FORANA

Hey folks. I have 2 year old Duelers from firestone and lately hey have developed small cracks on the side of the tire. They are on the out rim and run all the way around the tire. From there the cracks traverse into the tread. Is this normal? They are pretty fine and small cracks. Thanks all!

JGM

Doesn't sound normal to me. Where did you get them? If under warranty, bring those babies back.

FORANA

From Firestone. Only 2 years old. I will take them in today.
Thanks!

eric-the-red

You've had them 2 years, that doesn't mean they're 2 years old. Could have been sitting around a warehouse for a while. Check here to tell how old they really are.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11

FORANA

I see your point. However regardless of the age do you guys think I can exchange them if they have these cracks? Thanks for the link

fireteacher

how many miles are on them, ever put tire protectant on them, do you live near heat? id say dryrot, mine did that in san diego

FORANA

35,000 miles on them, still got plenty meat. I have put foam spray on them maybe 4 times. I do live in hawaii so it could be the heat and sun.

What I really want to know is if I have grounds to ask for new tires under the warranty.

firemedic

If you bought them new from a tire dealer a couple years ago, it definitely sounds like a defective tire to me. Take a look at the warranty (should be able to find it online, if you don't have a copy), you may be elgible for a tire replacement, but it may be "prorated", not free.

Gerdo

It sounds like "Dry Rot". It will happen if a vehicle is "stored" parked on concrete. The concrete will draw the moisture out of the rubber. It usually doesn't happen to a vehicle that is reguraly driven.

terryjmatthew

What is the production date on the tires?

Look for a series of numbers on the sidewall starting w/ DOT and get the last four digits. That will determine the week and year the tires were built.
From your description it sounds purely cosmetic, but run it by your local Firestone and let them take a look at them.

The Bridgestone Duelers have a manufacturer's defect warranty for five years from date of purchase or six years from date of manufacture.

Hope this helps.

Gerdo

If you "store" a vehicle, park it on some peices of wood. This will keep the tires from dry rotting.

dwh91102

I don't know how much of this is really the cause, but I have a friend with a show car that uses the tire shine stuff (not sure what brand). The first winter it sat in the garage all the outside of the tires did this, but the inners (facing towards the axles) were just fine.