Tyres are one of the most crucial parts of any vehicle, they support the entire weight of a vehicle. To be precise it’s the air inside the tyre that supports the vehicle, and that air is directly affected by temperature; when the temperature is warm, the air pressure gets higher, and the pressure is lower when it’s cooler.
Safety on the roads is the first priority for all vehicle drivers. However, if you don’t maintain the air pressure of your truck tyres, a change in tyre pressure due to temperature can lead to wear and tear of your tyres and even cause an accident.
You might have seen trucks parked sideways on a highway, or in an accident because their tyre got torn out all of a sudden. Most of these accidents happen during the hottest months or the coldest months. This is because the temperature impacts their tyres.
Let’s see how temperature impacts the wear and tear of your truck tyres:
Impact of hot weather on tyres
Australia is known for its scorching heat; the temperatures can reach up to 50 degrees Celsius on the hottest days. So, what happens to the tyres during the summer?
As mentioned above, a change in temperature directly impacts the tyre pressure; in summer, an increase in temperature increases your tyres’ pressure.
Tyres are made with natural and synthetic rubber compounds, which contain oils that help with tyre elasticity. The rubber can get damaged due to extreme heat, primarily if it’s not properly inflated.
The comprehensive load of a vehicle on the tyre increases with the friction from the road, and with increased air pressure and extreme heat from the sun, it can lead to wear out of the tyres. This phenomenon reduces the amount of oil and elasticity in the tyres, which can cause the tyres to split, crack, or blow out suddenly.
Impact of cold weather on tyres
Cold weather means lower temperatures, which can significantly reduce the air pressure of your tyres. During cooler weather, tyres usually become under-inflated, which can increase the risks of driving in these temperatures.
When the temperature is low, the air particles inside the tyre contract, which is the reason why air pressure drops. As a result, tyre walls are more flexible and can come in contact with the road, which increases the risk of wear and tear.
Under-inflated tyres also increase fuel consumption and compromise handling, which is dangerous for both driver and the vehicle.
So, how can you take care of your tyres during temperature changes?
Temperature impacts your tyres, but does that mean you shouldn’t drive on the hottest or coldest days?
No, with proper care, you can reduce the impact of the temperature on the tyres. Here is how:
- Maintain tyre pressure according to manufacturer-recommended pressure; tyres should not be overinflated or underinflated. You can use a tyre pressure monitoring system to track the tyre pressure and maintain the appropriate pressure.
- Change tyres according to the season; there are various types of tyres made for diverse terrain and weather. So, if possible, use your tyres according to the weather conditions.
- Purchase high-quality tyres; changing tyres as per the weather might not be feasible for everyone, so it’s better to buy tyres from well-reputed tyre suppliers for high-quality tyres.
Oceanic Direct provides an array of truck tyres from popular brands like Bridgestone, Michelin, Pirelli, Triangle, Wind force, Carlisle, Maxxis and others. Custom wheels and rims can also be made according to your temperature needs.
The best part of dealing with Oceanic Direct is that they offer the fastest delivery Australia wide. Check out their website to know more about what they offer or get in touch with them.