If your vehicle is showing cracks, dry rot, or flaking rubber on the tire sidewall, here are the most likely causes and the parts you'll need to fix each one.
Over time, UV rays, ozone, and temperature fluctuations naturally break down the rubber compounds in the tire, causing it to become brittle and crack.
Tires contain protective anti-ozonant chemicals that are distributed through the rubber as the tire rolls. If a vehicle sits parked for months at a time, these chemicals aren't distributed, leading to premature dry rot.
Driving with low tire pressure or carrying too much weight causes excessive flexing and heat buildup in the sidewall, which degrades the rubber structure and accelerates cracking.
Using petroleum-based tire shines or harsh cleaning chemicals can strip the protective compounds from the rubber, causing the sidewall to dry out, crack, and flake prematurely.