Most of us are quite familiar with factors that can affect the longevity and integrity of our tyres. These include such things as the speed you drive, whether you drive in the city or in the country, and how you handle your vehicle. Lots of sudden stops, sharp curves and turns, and potholes can also have a dramatic impact on the where of your tyres.
However, one factor that many do not consider is the environment. The truth is that weather conditions can have a significant impact on your tyres.
Tyre Pressure
While we will not dive into the physics involved, what you need to realize is that the volume inside your tyre decreases as the temperatures cool. The colder the temperature, the less volume you have in your tyre. That means that more of your tread is impacting the road, which is affecting the longevity and tread of your tyre.
This tells you that as temperatures cool, especially near freezing, you may need to add more air to your tyre. Of course, when the temperatures begin to rise again, you may need to reduce the amount of air in your tyre. As temperatures get warmer, air molecules move faster, and volume increases. So, make sure that you have a pressure gauge handy so that you can check this regularly, especially as the temperature changes.
Chemicals on the Road
If you live in an area where temperatures get extremely cold during the winter, you will likely find that chemicals are used on the road to protect ice and snow from building up. These types of wintry mixtures can be quite dangerous when you’re driving, reducing traction, which leads to accidents.
However, the chemicals that are used can be hazardous to the tyres on your vehicle as well. They may interact with the rubber on the tyres, meaning that the tyre’s integrity could be affected. A regular inspection of your tyres will help to ensure that you are not facing an issue like this, and it makes good sense to give your car a good wash regularly.
Heat on Tyres
We discussed the impact of heat in terms of increasing the amount of pressure inside your tyre. Another effect of that heat has on your tyre is how the tyre impacts the road.
If you have ever walked on a hot road surface without shoes on, you know that it can burn your feet. While not burning the tyre, it does challenge the integrity of the rubber. This is especially true if your tyre has been sitting on a hot surface for a day or more. You may find that indentation marks or flattened spots develop.
To protect your tyre from extreme heat, you need to move it at least a couple of times a day, so the tyre is not affected by the hot road. If possible, get it off the street altogether and keep it in an area that is well-shaded.
If you find that you are having issues where the weather has impacted your tyres, then you may need to get them replaced right away. The last thing you want is for an issue to arise that endangers the safety of you or your family members.
