How to Care for Tires During the Summer

Most people (myself included) think of winter when they hear about tire damage. After all, the snow and ice requires your tires to work even harder, and those pesky potholes never help the cause. While it’s certainly true that the colder months can have a negative impact on your tires, some drivers underestimate the negative effects that hot weather can also be responsible for. For example, many drivers are probably unaware that a 90-degree day could result in a 150-degree road temperature!

Before you head out on that weekend road trip, take a look at how hot roads can really do some damage to your tires. While your local tire dealers in Cincinnati will certainly help fix any issues you may run into, it’s often a better idea to avoid those issues from the get-go.

The American Automobiles Association (known affectionately as AAA) reported that repairs due to flat or damaged tires are already up 15-percent this summer compared to the spring. Furthermore, the company’s Mid-Atlantic branch estimates that they handled nearly 20,000 tire-related calls last summer, which is far and way the most common car problem they have to deal with. Why do these issue pop up?

“You’re driving on very, very hot roads. It’s definitely going to have a substantial impact,” explains Richard Santiago, a AAA Mechanic (via Tim Jimenez of CBS Philly). “Heat, friction definitely causes a lot more pressure to build up inside of the tire.

“The danger could be it could blow out, which could not only be dangerous for the driver, but for anyone else on the road at that time,” explains Garrett Townsend, AAA’s director of public affairs (via Katie Walls of WSB-TV in Atlanta).

Underinflated tires are a particular danger, as the lack of pressure means the tire can flex more, which vicariously generates significantly more heat. When the tires get too hot, the tread can wear down, causing damage to the rubber. Underinflated tires are also (predictably) more prone to deflate. Meanwhile, overinflated tires are generally more susceptible to blowouts. Tire pressure increases approximately one pound for every 10-degrees, so it’s essential that you check the pressure between seasons. All of these variables could very well result in an accident.

How could you avoid damage to your tires? Well, be vigilant! Make sure your tires are maintained and properly inflated, and you should always use the doorjamb as a reference. Furthermore, you’ll want to rely on your car’s owner manual to determine the correct amount of pressure. The ‘recommended tire pressure’ shouldn’t be confused with the ‘maximum tire pressure,’ especially considering the expected increases in pressure while traveling in the heat! These numbers can also be found in your car’s owner manual.

Additionally, you should watch how much weight your piling into your vehicle. The maximum load is mentioned for a reason, and too-heavy of a load could make your tires pop like a balloon. Your car could give an indication, often via the Tire Pressure Monitoring System, when your vehicle is too heavy to travel safely.

“Although it’s relatively common for that light to come on, it’s still coming on for a reason so we highly suggest that you would rather be safe than sorry and get it checked out,” said Santiago.

The easiest way to recognize if there’s an issue? Bring it to a mechanic, as the professional will instantly recognize any issues. Or, if you’re looking for a more hands-on approach, you could utilize Santiago’s ‘Penny Test,’ which tests tires traction.

“One way that you can check to make sure you get the proper traction on the road and also just know when you’re due for a replacement of tires,” he explained. “You can use a standard penny. You’ll use Lincoln’s head as the indicator. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head that means that you’re due for a replacement of tires, you’re almost getting to that stage where you’re not [going to] get any traction on the road. If you can see a little bit of his head that definitely means that you’re almost there to get a replacement.”

Additionally, when checking for the amount of wear on the tread of your tires, you should check for uneven patches. If your tires seems to be more worn on one side, this is a definite cause for concern. Another indication could be the presence of ‘lumps’ in your tires. These are both signs that your tires may not be balanced correctly. A simple fix to this issue is having a professional mechanic realign the wheels.

“When you’re looking at your tires you want to make sure the tread and all of that rubber is wearing at an even standpoint from the inside part all the way to the outside,” Santiago explained. “If you notice any uneven patterns that means that you probably have an alignment issue or maybe the inflation is wrong.”

General damage, whether it’s cracks, bald spots, bubbles or punctures, also shouldn’t be ignored. The warm roads could just make these issues worse, and these tire issues could eventually impact your entire car. If you’re required to travel some distance, but you’re worried that your tires may be worn down, you should be able to get home with no issues. Just make sure to watch your speed and avoid any holes. If you have aging tires, it may be a good idea to just get them replaced entirely, even if you can’t pinpoint a specific issue.

Finally, one of the best solutions to avoiding a potential summer crash is by being aware of your fellow drivers. Summer is an opportunity for people to get out and travel, and you’ll find significantly more cars on the road than usual. Chances are, some of these drivers are traveling on subpar tires, and they probably failed to read this post prior to driving. This doesn’t mean that you should be paranoid about every person who drives past you, but you should at least recognize when someone else’s tires don’t seem to be functioning properly.

While they’re not necessarily required, buying a set of summer tires could help you eliminate any of these issues. According to TireRack.com, these low-profile tires provide responsive handling and crisp steering response. They’re designed to operate in both wet and dry conditions, but they are not manufactured to perform well during the winter. If you opt for summer tires, make sure you have an alternative ready for when the snow and ice comes.

Most drivers take their tires for granted, and this has clearly impacted a number of accidents. According to Walls, there are nearly 11,000 tire-related accidents every year, with the annual death toll coming in around 200. Yes, many of these crashes came in the winter, but there’s no denying that road conditions, even in the summer, can definitely contribute to collisions. Of course, these accidents aren’t completely unavoidable, but the crashes and casualties can be greatly reduced if people kept better care of their tires.

Many of your local tire dealers in Cincinnati, including McCluskey Chevrolet, will happily do a thorough inspection of your tires. If you happen to need replacements, McCluskey will offer some of the best prices around! So instead of being included in the annual 10,000-plus accident count, be proactive and get your tires checked today!