Can Car Tyres Melt From Summer Heat?

Most people relate summer with fun times at the beach and vacations with family. But your car tyres experience is a little different in the summer. While your tyres won’t melt down from the heat of the sun, they can be damaged. 

In this blog post, we are going to discuss how to prevent tyre blowouts in the summer and what to do if your tyres get damaged. If you are interested in knowing more about tyres, then keep reading.

At What Temperature Do Tyres Melt?

It is a common myth that Car Tyres in UK in hot weather can melt down. But that’s not true at all; even the hottest climates can’t melt your tyres. Tyres are vulcanised, which means they have gone through a chemical process mixing rubber molecules with sulphur to make the rubber stronger and more durable against extreme temperatures. As a result, it is next to impossible to melt down tyres back into their original compounds. 

How Can Summer Heat Affect Your Car Tyres?

On average, for every 10°F rise in temperature, your tyres gain 1 PSI (pound per square inch) of pressure. For every 10°F drop, your tyres lose about 1 PSI of pressure. So your car tyres usually lose about 1 PSI every month.

Even though your tyres won’t melt down into sweltering rubber, they still demand maintenance in the summer. Since your tyres may experience hotter temperatures, ensuring the cold inflation pressure is properly set all year round is important. Rising tyre pressure can make your tyres more prone to punctures and blowouts.

Why Do Tyres Blow Out More in The Summer?

When cold temperatures in the weather occur, your low tyre pressure warning light may appear, reminding you to check your tyre pressure. But, in the summer, especially if your tyres are not checked, tyre pressure might be low but not low enough to indicate a dashboard light.

What Are the Best Tyres for High Temperatures?

The best tyres for hot climates are summer tyres and all-season tyres, since they are made to handle high temperatures and maintain tread for a long period of time. 

Such as Bridgestone DriveGuard Plus tyres and their coolfin sidewall technology help to handle the heat if the tyre punctures on sweltering roads.

What Are the Tips for Tyres During Summer?

Be Cautious of Tyre Inflation

Some car drivers may think that underinflated tyres are safe to drive during the summer months since the air can raise the tyre pressure. Driving with underinflated tyres is never a decision, even in summer.

Without maintaining the right air pressure, the internal components of your tyres, like steel, composites, and rubber, will flex more. This can result in the tyre incurring internal damage, experiencing more heat generation, and becoming weaker and more prone to tyre blowout.

We recommend sticking to your vehicle’s manufacturer's recommended tyre air pressure. Check your right tyre pressure in the vehicle manual or on the fuel cap. Use a pressure gauge tool to check your tyre pressure before driving. Always check your tyre pressure when they are cool; otherwise, the pressure gauge shows incorrect readings.

When driving long distances in extremely hot weather, it’s always better to check your tyre pressure when you stop for breaks. But you should never release pressure from your tyre to reduce the rise in pressure due to heat buildup while driving the vehicle. 

If you do that, your tyres will most likely be underinflated once they cool down, increasing the chance of tyre heat buildup and making them more susceptible to blowouts. 

Watch for Tyre Wear and Damage

If you notice your car tyres have cracks, bulges, or excessive wear, you should stop your car to cool down. Reach out to the nearest tyre specialist in your area to get your tyres checked. Driving with a damaged tyre in the summer heat can increase the chance of a tyre blowout, especially if the tyres are overheated. If the tyre does not look safe to drive on, replace it with your spare one.

Prevention is Important When Dealing with Tyres & Summer Heat

You can take some steps to help avoid tyre blowouts in the summer, like fitting your vehicle with summer or all-season tyres. You should also check that your tyre has the correct air pressure. Look for any signs of tread wear and tyre damage to help spot tyre issues before they become a big problem.

We recommend you use Bridgestone DriveGuard Plus all-season run-flat tyres to reduce the risk of tyre damage in the summer. These Best Cheap Continental Tyres utilise a nano pro-tech engineered sidewall structure that acts as a supporting ring.

This support ring helps support your vehicle if the air pressure is low. This run-flat technology helps you drive up to 50 miles per hour. Even if you have low tyre pressure due to a puncture, you can still get to a tyre repair centre without any problem.