anybody treat their winter tires?

[tim eh?]

i heard armorall was bad (...?)

[Tiger]

Armor all is bad for everything... Don't use it. I don't do any tire treatment anymore... rubber cracks real fast with armor all.

[Rick L]

What creates damage is the shine as it magnifies from the sun! Not the ingredient in Armorall. I use it all the time but my tires are worn well before it starts to crack. All tires have shelf life of 8 years! And how many of you have tires older than 5 years? My tires only last me 3 years so never see cracks.

Armor all is bad for everything... Don't use it. I don't do any tire treatment anymore... rubber cracks real fast with armor all.

[tim eh?]

What creates damage is the shine as it magnifies from the sun! Not the ingredient in Armorall. I use it all the time but my tires are worn well before it starts to crack. All tires have shelf life of 8 years! And how many of you have tires older than 5 years? My tires only last me 3 years so never see cracks.

I only do about 3 to 4,000km a year on my snow tires so I hope they will last longer than three years!

You just convinced me to use aerospace 303 .

[repenttokyo]

What creates damage is the shine as it magnifies from the sun! Not the ingredient in Armorall. I use it all the time but my tires are worn well before it starts to crack. All tires have shelf life of 8 years! And how many of you have tires older than 5 years? My tires only last me 3 years so never see cracks.

actually, it's antying with silicone in it that deteriorates the rubber. it's not a magnification of the sun.

the shelf life oftires relates to the fact that if they are sitting on a shelf, they never flex in order to allow the protective waxes inside the tire to reach the surface and replenish the rubber, protecting it from drying out. this is why dry rot happens.

[Rick L]

I have always used Armor All to dress my tires since my first car. Never once did I have any issues with tire or tire crack. If you see cracks, most likely your tire is getting old and need replacement. Manufacture date is always next to DOT followed by the number on the tire. It is recommended that the tire is used within 8 years from this date regardless you are still using it with very few miles per year or brand new that was just installed! I know dressing interior is very bad since the it does magnify the UV rays. Personally, I never do since I don't like the shiny interior look but some do. But each to their own...

actually, it's antying with silicone in it that deteriorates the rubber. it's not a magnification of the sun.

the shelf life oftires relates to the fact that if they are sitting on a shelf, they never flex in order to allow the protective waxes inside the tire to reach the surface and replenish the rubber, protecting it from drying out. this is why dry rot happens.

[repenttokyo]

I have always used Armor All to dress my tires since my first car. Never once did I have any issues with tire or tire crack. If you see cracks, most likely your tire is getting old and need replacement. Manufacture date is always next to DOT followed by the number on the tire. It is recommended that the tire is used within 8 years from this date regardless you are still using it with very few miles per year or brand new that was just installed! I know dressing interior is very bad since the it does magnify the UV rays. Personally, I never do since I don't like the shiny interior look but some do. But each to their own...

silicone affects rubber exactly the same way it affects your interior. As I explained, cracks result from the tire's oils not being able to do their job properly.

I'm an automotive writer, and I can post some articles I have written regarding tire detailing and the effects of various products on rubber, if anyone is interested.

[tim eh?]

I'm an automotive writer, and I can post some articles I have written regarding tire detailing and the effects of various products on rubber, if anyone is interested.

yes please

[repenttokyo]

yes please

Here's an excerpt:

When inspecting your tires, you should look for any areas that look dried out or cracked. This kind of damage can occur when a car has been sitting for a long time, or when the tires are very old. Exposure to high heat or excessive amounts of sunlight and ozone can also speed up this drying process, as can repeated washings with harsh soaps or polishes that contain petrochemicals. Tires are actually black to help protect them against these elements, as the rubber is mixed with special ultraviolet light stabilizers and absorbers called carbon black.


Like many filters, over time carbon black gets used up and changes color. In the case of old tires, this color is a dull gray. Tires are also embedded with waxes that gradually make their way to the surface of the rubber during use to protect against ozone. If a tire sits for a long period, these waxes are not released and the tire is unprotected, leading to a ‘dry rot’ condition and cracking.


Most tires are warranted against this kind of damage, but if your tires are out of the warranty period, there are a couple of things you can try to deal with small cracks. The first is to use a restorative product that does not contain liquid silicon. This shield will also impart a shine that could disguise dried out or cracking tires. While it may look shiny, the silicone oil can actually work to dissolve the waxes inside the rubber, which only accelerates the aging process of the tire. You should also make sure that the product you are using does not contain any petroleum-based cleaning agents, as this will only exacerbate the problem. Water-based tire restoratives also exist, and provide a similar level of protection with less of a gloss. However, if your tires are significantly dried and cracked, it is not worth playing a guessing game regarding the integrity of your tire’s sidewall. You should replace any tires which do not appear to be in drivable condition. Spending a little bit of money now on new tires is preferable to losing your life in a car accident caused by sidewall failure.

[Rick L]

I'm looking at a bottle of Armor All. It states, "Helps prevent cracking, fading, discoloration and premature aging". Is this a lie?

Here's an excerpt:

When inspecting your tires, you should look for any areas that look dried out or cracked. This kind of damage can occur when a car has been sitting for a long time, or when the tires are very old. Exposure to high heat or excessive amounts of sunlight and ozone can also speed up this drying process, as can repeated washings with harsh soaps or polishes that contain petrochemicals. Tires are actually black to help protect them against these elements, as the rubber is mixed with special ultraviolet light stabilizers and absorbers called carbon black.


Like many filters, over time carbon black gets used up and changes color. In the case of old tires, this color is a dull gray. Tires are also embedded with waxes that gradually make their way to the surface of the rubber during use to protect against ozone. If a tire sits for a long period, these waxes are not released and the tire is unprotected, leading to a ‘dry rot’ condition and cracking.


Most tires are warranted against this kind of damage, but if your tires are out of the warranty period, there are a couple of things you can try to deal with small cracks. The first is to use a restorative product that does not contain liquid silicon. This shield will also impart a shine that could disguise dried out or cracking tires. While it may look shiny, the silicone oil can actually work to dissolve the waxes inside the rubber, which only accelerates the aging process of the tire. You should also make sure that the product you are using does not contain any petroleum-based cleaning agents, as this will only exacerbate the problem. Water-based tire restoratives also exist, and provide a similar level of protection with less of a gloss. However, if your tires are significantly dried and cracked, it is not worth playing a guessing game regarding the integrity of your tire’s sidewall. You should replace any tires which do not appear to be in drivable condition. Spending a little bit of money now on new tires is preferable to losing your life in a car accident caused by sidewall failure.