sat in some where house somewhere. If they had dry rot on them when i got them i never stop and took a second look. I just thought they were new and nothing would be wrong with them. will not do that again.

 

hosser just be kinda carful with all that oil man cus i work in a oil change shop and what used oil does too a set of RUBBER boots is kinda scary, i go thru a set of boot every 70-90 days used oil and new oil are two totally diff animals...