Summer in Arizona is world renowned for cloudless skies, low humidity, and extreme heat. These conditions make for great driving conditions and an appreciation for the nearest pool, but that fierce Arizona sun can be murder on your tires. Here are some things you may not know about hot summer conditions that may be killing your tires.
1. Under-inflation increases tire temperature - If you run your tires up the road without enough air in them, the amount of tread gripping the road increases. This causes excess friction which causes your tires to overheat. A hot tire can literally melt between the base layer of rubber and the tread, causing the layers of the tire to come apart. This is called tread separation and when it happens your tires can fail without warning, causing you to lose control of your vehicle. Arizona Firestone Complete Tire & Auto Service recommends checking tire pressure every two weeks or every other fuel-up, especially during the summer, and if you see any raised areas, bubbles, or soft spots in your tires see us immediately for an inspection.
2. Dry, hot conditions break down rubber - Rubber, be it natural or synthetic, has natural oils that keep it supple and allow your tires to perform at their best. The heat of the Arizona summer can dry out your tires, removing the natural oils and causing them to crack, even if your car is sitting in your driveway or outdoor parking area. As with tire separation, cracked, or weather checked tires are dangerous business. Before you get caught by surprise, get in the habit of inspecting your tire sidewalls once a month. If you see any cracks or chunks of tire missing bring it to Arizona Firestone Complete Tire & Auto Service and let us check the tire condition for safety and reliability.
3. Heat increases tire pressure - For every ten degrees the temperature goes up, the pressure of your tires increases 1 psi. That means a jump from 70-degree spring mornings to 110-degree summer afternoons is significant. Add the heat from rolling down hot Arizona asphalt, and you could be running way too much air in your tires. Overinflated tires have less grip on the road and will experience uneven wear that can ruin your expensive rubber. Like a balloon with too much air, an overinflated tire is also more prone to fail if you hit a pothole or road debris. In the summer months that two-week recommended tire check interval becomes even more important.
4. Road surfaces change with temperature - You can't see it, but when an asphalt or stone and oil road surface gets hot it expands, increasing friction between your tire and the road. Think of it like coarse-grained sandpaper. Rotating your tires regularly and making sure the air pressure is correct can help offset the effects of tire shredding road conditions.
When maintained properly modern tires are a near miracle of durability and reliability, but damaging summer heat and low humidity can shorten the life of your tires and cause dangerous sudden blow-outs and tread separation.
You should always maintain your tires like your life depends on it, and if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself Arizona Firestone Complete Tire & Auto Service encourages you to drop by one of our three convenient locations in Chandler, Mesa, and Gilbert, AZ for a little help and a lot of fun, safe and reliable summer cruising.
Arizona Firestone proudly serves the local Chandler, AZ area. We have been family owned and operated since 1999, and boast over 40 years of combined experience in tires, automotive repair, and service. We're proud to be a Bridgestone/Firestone Authorized Affiliated Dealer, and have a large selection of top quality tires at prices you'll love. You never have to worry about purchasing an inferior quality tire from us because we don't even stock such a product! We also offer a wide range of automotive service and repairs completed honestly and professionally to keep your car performing at its peak. At Arizona Firestone, we are committed to our customers' satisfaction. Let us earn your business. Schedule your next service appointment online today, give us a call, or stop by our convenient location!
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