Does Heat Affect Tire Pressure?

Drivers may travel longer distances in summer to take advantage of the good weather, often for vacation trips. The car continues to be the preferred means of transport for the majority of the population. For this reason, it is important to take into account how high temperatures affect the performance of the different components of a vehicle. The tires are no exception.

High heat causes a considerable increase in the temperature of the asphalt. In summer, it can reach over 158ºF (70ºC), seriously affecting the wear of the tires. This is because the heat causes the air inside the tire to expand. This is thanks to Charles's law. Otherwise known as the law of volumes, it describes how gas tends to expand when heated.

If the gas in question is the air inside a car tire, the expansion causes a greater surface area of the tire and causes the material to thin out. Although this results in less surface coming in contact with the road, the expansion caused by the heat can damage the tire itself. Especially if the tire is already well inflated, there is a risk of overexpansion which can cause a blowout. The center of the tire also has more pressure when coming in contact with the road.

Blowouts are very dangerous, especially when driving at speed. If the tire is already worn down for other reasons, a hot road can greatly increase the risk of this happening. When blowouts occur at high speeds, the driver can easily lose control and risk serious injury and death.

In the manufacture of tires, materials that are fully adapted to high temperatures are used. Prolonged use can also increase the risk of blowouts, one of the reasons wheel care is essential throughout the year. This should happen before and after summer since the heat has a greater influence on tire wear.

Heat can increase tire pressure and affect wear, but this doesn't happen in the same way in every region. How much wear heat causes will depend on where you live and the typical climate. More temperate climates may not see significant changes to tire wear even in summer. However, tropical and other very hot climates provide an increased risk which we need to consider when driving safe.

In addition to tires, learn how to take care of car wheels in general with our related guide.

As you can see, heat clearly influences tire pressure and subsequent wear, but there are also other factors that can accelerate damage. These are the following:

• Incorrect tire pressure: low pressure causes the wheel surface to have greater contact with the ground, generating excessive wear on the edges of the tire. If the pressure is high, the contact surface is reduced, causing faster wear in the centre of the wheel.
• Aggressive driving: hard braking, rapid acceleration and high-speed cornering put more pressure on the tyres, thereby accelerating their wear. An aggressive driving style not only affects tire wear, but also affects other components of the car.
• Improper balancing and alignment: improper wheel balancing can cause vibrations and faster wear. When tires are not properly aligned, they can also wear out faster and more unevenly.
• Road conditions: regularly driving on uneven surfaces that are full of potholes or gravel can cause increased tire wear. Although these types of roads cannot always be avoided, driving at a lower speed in these conditions can reduce the impact and be more gentle on your tires. This improves their overall longevity.
• Overloading your vehicle: each tire has a maximum load capacity specified by the manufacturer. Exceeding this capacity not only puts the structure of the wheel at risk, but also progressively increases its wear. It is therefore important to always check the load specifications of your tires. Avoid overloading your car to keep them in good condition.
• Lack of tire rotation: not regularly rotating your tires is another cause that can accelerate tire wear. Regular rotation helps your tires wear evenly. Each tire position on your car is subject to different loads and stresses, so rotating your tires will help them wear more evenly, helping to extend their lifespan.

To learn more about tire rotation, discover how to change a tire correctly in our related guide.

Summer tires are those designed especially for the summer season and accompanying high temperatures. Before using them, you should keep in mind that you will have to remember to remove them when the winter months arrive since they will not be suitable for road conditions during colder temperatures.

Summer tires have certain grip types that are designed for certain conditions. When temperatures are below 44.6ºF (7ºC), their performance decreases. If temperatures in your region do not usually fall below 44.6ºF, the idea of using summer tires all year round is not contraindicated. In any case, take extra care when driving if you use these tires, especially in winter.

Learn more about this process with our article asking can I use winter tires in the summer?

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