Summer Tyre Care: Keeping Your Tyres Safe in Hot Weather
In hot weather, road surfaces can become very warm and tyre temperatures rise as you drive, which raises pressures and puts extra stress on any existing weakness. The best summer tyre care is simple: keep pressures correct, check tread and condition regularly, and deal with damage early.
How heat affects your tyres
As you drive, friction and warm road surfaces heat the air inside your tyres, raising the pressure. A tyre that is already worn, under-inflated or damaged is far more likely to fail when it gets hot, which is why summer sees more blowouts.
This is not a reason to let air out in hot weather. Your car maker's pressures already allow for normal heat build-up, so always set them to the recommended cold figure and let the tyre warm up naturally as you drive.
Summer checks that matter most
A quick walk around your car before a summer trip catches most problems. Look closely at each tyre in good daylight.
- Set pressures to the correct cold figure, using the laden setting if loaded up.
- Check tread with the 20p test across the full width.
- Look for cracks, bulges, and stones or screws stuck in the tread.
- Do not forget the spare, or check your repair kit is intact.
Ageing and cracked tyres
Sunlight, heat and time cause tyre rubber to harden and develop fine surface cracks, sometimes called crazing. This is more common on cars that cover low mileage or sit unused, such as second cars and convertibles.
Even with plenty of tread, a tyre that is old or visibly perished may no longer be safe. The four-digit DOT code on the sidewall tells you the week and year it was made; if your tyres are several years old and cracking, bring them in and we will give you an honest assessment.
Hot tarmac and grip
Very hot road surfaces can become slightly greasy, especially after a long dry spell when oils rise to the surface and the first summer rain falls on top. Grip can be lower than you expect in these conditions, even though it is warm and bright.
Healthy tread and correct pressures matter here too, giving you the best contact with a surface that is not always as grippy as it looks. Leave a sensible gap and brake earlier than usual after the first rain following a dry spell.
Before a long summer journey
Summer holidays often mean a fully loaded car and hours on the motorway, which is exactly when tyres get tested. Check everything the day before, not on the driveway as you leave.
If you need new tyres before a trip, our tyre fitting service can usually fit common sizes same day. Call ahead so we can confirm stock and have you ready to go without delaying your getaway.
Do not forget your air conditioning
Summer is also when air conditioning faults become obvious. If the air is no longer cold, the system has usually lost refrigerant over time and needs a re-gas, which is worth sorting before a long, hot journey.
Working air con is not just about comfort: it keeps the driver alert and demists the screen quickly in a summer downpour. We offer an air con re-gas alongside your tyre and summer checks, so you can get everything done in one visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I lower my tyre pressure in hot weather?
No. Your car maker's recommended pressures already account for normal heat build-up while driving. Lowering pressure in summer leads to under-inflation, which causes more heat, faster wear and a higher risk of failure. Always set pressures to the cold recommended figure.
Why do more tyres blow out in summer?
Hot roads and motorway speeds raise tyre temperatures, and heat finds any existing weakness in a worn, under-inflated or damaged tyre. Most summer blowouts trace back to a problem that was already there, which is why regular checks matter most before hot-weather trips.
Can the sun really damage my tyres?
Over time, yes. UV light, heat and ozone harden the rubber and cause fine cracks, especially on low-mileage cars that sit still. A tyre can have legal tread but still be unsafe if the rubber has perished, so have older tyres inspected.
How hot do car tyres get in summer?
Tyre temperatures climb well above the air temperature once you are driving, particularly at motorway speeds on hot tarmac. This is normal and the tyre is designed for it, provided it is in good condition and correctly inflated. A weak or soft tyre is the one that struggles with the heat.
Is it worth checking tyres before every long trip?
Yes. Tyre problems are one of the most common holiday breakdown causes, and a five-minute check of tread, pressures, condition and the spare the day before you travel is cheap insurance against a roadside failure far from home in the heat.
Book With Norwich Tyres & Auto Service
Need a hand from a real, independent Norwich garage? Call 07933 900901 or pop into Ber Street, NR1 3ES. Same-day tyre fitting is available on most common sizes, with free parking on site.
Hero image: “Sun setting at Birger Jarlsgatan, Östermalm (Stockholm)” by Tommie Hansen (source), licensed under CC BY.