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How Heat Affects Your Tires

posted on 6/29/2021 1:20:41 PM

Let's start with the basics. Your tires are made of rubber and are filled with pressurized air. This should come as no surprise to Boulder Tire in Boulder, CO customers, but what may not have occurred to you is that rubber compounds are vulnerable to heat and friction and that pressure is a function of temperature, both facts that should have you thinking more about your tire condition in the heat of summer.

Get Routine Tire Maintenance

Always run your tires at the recommended pressure from the manufacturer, which reduces friction and heat build-up. Check your tires once a month for soft spots, bubbles or raised areas under the tread and if you observe any of these get your vehicle to Boulder Tire before driving it again. We'll get your tires replaced with new tires. Your life could depend on it.

Temperature Changes Equal Pressure Changes

Pressure is directly affected by temperature. Add heat and pressure goes up, take heat away and the pressure drops. Simple, right? Well, since your tires are pressurized, changes in the temperature of the air, the road surface and the tire itself all mess with pressure. And boy does the temperature change radically in the Boulder area. 
 

Heat Increases Your Tires Pressure

When your tires get super hot they can become overinflated, which can cause handling issues and harsh ride quality. 
 
Your vehicle manufacturer sets a baseline tire pressure, found on a tag inside your driver door jamb, that allows for temperature related pressure increases. Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure and check it every time there is a major change in morning temperatures or at every other fuel-up. Keep a high-quality pressure gauge, available for about $15 at any major truck stop, in your glove box at all times.

 

Heat Degrades Rubber

Tires are made from both natural and synthetic rubber compounds, but in either case, these compounds are full of natural oils that keep the rubber flexible and supple. As tires age, the heat of direct sunlight and friction with the road can bake out these natural oils and cause the rubber to become brittle. Brittle rubber can crack, split or leak. This condition is called heat rot or weather rot and is one of the reasons your tires have a date code on the side. Old, weathered tires with lots of tread may still not be road worthy.
 
  • Even if you have plenty of tread left on your tires, heat-related damage can be dangerous and can cause a sudden catastrophic blow-out.
  • Check your sidewalls for cracks or missing chunks of rubber, especially at the line where the tread meets the inner liner. If you don't feel confident to check for yourself, Boulder Tire will be happy to do it for you.

 

Heat Disassembles Tires

All tires including yours are made from two distinct layers of rubber, the outer band or tread section and the inner liner or carcass. When the tire manufacturer makes your tires they squeeze these two layers together while they are still sticky, fresh rubber. Hot road surfaces, underinflation or a combination of the two can cause these two layers to come away from each other, called tread separation. If your tread separates you can experience sudden disintegration of your tires and loss of vehicle control, both very dangerous conditions.
 
 
How Heat Affects You Tires in CO

Trust Your Tires to Boulder Tire!

Modern tires are amazingly safe, durable and reliable but no tire is immune to heat-related issues or neglect. Check and correct your tire pressure often, inspect your tires once a month and let Boulder Tire lend a hand when a problem arises or you just need a little tire advice. We're the trusted provider of new tires and tire services in Boulder, CO. We are happy to help you make sure that your tires will get you safely to your next destination. Come in and see us soon or schedule your appointment with us today!
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