Surface cracks on 2 year old tyres

[Groundes-Peace]

Has anyone had an issue with tyres this relatively new?
My son bought a set of Hankook tyres two years ago and has already found such visible surface cracking.....?

[37 RUBY]

What is the date stamp on the tyre?

https://www.hankooktire.com/mea-en/s...-sidewall.html

[DaveNP]

My personal preference is Avon ZV7 tyres (combination of performance, price, availability) but they also suffer from cracking in the bottom of the tread grooves, the place I use is fairly busy so the tyres are generally fairly fresh, the ones I had a couple of weeks ago are coded 5020 and 5120. Advice that I've found is that if it doesn't extend to the carcase fabric it's OK, and I've found once the small cracks have appeared they don't seem to get any worse, but definitely worth keeping an eye on.

[Groundes-Peace]

The tyres bought nearly 2 years ago at Kwik Fit are coded,
2218, 2118, 2518, 2118
The cracking is in the valley of the tread, ie in the groove.

[dingov70]

I see this daily when mot-ing vehicles . I talk to owners & find that those who move the least / sit on concrete surfaces / are exposed to strong sunlight seems to suffer the most .

It is not a trait of one tyre manufacturer , but all of them . In discussion with a rep form a tyre company on this issue I was informed that a larger portion of synthetic materials in the mix , may , MAY , contribute to this issue .

From an MOT standpoint fine surface cracking might be advised by a tester , but personally I only advise once the crack has opened in the rubber .

If at any time you look into a crack with a bright light & can see white threads , replace immediately .

Just a pointer , you have two tyres dated week 21 of 2018 , one from week 22 & one from week 25

[volvo always]

I have had the same in goodyear efficient grip tyres at 2-3 years old. As said fine so long as no cord showing.

On my April registered 2015 Toyota Auris Hybrid it still has the original Continental Eco Contact 6 tyres on.
They will be replaced soon as have around 3mm on fronts but tracking needs doing so shoulder wear. Rear around 4-5mm.
They have done 32,000 miles. The fronts have sidewall cracking. Had an advisory this January At Toyota for the MOT and booked in again for free safety check in March. Will replace the fronts and have alignment done.

James.

[Welton]

Its been said on here before but anything made from 'rubber' these days suffers with this type of stress, it appears to be the ratio of synthetic materials and not enough actual Rubber in my view but it is a natural resource so we've all got to be mindful of that.

[V8XCV]

I've had this on Nokian weatherproof and also a set of continental winter tyres that had been left on until the weather was too hot.

My conclusion was that the tyres had overheated, either due to weather (in the case of the winter tyres) or running too low a pressure.

In my experience once the rubber begins to crack it tends to reduce it's grip levels.

Hankook has a 5 year warranty, might be worth complaining to them.

[garethXC]

Regualr complaints are made in the Jaguar Enthusiast mag about cracking tyres ( on moderns like the XE & XJ - not classics like etype xj6 etc) mostly affectind Dunlop sportmax tyres.... so like has been said its not new.

[WABB]

Had this issue on 14 month old Bridgestone tyres with 8k miles on a new car - dealer photographed & raised with Bridgestone who responded with 'normal for tyres of this age & mileage' effectively dismissing the issue. Suffice to say I will never have Bridgestone tyres again.