I bought a Cherokee about 5 months ago. The tires were fairly new. No older than 2 months old. Two weeks after I purchased it I bought some rims and had them installed. They were slightly wider and a little taller than the ones used prior, but not by much. I've noticed that the tires are turning brown. I use a tire protectant about once a week so I dont think its sun/element caused fading. There is a strip of brown about a 1/2 inch wide circling the inside near the edge of the rim and a larger strip about 3 inches wide circling the part before it turns into tread. It is really noticable compared to my families other cars. My question is is this normal? Could they be fading because they've been stretched to fit the new rims? Are they possibly overfilled with air? Could it be dangerous? Am I just overreacting to normal tire wear?The tread is in good shape and I don't want to replace them is it isn't nessecary. Any info would be appreciated. Call me crazy if you must.
2006-08-22 21:16:42 · 4 answers · asked by drnotwhoyouthinkiam 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The brown discoloration is from the anti-oxidants in the rubber compounds in the areas near the rim and near the tread. They discolor when exposed to o3. The anti-oxidants help to prevent the rubber that is exposed to the atmosphere from cracking. The mid sidewall area of a white sidewall or white letter tire has a thin protective strip of rubber over it that is buffed away to expose the white compound. This expensive thin protective strip is compounded differently and does not have anti-oxidants in it. If it did, the white compound would discolor to brown also. Bottom line, your tire is OK.
A Tire Engineer in Akron
2006-08-23 02:14:40 · answer #1 · answered by akronengineer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your tires are fine I race cars and have that problem on my trailer tires and they are basically brand new. don't worry, just clean them well and apply tire dressing . but the brown will come back. just clean them again and tire dress them
2014-05-31 10:57:39 · answer #2 · answered by PETE 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Time for new tires. They are stretched passed their normal wear!
2006-08-23 04:18:38 · answer #3 · answered by Kewl__Kat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should have them checked soon as possible by someone in the tire business, someone that would know, don't take chances, be safe.
2006-08-23 04:28:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋