Was looking at my tires today and noticed some cracks, what I would consider serious cracks in between the treads. I don't get why these tires only have like 8k miles on them. What do you think? It's only on the rear tires. Too much pressure? From fast cornering?

how old are the tires? is this car a toy that gets limited use? Looks like the tires are dried out. Tires 5 years old can be dangerous . . .

http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/how-...our-tires.html

I don't put many miles on the 79 annually but when a tire starts to develop cracks . . .

+1
Read clear down thru the article where it tells how to read the DOT manufacture date of the tires. If they are 6 years old or older, ditch 'em quick.
Tire Rack also has the same information if you want a cross reference.

Using tire dressings excessively to make them black and shiny can do the same thing too....

but that stuff would not be down where he's got the cracks ... down in the tread lines, not the outside surface

and either way, doesn't really matter what caused the cracks, once they develop the tire is getting weaker every day.

and knowing how to read the manufacture date can be very helpful when buying new tires. Are the tires 'on sale'? Because they are old?

And sure, someone is going to come back and say 'I rode on cracked tires like that for XXXX miles' ... if you PUSH the car ... I'd be replacing ...

The tires were brand new when I bought the car 6 months ago. I drive it pretty hard but only on the street no auto x. Only the rears are cracked which leads me to believe its from cornering. Just worries me a bit. I'd hate to buy new ones to see it happen again.

Also they are Bridgestone potenzas grid. All season tire, i know, not something I should be pounding corners with.

"brand new" doesn't tell you how long they were in storage before being sold.

The last four digits in the DOT number stamped on the sidewall of the tire represent the week and year of manufacture. The tires have a five-year workmanship and materials warranty.

Driving hard does not make rubber dry out and crack. It makes it harden from heat.

Yes I agree they could have been sitting for years. I'll have to check when I get home. Would be nice for them to warranty them if they aren't old and shouldn't be cracky with so few miles on them.

Since you bought those only 6 months ago I'd be talking to the folks who sold them to you. That is unacceptable.

They were on the car when purchased so i dont kno how to go about it. It's definitely unacceptable for a big name tire to look like this after such a short time.

"Brand new" tires pop up for sale here often with only a couple thousand miles, BUT VERY OLD by delivery date......possible the prior owner bought them "new" from somebody who drove very little or simpley did not use those tires on their rims...
Folks seem to get new rims and tires pretty often....then store their old ones, thinking they "might use them"....then after 5 years or so, decide to sell them....so ALWAYS look at the dates.

looks like dry rot to me, but get a new set asap. but do all season are more vulnerable to have dry rot compare to summer?

Since you did not buy the tires there probably is not much you can do. Swing by the shop who sells that brand & see if there is some sort of warranty.

I wouldn't keep those on my car.

I certainly don't want to keep them on but I don't really have the tire funds right now. Hopefully they will remain safe until I do. Granny driving for me...

What is the manufacture date?

47 week of 2012

That isn't that long. We've been using Potenza Grids on the mini for daily driving duties for a few years now. I haven't noticed any cracking like that but then again I haven't really looked that close. The tires do get swapped about once a week during auto-x season so I would imagine that if they were cracked like that I would have noticed. I'd call Bridgestone or send them an email with the pictures.

Yea it's worth a try. I'll update my results, if any.

The strength of the tire is in the cords and not the rubber. Keep in mind the traction of the tires won't be as good as a newer tire but you should be fine.

...until the rubber comes off.

Then you will be adding to the "gators" on the side of i-90......paying $150 for a tow...

If you need to, you can get cooper "fuzion" tires cheap...about $250 installed on a mini in most sizes....not a great tire....but safer....and cheaper than an insurance detectable....
Good job catching the cracks in the rubber...sucks...
Wonder if the rubber was exposed to some chemicals...or maybe stored next to an electric motor (makes ozone, destroys rubber fast).

Was gonna mention road gators but figured everybody's been attacked by at least one in their lifetime.
Went out to pass a semi on an interstate once just as a near side rear member tire started to fly apart. Luckily there was nobody behind so I could slam on the brakes and avoid getting eaten.

FYI we had some bridgestones do that on a company van, took the van to bridgestone/firestone dealer and they replaced, pro rated, with new. We only had about 6K on them and there was like 85% tread left.

I think they had a bad batch of rubber that did not get the sun screen ingredient.

No luck so far none of the " Bridgestone dealers" in my area want anything to do with carrying out a warranty claim, how helpful.