While tires can slide on wet roads, they are susceptible to completely different kinds of risks on hot days. The oppressive Texas heat can negatively impact their integrity, potentially leading to dangerous situations. The following guide outlines the risks, so you can take precautions.
How Heat Impacts Your Tires
Excess heat can be enormously damaging because it causes pressure inside the tire’s walls to build up. That leads to overheating, which leaves them far more vulnerable to sudden blowouts. Underinflated tires are also dangerous. Less air causes them to overheat faster and reduces your gas mileage.
In addition, watch out because summer is a busy driving season, with more people going for weekend getaways and long vacations. Taking a road trip yourself puts strain on the tires, as can normal driving actions that are exacerbated by the traffic, such as frequently braking or making sharp turns.
How to Protect Them from Heat
Take proactive steps to safeguard your tires and yourself on the road. Check the air pressure regularly and ensure that it meets the manufacturers’ designated specifications as listed in your owner’s manual.
In addition to regular pressure checks, monitor the condition of your tires regularly. Look for visible signs of damage, like bulges and cracks. These could indicate impending failure, which means you’ll need to consider replacing your tires to stay safe on the road.
Tread depth is an important factor in tire function. If your tires do not have enough tread, they cannot properly grip the road. This deficiency can make your vehicle handle poorly, compounded by the Texas summer heat which can significantly increase the chance of a blowout. To assess the tire tread, take a quarter instead of a penny, insert it into the lowest worn groove on the tire. If you can see the top of George Washington’s head, then the tire should be replaced. This ‘new’ distance (from the top of George’s head to the rim of the quarter) is 4/32”. At this tread depth, the tire has lost a significant amount of traction, especially when braking on a wet surface, as proven in several industry tests.
If you’re concerned about the condition of your tires, don’t take chances this summer. Turn to the team at Texas Commercial Tire. With locations in Hutchins and Temple, TX, they’re proud to offer a wide range of services to ensure your safety on the road year-round. In addition to new tires for trucks, cars, and trailers, they also have ones for commercial vehicles and offer 24-hour fleet roadside service. Visit the website for more information on these offerings. Call (927) 225-6640 to speak with a representative in Hutchins or (254) 321-9961 to speak with someone in Temple.