The days seem to go by faster and faster, with the change of season happening before you can blink. One of the things we need to be aware of with the changing seasons is the condition of our tyres. The main reason for this is safety - in 2021 in the UK alone, a total of 491 people were either killed or injured in road accidents where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were found to be the contributing factor. For Tyre Safety Month, we wanted to ensure that you know how weather conditions can affect the way your tyres handle and how you can protect yourself and others from an accident caused by unroadworthy tyres.
Tyres in hot weather
In hotter weather during the summer months, tyres tend to expand because the air pressure inside them increases. Expansion is something to be weary of, as overinflated tyres can cause a blowout - especially if you’re travelling at high speeds. If your tyre pressures are too low in hot weather, it can cause tread separation or bulging, leading to a potential blowout and putting you and others at risk. It’s always wise to keep an eye on your tyre pressures and if you notice any radical changes, take your car to the nearest petrol station to alter the pressures. You can also do this at home if you have your own pressure gauge and inflator. As a general rule, a 10℃ change in temperature can lead to a 14.5 PSI (0.1 bar) increase in your pressures - regardless of whether or not the car has been driven.
In hot conditions, your tyres can become prone to overheating. If this is the case then there are some signs you should be looking out for:
- A rubbery smell
- Wear and tear on the inside wall
- Bulging or blistering on the sidewalls
- Vibration of the steering wheel
- Strange noises from the wheels
- Discolouration of the sidewalls
- Unusual wear patterns
Tyres in cold weather
On the opposite end of the spectrum, cold weather can cause a decrease in your tyre pressures. The colder temperatures can cause the rubber to become brittle or contract, which alters the way they handle on the road. This usually occurs when the temperature drops below 7℃. At this point, you may need to consider changing to winter tyres. Colder weather also brings more severe road conditions, such as ice and snow. During these extreme conditions, it’s vital that your tyres are able to grip the road to provide stability when travelling. Again, as a rule of thumb, a drop of 10℃ can cause a decrease between 1 and 2 PSI (0.07 and 0.14 bars).
Tyres in wet conditions
When the road is wet, driving conditions become treacherous and if your tyres aren’t in good condition, their grip won’t be as safe. This is because your tyres have less grip on the road surface and puddles pose a risk of aquaplaning. If your tyres have significant tread depth, this will help the grip your car has on the road. If you are going on a long journey and are expecting a lot of rain, it’s generally recommended that you increase your tyre pressures by 5.8 PSI - this is to help your tyre connect with the road easily in the conditions and reduce your risk of aquaplaning. It’s important that if you do increase the pressure, you don’t overinflate. Overinflating can cause many problems, such as:
- Uneven wear and tear
- Negative changes in handling and braking
- Potential for a tyre blowout
- More force on the middle tread section means a stiffer ride
- Less traction on the road
- Uncomfortable, harsh drive
Stopping Distance
When you are driving along, certain conditions can impact your stopping distance and this increases with the speed you’re doing. Below is the stopping distance relating to speed and the road conditions:
Speed | Thinking Distance | Braking Distance | Dry Distance | Wet Distance |
20mph | 6 metres | 6 metres | 12 metres | 24 metres |
30mph | 9 metres | 14 metres | 23 metres | 46 metres |
40mph | 12 metres | 24 metres | 36 metres | 73 metres |
50mph | 15 metres | 38 metres | 53 metres | 106 metres |
60mph | 18 metres | 55 metres | 73 metres | 146 metres |
70mph | 21 metres | 75 metres | 96 metres | 192 metres |
In icy conditions, your overall stopping distance increases to 960 metres. Taking this into consideration, it is always advised that you drive depending on the conditions - if it’s raining, icy or snowy, you know that there may be less grip on the tyres, therefore driving slower will aid you in getting to your destination safely.
Checking your tyre pressures
Many modern cars are manufactured with convenience in mind and some may come with a built-in Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). This wireless device is placed inside all of your tyres and the readings can be displayed on your dashboard - whether your pressures are high, low or just right - and will alert you if they need adjusting. If you don’t have this in your car, then it’s advised to get your pressures checked manually at your local petrol station or with a professional. Although a TPMS system is not a legal requirement in the UK, it must be working correctly at all times to give you an accurate reading. Whilst this is an important safety tool, they are not to be relied on - manual tyre checks must be conducted regularly.
Keeping your tyres in good condition
Looking after your tyres not only means that you are keeping yourself and others safe on the road, but it could prevent costly repairs further down the line. Some things you should be doing to keep your tyres in good condition include:
- Checking the tyre pressure at least once a month, particularly before a long commute or road trip - you can do this at home, at the petrol station or through a professional
- Checking the rubber of the tyre for any damage, issues or imperfections to prevent a blowout at high speeds
- Rotate your tyres every 6,000 to 8,000 miles to ensure that the tyres in better condition are placed on the back for better grip and handling
- Avoid driving aggressively or taking turns sharply
Free tyre checks with Swansway Motor Group
Ensuring your tyres are suitable for any road or weather conditions is paramount to the safety of you and others, so take advantage of our free tyre check- one of our technicians can help to advise you on any issues that you may be experiencing and how to fix them. We will check your:
- Tread depths
- Air pressure
- Overall tyre conditions which includes the spare wheel
Ensuring your safety is our top priority and our team is on hand to support you with anything tyre-related. If you’re thinking about changing your tyres, take a look at our handy guide on what the different types of tyre are. If you’re unsure what you're looking for or would like to know more about any of the information you see on our website, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our team and we’d be happy to help you.