Once hot summer weather rolls in, many drivers hit the highways in vacation mode, camping trips, and weekend getaways. Yet while you’re enjoying the warmth and light, your tires are enduring extreme stress. Extreme heat can cut short the life of your tires prematurely, affect your mileage negatively, and even increase the risk for dangerous blowouts.
At Tacoma’s Courtesy Auto and Tire Service, we want you to stay safe and comfortable and to be well-prepared at all times. Here’s how summer weather contributes to hot tires—and how we can help you avoid ending up in a mess.
Table of Contents
1. Tire Pressure Increases with Hot Summer Weather
The tire pressure will rise roughly 1 PSI with every 10°F in warmer weather. On really warm summer days, especially if your vehicle is left standing in hot asphalt, your hot tire pressures can become too great and unsafe.
What this means:
- Overinflation can reduce traction.
- Hot tires wear unevenly—especially along the center line.
- You’re more prone to a blowout in hot summer weather, particularly at freeway speeds.
Pro Tip: Be sure to check your tire pressure at least once a month! If you’re not positive how much PSI your tires should have, look for the sticker inside your driver’s door–or we can let you know at your next visit!
2. Summer Heat Increases Rubber Wear
The rubber breaks down with age, but too much heat hastens this breakdown. Tires with good tread depth can still be hazardous if the rubber compound has dried out, cracked up, or deteriorated.
Signs of heat damage:
- Sidewall cracking
- Brittleness
- Tread separation
This is where high-quality tire options come in. At Courtesy Auto, we offer the complete line of Goodyear tires built to endure summer heat and come with:
- Goodyear Assurance® Tires– For improved comfort, traction in all seasons – including hot summer weather, and fuel efficiency. A great companion with vehicles such as Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Odyssey, and Toyota Highlander.
- Goodyear Eagle® Tires – High performance tires providing accurate handling and responsiveness for performance-oriented vehicles like the Ford Mustang and Nissan Maxima.
- Wrangler® Tires – Built tough to endure both off-road adventures and blisteringly hot highways. Suitable for Jeep Wranglers and Ford trucks.
3. Higher Risk of Hot Tires Blowing Out Along Sunbaked Roads
Tires are most vulnerable to breakdown in the summer with the buildup of:
- Large diameters
- Under- or over-inflation
- Deteriorating tire structure because of wear or damage
Even if your tire has already been damaged by a puncture or low tread wear, the added stress of a burning asphalt road in hot summer weather can lead to your hot tires blowing out—a potentially disastrous condition if you’re being towed.
Need increased hauling capability?
Consider our Endurance® Trailer Tire options, which include:
* Strengthened steel belting build
* Reduced operating temperatures
* Durawall® Technology for puncture and scuff protection
4. Summer Tread Wear Changes
Warm pavement heats up your tire’s rubber, and this accelerates tread wear—most noticeably with traction-hungry maneuvers such as heavy braking or cornering or when you’re four-wheeling. Throw in hot summer weather roadwork and debris, and pretty soon you’re blowing through tires faster than you want to.
To fight uneven wear:
* Rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles.
* Check for alignment issues or suspension problems.
* Check your tires for cupping, scalloping, or separation of the tread.
Looking for budget-friendly alternatives? Kelly® tires offer the safe and affordable solution for the everyday driver. These tires offer good performance within your budget price point.
5. What if You Do Get a Flat Tire?
Even with advance preparation, flats do happen. And knowing how to replace a tire can be a lifesaver—if you’re far from civilization.
Here is a brief overview of how to replace a flat tire:
1. Pull to safety and switch on your hazards.
2. Engage the parking brake and locate your spare tire, jack and lug wrench.
3. Loosen the lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
4. Place the jack at the specified lifting point and raise the vehicle.
5. Remove the flat and install the spare and hand tighten the lug nuts.
6. Release the vehicle and then tighten the lug nuts securely.
7. Pack your tools and take a walk to the nearest tire center—like ours!
Want a step-by-step? Check out our blog post or stop by the shop—we’d be happy to walk you through it ourselves!
Stay Prepared. Stay Safe. Stay Rolling.
Summertime is rough on your vehicle—and your tires take the lion’s share of it in the hot summer weather. Preparing for a road trip or just cruising Tacoma, proper tire care is key to your safety, fuel efficiency, and good vibes.
At Courtesy Auto and Tire Service of Tacoma, we:
- Check tire pressure and wear
- Offer market-leading Goodyear tire options for all sorts of vehicles
- Help in choosing trailer, all-terrain, sport, or economy tires
- Provide expert tire repair and replacement services
Ready to check your tires before your next summer road trip? Call us at 253-473-5556 or come in for a professional inspection. We’ll have you cruising successfully—no matter how the hot summer weather heats up.