No one enjoys extreme heat or cold, and neither does your car. Sudden changes in temperature and extended periods of extreme heat or cold can cause problems with your tires. Here are some ways it can affect the tires and some solutions to help you stay safe during all seasons of the year.
Heat
The hotter a tire gets, the more likely it is to fail. The friction and heat wear down the rubber and can cause the tires to overheat more quickly. Tires experience a higher risk of overheating if you’re braking frequently, driving on curvy roads, and driving at higher speeds. The heat also builds pressure within the tire and can cause tire blowouts. This is obviously very dangerous.
Stay Running Smooth in Summer
Invest in a tire monitor system that checks your tires for you. Regularly check the tire pressure, especially when it’s hotter and when driving for longer periods of time. Read your vehicle’s owner’s manual to make sure you have the proper tire inflation according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Examine all four tires to make sure there are no cracks, bulges or irregularities before and after big drives. With better weather, more people will be out on the road and more construction will happen. Nails and screws can puncture a hole in your tire without you knowing about it. Have an expert check your tires before summer begins and get your tires rotated every six months to a year.
Drive the speed limit, avoid sharp corners and be careful on the road. And if it’s really hot, stay home if you can.
Cold
Extreme cold causes tire pressure to drop. Underinflated tires are super dangerous because it’s easier to blow an underinflated tire out, which also increases your gas mileage.
Driving on snow or ice can significantly decrease the tread on your tires, making them go bald faster, rendering them less safe and more likely to slide.
The cold can also affect the rims in the tires, which can cause problems as well. It can cause metal, plastic or glass materials to shrink, crack or break. This can also affect tire pressure.
Stay Running Smooth in Winter
The fixes are similar to how you check tires in the summer. Check regularly. Avoid driving in extreme cold if at all possible.
Examine each and every tire for any changes, including checking the rims, screws and framing around the tires. Check the air pressure regularly to ensure you feel safe driving on the tires.
Keep the car clean and remove any snow or ice that accumulates from driving or being parked in a snowy spot. Have a professional examine the tires at the beginning of the cold season and take them in to be looked at if you notice anything off. Better safe than sorry.
By being aware of changes to tire pressure or any problems that could arise from low air pressure, you will feel safer on the road. You will also save money and frustration by not having to be rescued from being stranded on the side of the road. A small investment in being cautious could prevent a big expense from being careless.
