Why is it easier to have a flat tire in summer? Is the tire pressure too high causing it to burst?

Everyone knows that a tire blowout is very dangerous. After a tire blowout, the height of one side of the tire suddenly decreases, which can easily lead to direction loss. Especially on highways, due to the high speed, improper handling of a tire blowout, lack of direction correction or excessive correction, it is easy to rush out of the lane, which is very dangerous. Therefore, a tire blowout should be taken seriously by all drivers. Generally speaking, the probability of a tire blowout in summer is much higher than in other seasons, and most drivers are also aware of it. It is said that in summer, tire pressure should be appropriately reduced to prevent excessive tire pressure from causing a tire blowout. So it's easy to have a tire blowout in summer, is it because the tire pressure is too high and it's too high to burst?

Actually, it's not the case. High tire pressure is just a secondary cause, and the main reason is the high temperature of the tires. A high tire pressure does not directly inflate the tire. The maximum pressure that a tire can withstand is generally above 4.0 bar, and each tire is indicated. The maximum pressure that different tires can withstand may vary slightly. And when we inflate the tires, most of them are filled to around 2.5 bar, not too high, which is also a common knowledge among people. Due to the high temperature in summer, the air expands and contracts. Even when driving at high speeds, the air pressure can only rise by about 0.3 bar, ultimately reaching a pressure of 2.8 bar. Even if the air pressure reaches 3.0, it is far from enough to burst a tire. Therefore, it is not necessary to intentionally lower the tire pressure in summer. Just charge according to the standard tire pressure, and the manufacturer's recommended standard tire pressure is only divided into empty and full load, not winter and summer.

In the hot summer, the temperature of the paved road surface after exposure to sunlight can reach 70 degrees. In addition, the friction between the tires and the ground generates heat, and the repeated bending of the tire sides generates heat. The heat inside the tires can reach over 80 degrees. And the tires are made of rubber material, which dissipates heat slowly, so when driving at high speeds, the tires will continue to withstand high temperatures. The higher the temperature, the more severe the performance degradation of rubber, the poorer the molecular cohesion, the decrease in strength or even softening, and the faster the aging rate. New tires are generally not a problem and will not experience a tire blowout. If the tire is already severely aged or has been damaged, has been squeezed, and continues to drive in high temperatures, the probability of a tire blowout will greatly increase. If encountering small pits or stones, it is more likely to have a tire blowout after impact.

Tires are aged or injured. During winter driving, the tire temperature is low, the rubber cohesion is good, the tensile strength is good, and high-speed driving will not cause tire blowouts. In summer, as the tire temperature increases, the rubber cohesion decreases and the tensile strength decreases, the same tire may experience tire blowouts. High tire temperature is the main reason for tire blowouts in summer. Although the high or low tire pressure is a secondary cause, its impact is also significant. If the tire pressure is too high, the tension between the rubber of the tire remains high, making it more prone to tire blowout after impact. If the tire pressure is too low and the tire sidewalls deform too much, more heat will be generated during driving, which will also increase the probability of a tire blowout.

Therefore, to prevent tire blowouts, two things can be done: one is to replace the aging tires in a timely manner, and the other is to maintain a reasonable air pressure. In addition, when encountering potholes or speed bumps on the road, be sure to slow down and do not pass at high speeds. Severe impacts on the tires can cause hidden injuries, and those with hidden injuries or aging may directly blow out the tires. When running on highways or mountain roads, the tire usage intensity is relatively high, so before getting on the highway, be sure to check the tire for any external injuries or bulges to avoid tire damage on the road.

From：WONDEE Autoparts

2024-6-14