Heat Poses Risk for Tire Safety

Aug. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- With this year’s record-breaking summer temperatures in much of the United States, the danger of heat-related road safety issues is magnified. One of the most common and most dangerous is the heat-related tire blowout. Mixing 100 degree temperatures with rubber tires and freeway speeds can add up to true danger on the roads. Here’s how to avoid tire blowout disaster—and what to do if the worst happens.

Heat affects tires from multiple angles. Driving in the summer results in friction between your tires and the hot asphalt. The faster the speed, the more friction builds up and the more the temperature of the air filling your tire rises. Combine this with the fact that heat and friction cause asphalt to expand and crack, causing hazardous road conditions, and you have a recipe for a tire blowout.

Cracked asphalt can create sharp ridges that can damage your tires. The hot expanded air inside your tires will then attempt to rapidly escape its confines, potentially causing an explosion—a blowout—and a dangerous situation for driver, passengers and other vehicles on the road.

Proper inflation of tires is key. Under-inflated tires cause "excessive wear on the outer edge of the tire and heat build-up.” When inflated too low, the tire has more room to flex over bumps, rocks, rails, and road, with each flex adding an opportunity for your tire to become damaged. Over-inflated tires on the other hand can cause excessive wear on the center of the tire, leaving the tire more vulnerable to damage from sharp corners or objects, or to a break in the tire itself. This can lead to a tire blowout. Filling a tire too full also causes the rubber to be taut and increasing the likelihood of the rubber breaking rather than bending over the road.  

Overloading your vehicle can also prove dangerous during hot weather, as the added weight increases the pressure on your tires. Consider using a trailer, making multiple trips, or just minimize your packing.  

Tire pressure should be checked frequently, especially in the summer months. Tire gauges can be purchased at any auto parts store, and air pumps are available at most local gas stations for a few cents.  

If you are new to checking tire pressure, check out these sites:
http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/check-tire-pressure.php, http://www.wikihow.com/Check-Air-Pressure-in-Tires, http://www.aa1car.com/library/tirepres.htm.

When in doubt, consult a professional, especially before any long summer road trips or increased freeway driving.

So what do you do if you have a blowout? According to the California DMV guide, the steps you should take if you have a tire blow out are as follows:
  1. Hold the steering wheel tightly and steer straight ahead.
  2. Slow down gradually. Take your foot off the gas pedal slowly, but do not hit the brakes.
  3. Let the car slow to a stop, completely off the road.
  4. Apply the brakes when the car is almost stopped.

For more tips and tricks on this and other roadside problems, check out http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl603/teen_htm/special.htm. Visit http://grbodyshop.com for more information on road and driving safety.

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G&R Body & Paint (www.grbodyshop.com) is an independent, family-owned auto body repair business established in 1969 that maintains the highest standards of craftsmanship, with quality monitoring and certification by VeriFacts Automotive.