Your tires take a beating out on the road every time you drive your car. They’re designed to withstand long days spent rubbing against rough asphalt and gravel roads. You may wonder how they could benefit from tire covers. Covering your tires helps protect them from the sun and other weather when they’re not in use. For cars that sit in the driveway most of the year, or spare tires that hang off the back of your car, tire covers are necessary to prevent cracking.
Why Protect Your Tires?
Just like you cover precious leather upholstery with custom fit seat covers, unused or seldom used tires should be protected from the elements when they aren’t in use. Tire covers are designed specifically to keep them covered and in top condition, even when they are not in use. Tire protection is especially important for any tires that aren’t used frequently. That means that spare tires or the tires on a car you don’t drive regularly are at risk for developing cracks or losing their integrity. Tires that get a good amount of use actually age better than those that go unused. The pressure and friction from driving makes tire rubber heat up and stretch, bringing protective waxes and other substances to the surface. The best tire protection will keep the rubber from degrading even while in storage.
Sun Protection
UV rays from the sun can do a huge amount of damage, and it often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. Stay ahead of the game by purchasing tire covers for any car you have that spends a lot of time outside. Prevent tire damage before it even occurs, so your tires stay intact and reliable. Some of the potential results of unprotected tires include:
- Dry rot
- Cracking rubber
- Blowout on the street
Dry rot isn’t contagious between tires. Instead, it describes tire decay that comes from either age or exposure to the elements. It starts out as tiny cracks in the rubber, which occur as oils and waxes leave the tire and make it less pliable.
Signs of Tire Damage
Keep a close eye on your tires to observe potential damage. One of the first signs of damage is a lighter color of rubber. When they look gray, instead of black, that may mean dry rot is starting. This may happen along with other signs, like cracking. Sidewall cracking is present even in less severe cases. They might appear along the hubcap. Cracks on the tread are more significant, and can affect your car’s traction and the evenness of the drive. Finally, brittleness is associated with dry rot. Flaking and breakdown of the rubber can occur with dry rot. Just as you should invest in the best indoor and outdoor car covers for vehicles that aren’t in use every day, you should cover your tires so that they will be in perfect condition when you need them. Canvas tire storage covers fit over and around the entire unit, shielding it from dust and dirt along with the elements.
Tire protection is just as important as other forms of car maintenance. Sun damage can hide in plain sight, causing dry rot and irreversible damage. Put your mind at ease with high quality tire covers.
