In the summertime, your family is even more thankful for their car’s AC system, forgoing hot walks for quick, cool drives. However, the tires you drive on don’t get the same relief—in fact, they deal with the highest temperatures as they roll at high speeds on the searing asphalt. Therefore, it’s important to consider how the heat affects your tires, especially if it leads to the need for a tire change. If you’re hoping to stay off the side of the ride this summer, consider how seasonal temperatures influence tire condition.

What Tire Changes Does Heat Cause?

1. Pressure Fluctuation

There is a direct correlation between temperature and pressure—as one goes up, so does the other. Unfortunately, your tires rely on air pressure to stay firm and shock-absorbent. As the temperature of the air and asphalt increases, the pressure in your tires will increase, making them over-inflated. At first, your vehicle will simply be hard to maneuver, but eventually, you could experience a blowout.

2. Rubber Deterioration

To avoid bursting when running over pebbles, bumps, potholes, the natural and synthetic rubber of your tires are kept flexible thanks to added oils. However, when the weather is sweltering, the temperature can dry out the oils, making tires less malleable and more easy to damage. Since heat rot is more likely to affect older tires during the summer, it’s crucial to keep track of your last tire change and schedule another if the rubber becomes brittle.

3. Tread Separation

If you were to cut your tires open, you’d find two layers—an outer band (where the tread is located) and the inner liner. These two rubber sections are connected when they are still soft, hot, and sticky. As they dry, they become fixed to one another. Unfortunately, extremely hot pavement can reverse this process, cause the tread section to separate from the inner liner. If this happens on the road, you may lose control of your car completely.

If you believe the summer heat warrants a tire change for your vehicle, take it to Garrett's Towing & Recovery of the Thomasville, NC, area. Since 1969, this towing service has offered 24-hour help to drivers in need. Whether you run out of gas, experience a blowout, or have a dead battery, you can trust their team to come to the rescue. Just call (336) 476-3153 for emergency service, and visit the website to learn more about their skills.