Summer has truly arrived, as we've recently felt here in my home province of Quebec. The heatwave has affected the region more than ever, with temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius expected over the next week at the time of writing. If you need to take precautions to protect yourself from the heat, you'll understand that you also need to take precautions to protect your tires. I'm not just talking about using tires adapted to the season. If you're reading this blog, you're probably already an expert on the subject. Indeed, even with summer tires, extreme temperatures can cause many problems...
Heatwaves and physics...
Most of the problems caused by hot days are due to physical phenomena that affect the interactions between molecules. One such phenomenon, which you may have heard of, is expansion. When a substance is heated, it takes up more space. In the case of the gas in your tire tube, this leads to an increase in pressure which, in some cases, can be dangerous.
This is even more true when you drive for long periods and the friction between the road and your tire causes the temperature to rise. Fear not, however, contrary to popular rumour, the rubber in your tires is in no danger of melting or losing its shape. The compounds added to the rubber are specifically designed to keep tires strong in all kinds of temperatures. It does, however, become softer during periods of extreme heat, and may be a little less effective than in normal temperatures.
But can you do?
Of course, you can't control the weather, but there are a few things you can do on a daily basis to reduce the risk of problems. First and foremost, to prevent punctures, you need to check your rims and tread frequently. In an ideal world, you'd check the temperature of your tires every time you hit the road. If this isn't possible, at least be sure to check that your tire pressure is adequate, especially during the hottest days of summer. It's also a good idea to check the condition of your tread regularly, as it's more susceptible to damage when the outside temperature is high.
With all this new knowledge, I sincerely hope you have a comfortable and, above all, safe summer season. Make the most of your air conditioning, and don't forget to drink plenty of water!
