Re: Picked up my daily driver and was told the tires are again rotted....

Posted by Jim On 2013/10/14 23:31:56

Hi Pat, yes there is a product. It's called 303.Myself and others use it extensively here in Phoenix, Arizona. A good friend who has a truck yard here did extensive testing on it several decades ago and found beyond a doubt it retarded weather checking and extended the life of the tire exposed to the sun. It also seems to help keep the rubber supple.

That said, be very careful with modern radial tires with regards to age and depending on the environment they live in. I believe that as mentioned some get 20 years out of radials, and others, including myself in harsh climates as here in Phoenix get 4 years. I also think use is a factor, as when radials sit they don't seem to work the chemicals in the tires and tend to not stay a supple. Oddly, bias and original mold bias reproduction tires don't seem to suffer from effects of age near as bad as radial tires. I've got sets that are well in excess of 20 years that are fine. One might argue it's because there not in the sun. Not really the case, because radials stored the exact same way are known here in this climate to spontaneously rupture belting and explode like a shotgun blast right where they sit.

Bottom line, be vary careful with aged tires in general, especially radial tires. I continue to use 303 and believe it to afford benefit in this and other climates but don't profess it to truly extend life beyond manufacturers recommended life.