How Changing Outdoor Temperatures Impact Tires
We all experience a wide range of climate changes with weather conditions in the summer months being warm and temperatures in the winter months being much colder. Here in the south our summers are typically very hot and the humidity levels high, whereas in the northwest the summers are warm with very cool and comfortable morning and evening temperatures. In the northern portion of the country the winters are extremely cold with mountains of snow, ice and below zero temperatures, while here in Tennessee and the south altogether the winters are quite mild. Regardless of where you live, however, the outdoor temperatures impact tires, whether winter, spring, summer or fall.
HOW CHANGES OF TEMPERATURES IMPACT TIRES
The outdoor temperatures certainly have a variety of impacts on your vehicle’s tires with air pressure being affected season after season. The higher the outdoor temperature the more increased the pressure will be in your tires. Since tires are constructed with natural and synthetic rubber compositions containing oils that contribute to their elasticity, when the heat of the sun and the overall friction of the road are combined, your tires become worn out and the oils and elasticity are minimized. When this occurs, tires will tend to crack, split or become quite brittle, all of which can be extremely dangerous and lead to unsuspecting accidents.
In the cooler or colder months, the pressure in your tires will become reduced and your tires under inflated, which is every bit as dangerous as cracked or split tires. Cold weather fronts and both snow and ice cause severe drops in outdoor temperatures, which ultimately result in dangerous, hazardous driving conditions making it very unsafe for many drivers. When tires are under inflated your fuel usage is also increased and the wear and tear on your tires overall is enhanced. These conditions can easily lead to a tire blowout which again can result in unfortunate accidents. Most modern-day cars have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) installed that provides drivers with an alert when the pressure in their tires needs to be checked.
When you purchase tires, you will note that they are properly identified with a manufacturer’s date code. Here at Auto Clinic of Franklin we highly recommend that you replace your tires approximately 6 years from this coded date, even if they appear to be in good condition still. We also advise that you check your tire pressure routinely every month and be sure that all four of your tires have the recommended tire pressure provided by the manufacturer for the specific year, make and model of your vehicle.
If you are not mechanically inclined and are concerned about the overall health and safety of your vehicle’s tires, then surely you have come to the right place. Here at Auto Clinic of Franklin our dedicated team of highly experienced automotive techs are on hand to check and inspect your tires for you. We take tremendous pride in our qualified, highly reputable automotive services and our top-rated tire shop and are committed to providing all our valued clients with the highest quality automotive products and services this side of Franklin. We cannot emphasize enough how outdoor temperatures impact tires and how important it is to ensure the overall health and safety of your tires regardless of whether driving in the winter, spring, summer or fall. If you are in need of a tire inspection, need to adjust the air pressure in your tires, or are in the market for a set of new tires, then we are the team for you! Come on down to our trusted automotive shop today. We look forward to serving you and contributing to the overall safety of your vehicle and your passengers!
