Summer and Your Tires - How Heat Affects Them

The heat of the summer can bring a lot of fun things, whether it be barbecues, swimming, and sunshine all day. The heat can also bring bad things, specifically to the tires of your vehicle. The heat can cause premature wear and tear and ultimately lead to a tire blowout. Continue reading to find out exactly how the heat causes this. 

The air pressure in our tires increases as the temperature rises. With such an increase in temperature, tires can pop. Even if they don’t pop, the heat can cause wear and tear and interfere with the vehicle’s braking. Three important things play a role in increased air pressure: hot molecules, friction, and rubber. 

Hot Molecules: As the molecules in the tires heat up, they vibrate immensely. The vibrations can cause the expansion of the molecule. So, this then makes the tires expand in the heat. 

Friction: Friction can cause your tires to be hotter as well. The asphalt cars drive on is much hotter than the outside air temperature. As your car drives, the friction from driving on hot asphalt increases the temperature of the tire. 

Rubber: Tires are made out of rubber. Rubber fibers are in long twisting chains. When rubber vibrates, as it does driving, it contracts. While tires are made to withstand a lot, everything eventually has a breaking point. 

With the combination of these three: hot molecules, friction, and rubber, your car’s tires will be put to the test during the summer’s heat. 

Now, you’re probably asking yourself what you can do to spot over-inflated tires and prevent a heat-related tire blowout. To watch out for your tires, ensure that they are not hot to touch. If they are excessively hot, that is an indicator of their overheating. Also, be sure to check your air pressure and make sure you don’t have excess. A tire pressure gauge will be able to tell you if your tires have overinflated. To prevent heat related damage to your tires, there are many steps you can take. Again, your air pressure is the key here. 

Be sure to keep your tires properly inflated based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. If you live in a warmer area, make sure to check the air pressure every so often to ensure there isn’t any overinflation. Allow proper time for your tires to cool down before driving on them. Keep your car in shaded areas and out of the sun as much as possible to limit the time needed to cool off.

You do not deflate your tires to compensate for this. Underinflated tires pose another threat to the longevity of your tires. After the winter, if you’re thinking your tires are getting worn out, it’s best to replace them before the hot weather. Worn-down tires are much more prone to blowouts and cannot stand the heat all that well. Lastly, the slower you drive, the less friction you cause. We recommend taking the longer, slower routes to reduce friction and keep your tires’ heat low. 

If you have any other questions or concerns regarding your tires, give ABC Smog and Auto Repair a call. Our team is dedicated to keeping your car and its tires in top shape. As the summer months progress, there is always time to ensure you and your vehicle stay the safest possible, and we want to help you do that. Our technicians are highly qualified and want to keep you on the road without any problems or inconveniences. Turn to the experts at ABC Smog and Auto Repair, schedule an appointment today! We are located at 40851 Albrae Street, Fremont, California, 94538.