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Any tyre fitters/experts on the forum? Why do tyres on your car crack, yesterday had a flat, today changed it for the spare and hubby was very surprised to see fairly significant cracks in the tyre albeit the tread is fine? I'll get another tyre next week when I get paid but just wondered if anyone knew why?

Basically the rubber compound has perished.

Thanks Foggy, now as daft as this sounds can it be because the car isn't used a lot? I now work in town so walk to work, the car is used on a Friday for maybe a trip to the supermarket and the odd weekend away but it can basically sit there for 6 days a week doing nothing and very often in the hot sun?

Tyres do age faster when unused -- especially when left to the elements (they don't like sunlight!). This is one reason that, when a car is laid up for a while, it is best put up on blocks and the tyres deflated a little.

I've a feeling this is it then. Only problem is I'm on road parking, might be best to put it in the garage I'm guessing (assuming it wasn't full of is junk...of course I mean necessary stuff. This is the second time it's happened and just kept thinking it was the tyres they were supplying. thanks Foggy

I don't know how much good it would do, but I would suggest rolling up and down the road a few feet every day -- just to get the tyres resting each night on different stress points --- if you see what I mean.

I do see what you mean Foggy and can fully understand now. I'm glowing inside thinking ooh £10 of diesel a fortnight and that's plenty when really it@s costing me more in tyres.

I know ... Come see me once a month then they would be used lol!

Lol @ Liz, if I liked driving I would!

I've spoken with the motor vehicle lecturer today and he was on about keeping tyres supple etc., but basically put it in the garage and if it's not going to be used for a significant while under inflate the tyres. Not sure what I'll do really garage would be the obvious answer - if only it didn't have all his 'rubbish' in and was next to the house rather than five minutes away!

Speaking of tyres, I've got a spare one I need to get rid of........any suggestions[:0]

Andy I've a fair few! I'm the one who sits at work and when I look down always think I've my rubber ring on under my clothes ready for swimming after work!

Since I've been on a three day week my shirts seem to have shrunk (I reported this to the wife and instructed her to review the washing regime[}:)]) and secondly the food in the the house doesn't last as long!!!!

Ah explains it, I must be using the same powder has your wife as it's happening to my clothes too!

Who'd have thought it eh Leslie [:D]

...on a more serious note, if you do need a new tyre, don't just resign yourself to buying from your local fitter, try 'blackcircles.com'. Their prices saved me £50 a corner compared to KwikFit. Got quadruple Tesco Clubcard points as well!!!