All year long, we depend on our cars to get us where we need to be. We often lose focus on what the elements can do to our beloved Subaru, Ford, or Chevrolet. The sun’s UV rays can fade the paint and ruin our tires. Have you ever thought of how that happens? The rays beating down on the car makes sense, but how does the sun affect your tires? As the sun heats up the paint on the metal of your vehicle, it also heats the asphalt that your tires rotate on. That action is only one way that hot weather affects your tire, potentially requiring you to conduct an Internet search for a ‘tire repair shop near me to save your ride.
3 Ways Your Tires Are Affected in the Hot Weather
We depend on our tires so much that we can easily take for granted the abuse they suffer through during the hot summer months, such as:
- Friction: Anytime you drive, your tires rub against the road, causing friction. That friction heats your tires. Add the additional heat from the sun beating down on the asphalt, and you have a recipe for a tire blowout.
- Rubber: The polymers that make up your tire’s rubber molecules vibrate when heated up. Excessive hot air causes them to expand even quicker, resulting in tire explosions.
- Molecules: All objects are made with atoms and molecules which vibrate. Heated molecules will vibrate intensely, causing tires to expand and potentially blow out.
Signs of Potential Tire Blowout
Luckily, you can keep an eye on your tires and look for some signs indicating things are not correct, including:
- Tires Are Hot to the Touch – Place your hand on your tire. Does it seem excessively hot? They are likely overheating.
- Tire Pressure Is Too High – Manufacturers recommend certain PSI for your tires. Over-inflation means you have more air to overheat from friction and molecule expansion.
- Avoid Relying Solely on Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) – Often found in new vehicles, this system helps detect under-inflated tires, but not overinflated ones.
Tips to Protect Your Tires
In addition to the signs mentioned above, here are some tips to avoid a blowout:
- Check Your Air Pressure before you start driving and ensure you have the recommended amount of air in your tires. If you are going through a hot place, it is a good idea to keep a close eye on the pressure about every 120 kilometres.
- Replace Thin or Worn Tires with new all-weather or summer tires from your favourite Calgary tire repair shop near you.
- Keep Up on Maintenance, including keeping your tires properly inflated all year long.
Gain the Upper Hand this Summer with Help from TireForce
Don’t let the summer heat leave you stranded from a blown tire. Seek the services of a reliable Calgary tire repair service shop like TireForce. We will come to your location with new tires and change them on the spot. Enjoy the open road this summer when you choose to work with us today!
Call us at 833-446-8473 or book an appointment online for your next tire service in Calgary.