Tyres Melt from Heat: Is It True or Just a Myth?

When the topic of summer comes most people relate it to fun times at the beach with family and friends. But you Bridgestone tyres Coventry experience summer differently. While your car tyres won’t melt from the summer heat, they can become damaged. Read more to learn how to avoid tyre blowouts this summer and what you should do if your tyres get damaged.

At What Temperature Do Tyres Melt?

One of the misconceptions about tyres is that they can melt in hot weather but this isn’t true at all. Tyres are more resistant to hot temperatures. Tyres start melting at 600 degrees Celsius which is a high extreme temperature.

Tyres go through a process of combining rubber molecules with sulfur to make the rubber more durable and stronger against extreme temperatures, this process is called vulcanised. As a result, it’s nearly impossible to melt tyres back into their original compounds.

How Can Summer Heat Affect Your Tyres?

Each 10? increase in temperature results in a 1 PSI (pound per square inch) increase in tyre pressure. Tyre pressure decreases by around 1 PSI for every 10? dip. Furthermore, tyres may lose roughly 1 PSI every month.

Even if your tyres don't melt into sweltering rubber, they must be maintained throughout the heat. Because your tyres may be exposed to higher temperatures, it is critical to maintain optimum cold inflation pressure throughout the year. Increased tyre pressure might make your tyres more prone to punctures and blowouts.

Why Do Tyres Blow Out More in the Summer?

When the weather becomes colder, your low tyre pressure warning light may appear, prompting you to check your tyre pressure. However, in the summer, especially if your tyres are not maintained on a monthly basis, tyre pressure may be low, but not low enough to activate the dash light.

Without this warning, driving on a low-air-pressure tyre might generate more heat as it flexes, creating a risk and potentially resulting in a tyre blowout.

What are the Best Tyres for Hot Climates?

Summer or all-season tyres are ideal for hot locations since they are engineered to withstand high temperatures while maintaining tread durability. For example, Bridgestone DriveGuard Plus tyres with cool fin sidewall technology aid to counteract heat if a tyre punctures on hot roads.

Winter tyres, on the other hand, are meant for extreme cold and will wear out faster than all-season tyres in warmer climates.

Helpful Tips for tyres During Summer

Be Cautious of Tyre Underinflation

Because hot weather raises tyre pressure, it's understandable to wonder, "What should tyre pressure be in hot weather?" Some drivers may believe that driving with underinflated tyres is safe during the hotter months since hot air may boost tyre pressure. That is a terrible assumption to make. Driving on underinflated tyres is never a smart idea, especially in the heat.

Without sufficient air pressure, the tyre's internal components, such as steel, composites, and rubber, flex more. As a result, the tyre may sustain internal damage, generate extra heat, and become weaker and more prone to blowouts.

Always follow your vehicle's manufacturer's suggested tyre air pressure. To check that your tyres meet the manufacturer's guidelines, use a pressure measurement tool before driving and while they are still cool. Release or add air as needed.

If you travel long distances in extremely hot weather, it's always a good idea to check your tyre pressure when you stop. However, you should never remove tyre pressure to relieve pressure buildup caused by heat while driving. If you do, your tyres will most likely be underinflated as they cool, increasing the risk of heat accumulation and blowout.

Watch for Tyre Wear and Damage

If you observe tyre cracks, blisters, bulges, or excessive wear, you should stop, allow your tyres to cool, and then go to your nearest garage for a tyre examination.

Driving with a damaged tyre in the summer heat increases the risk of a tyre blowout, particularly if the tyres are overheated. If the tyre does not appear safe to drive on, replace it with your spare or call a tow truck for assistance.

Prevention Is Key When Dealing With Tyres and Summer Heat

You may assist prevent tyre blowouts in the summer by providing your vehicle with summer or all-season tyres and ensuring that your tyres are properly inflated. Furthermore, monitoring for symptoms of tread wear and tyre degradation on a regular basis will help you identify tyre problems before they become severe.

We propose Bridgestone DriveGuard Plus all-season run-flat tyres to maximise your driving potential if one of your Cheap tyres Coventry becomes punctured. DriveGuard Plus tyres include a nanopro-tech-designed sidewall structure that serves as a support ring.

The run-flat technology also allows you to drive up to 50 miles at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour so that if your tyre loses air pressure due to a puncture you can still get to a tyre service centre safely. 

DriveGuard Plus run-flat tyres are designed to minimize heat buildup. They also feature an enhanced bead core which decreases heat generation if the punctured tyre has lost air pressure, making them less susceptible to heat buildup.