On a punishingly hot summer day on the tracks, surface temperatures can easily get to 150-degrees. As the rubber meets the road, so does it meet the extraordinary heat. Hot weather causes a drastic heat build-up and weakens car tires, leading to wear and tear and suspension imbalances that could jeopardize your safety and the safety of other motorists on the road. To avoid this, you need to be aware of tire maintenance tips in summer.
Tires wear quicker in the summer due to heat that causes:
a) Pressure changes
When the temperature changes, your tire pressure changes too. For each 10-degree increment in air temperature, your tire pressure increases by 1 PSI (pound per square inch). In the hot summer weather, the PSI of your tires can go up by as much as 5 PSI within initial 20 minutes of driving. This causes sudden inflation that increases contact and friction between the tire and the road surface.
b) Dry-rot because of dry tire
The most common heat-related issues related to your tires is dry-rot. Dry-rot, otherwise called sidewall cracking, happens when the oils of your tire’s rubber start to evaporate. This results in a dry tire that is susceptible to cracking that can lead to sudden and dangerous tire bursts.
As we have observed, high temperatures are a significant issue for tires, in the event that they are not well maintained.
Check out the following Tire maintenance tips during hot summer months;
- Check your tires regularly
During your regular tire checks, look out for any indications of wear and tear or damage. Glaring signs of these may include cracks, cuts and exposed wires on the tires.
The tread depth indicates how long the tire has been in use and how long it will last. To measure the tread depth, a gauge designed for that purpose is used. A brand new tire usually has a depth of 8mm while the minimum requirement for a tread depth in cars is usually 1.6 mm. Motorists are advised to change a tire when its tread depth rises lower than 3mm so as to preserve friction between the tire and the road.
- Monitor the tire pressure frequently
The right air pressure will help keep the temperature of your tires down so that they can function well on the road. Always inflate your tires to the correct pressure, not too low and not too high. The biggest culprit of pressure inconsistencies is under-inflation. Many under-inflated tires are those that have been neglected and don’t go through frequent pressure checks. Make sure that you check your tire pressure from time to time.
An under-inflated tire results in more heat because of the excess flexing in the sidewalls. This increases fuel consumption and affects the braking distance hence undermines your safety.
Always ensure that you check for pressure in the tires especially if you have left the car sitting cold for more than 2 hours.
- Check tire balance
Confirm from time to time that your tires have the right balance. You can notice an imbalance when
you feel the vibration through the steering wheel and even though the slight shaking of the vehicle body. The right tire balance prevents premature wear and tear of your tires. It also protects the steering system, the suspension, and the bearings of your vehicle and guarantees a comfortable and safe ride.
- Check the alignment of the wheel
The main cause of misalignment is hitting objects and potholes on the roads that could disrupt your suspension and cause the wheel to sit at irregular angles. Therefore you should avoid them as much as possible while driving.
Uneven tire alignment will result in premature wear of the tires, which eventually leads to sudden tire bursts.
One great sign of wheel misalignment is uneven wear on your tires. Other indicators of misalignment that you should look out for are;
- Drifting of the car even as you try to drive straight
- The vibration that emanates from your steering wheel
- The uncentered steering wheel even as you drive straight.
Tire misalignment is a delicate issue and should be corrected by an expert. Therefore pay a visit to your garage when you detect misalignment.
Stop by Mike’s Tire
For quality services and direction in tire maintenance tips in Texas, you should stop by Mike’s Tire in Lewisville. The staff is experienced and friendly. They have all the tools and spares to check the state of your tires, correct any faults, and make necessary replacements.
