Whether you’re preparing for a road trip or just want to keep your tires in good shape, it’s important to know how Florida’s summer heat can affect your tires. The experts at Prestige Auto Tech will walk you through how to take care of your tires this summer.
What Does Heat Do To Car Tires?
Heat Increases Your Tire Pressure
It’s a common complaint that the low tire pressure warning light turns on during the winter and in cold snaps, but the opposite problem — too much pressure — is just as much of an issue in the summer. Heat excites the existing air molecules inside your car’s tires, causing them to spread out and move faster, increasing the air pressure by approximately 1 PSI (pound per square inch) per 10℉. And the temperature increase does not just come from air, but also from the hot asphalt below, so your tires may be affected by more extreme temperatures than you feel just going outside.
Heat Increases the Risk of Tire Blowouts
While the hot air won’t cause low tire pressure, it can make underinflated tires especially risky, even increasing the chance of blowouts. When a tire is underinflated, it has increased friction where it presses against the road. Increased friction leads to even more heat inflicted on the tire, which can weaken the walls and structure. This weakness can potentially lead to a tire blowout.
Will My Tires Melt?
We know it gets hot during the summer, but we guarantee that your tires cannot melt in that — or any — heat. Auto tires are not made of plain rubber, but are vulcanized, a chemical process combining the rubber molecules with sulfur to make them stronger. A bonus of that process means that your tires are staying in solid form.
Summer Tire Care
Tire Pressure
As mentioned before, the biggest issue your tires face over the summer is fluctuating air pressure, so it is important to check on your pressure frequently. While it is usually recommended to check air pressure monthly, Prestige Auto Tech recommends checking more frequently over the summer, and especially before taking a road trip. The best time to get an accurate reading is in the morning before you’ve done any driving, so there will be less heat affecting the numbers. To find your ideal tire pressure, you can check your owner’s manual or the label on your driver’s side door.
Driving Tips
How you drive and park can help lessen the strain on your tires. Driving at high speeds and carrying heavy loads can stress your tires, as can frequent aggressive acceleration and braking, so cautious driving is advised. If possible, park inside or in the shade to keep your tires out of direct heat.
Check for Wear and Damage
Like any time of year, regular inspections of your tires are important. Check for any signs of damage like punctures or cracks that need repair, or bulges in the wall that indicate the tire needs to be replaced. Additionally, inspect the tread depth to ensure there is still enough to safely grip the road. Tread indicators or the penny test are good signals for when a new tire is needed. Don’t forget to also inspect the condition of your spare, and replace it when necessary.
Tire Maintenance Services
Staying on top of tire and wheel maintenance services will help improve your tires’ lifespans. These services include rotations and wheel alignments, and help balance the wear and damage across all four tires.
What Type of Tire is Best for Summer?
When choosing tires for the summer, summer tires and all-season tires are the best to choose from. All-season tires are intended to work year round, and perform very well in warm weather. Summer tires are well suited for wet driving conditions, so can be useful for our afternoon thunderstorms. Both will serve our Miami area drivers well.
Tire Care at Prestige Auto Tech
If you have questions, need new tires, or want to set up a maintenance appointment, Prestige Auto Tech can help with all things tires. Give any of our Miami locations a call, schedule an appointment, or stop by today.