Are cracks in a tire sidewall dangerous?
Even very minor cracking should be cause for concern. One cause of cracking is age. Many experts and vehicle makers state six-years is the maximum safe life of a tire. The cracking can be a symptom of even more serious problems. See our Detailed Topic article Old Tires With Good Tread for far more details. Severe cracking at low age is usually a defect in the tire, a deficiency in manufacturing. This can be very dangerous and the tire should not be used.
