As temperatures rise, so does risk of tire blow-outs
11:35 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2008
When the air is hot, the roads are hotter. It's this kind of intense heat that breaks a tire down.
So, if you ignore tire pressure, which most of us do, your tires might not forgive you.
Under-inflated tires plus hot roads equals good business at Plano Tire in Texas.
"It will blow the side wall out of the tire," said Gene Sparks, who works there.
Here's why: A well inflated tire, like a well-inflated balloon, keeps its shape when it makes contact with the ground. An under-inflated tire gets much rounder, which means more rubber on the road, which causes friction, and more pressure pushing on the walls of the tire, which causes wear.
Sparks says a hot surface makes both problems worse.
"It's overacting the wall of the tire. The temperature deteriorates the wall faster when it's hot," Sparks said.
The tire industry says 80 percent of us cruise around on under inflated tires. It suggests we check pressure once a month.
The Texas Department of Transportation Courtesy Patrol says during our hot July roadside assistance was up 7 percent; some of the increase was due to more blow outs.
"Air pressure is the cheapest thing we have, and it has the most benefit," Sparks said.
Experts also recommend that you rotate your tires every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. Tire alignment should be done every six months.
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