It is not only humans, car tyres suffer too during the hot harsh summers of UAE. Since the Emirates boasts sweltering summers, it is crucial that when you purchase your tires online or from a physical store, you take proper care of them to beat the heat and ensure that they don’t blow out.

Basically, it’s science. The cold makes some objects contract, while the heat makes things expand. The air present in the tyres supports the vehicle’s weight and the temperature should be 32 PSI (pounds per square inch). If there is a 10°C change in the temperature, it increases the tyre pressure by 0.1 bar even when idle. With passenger car tyres having only 30-35 PSI in the tyres, a few additional bars can exert a lot of pressure and lead to a tyre blowout.

What Happens to Tyres During Heat?

The following three factors are at work:

Friction

The tyres rub against the asphalt when you drive which creates a significant amount of friction. Friction leads to heat that makes your tyres hot.

Rubber

The rubber used in tyres is designed for high resistance to abrasion, cracking, and low heat build-up. But since everything has a breaking point, so do tyres. Tyres can only hold a certain amount of air and can burst if gets more than that.

Hot Molecules

Like everything else, tyres are made of atoms and molecules. The molecules begin to vibrate vigorously when they get heated. As a result, expansion takes place.

Signs to Prevent a Tyre Blowout

Lookout for these signs to ensure your tyre does not burst:

• Your tyres are too hot to touch.
• Your tyres are overinflated.
• Do not solely trust TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Alerts) as they are designed to alert if one or more tyres are underinflated. They fail to alert in case of over-inflation.

How to Prevent a Tyre Blowout in Heat

if you are in the UAE, you know well how brutal the heat can be. However, here are a few things you can do to prevent a tyre blowout during summer driving:

Tyre Pressure at Recommended Level

It is crucial that you follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure.

Monitor Tyre Air Pressure

Always check the air pressure using a gauge before going out. For longer routes, check the tyre pressure every two hours.

Replace Worn Tyres at Your Earliest

When the tyres are worn thin, they are more likely to leak air. It is advised to invest in summer or all-season tyres to handle the summer heat.

Pull over if Tyres Overheat

In the case of overheated tyres, the best thing you can do is wait till your tyres cool off. Some people wrongly believe that letting out a little air would solve the issue. But you will be driving on underinflated tyres, which can be dangerous.

Treat Tyres with Wax

To prevent tyres from drying out, use wax-based products to treat them.

Adhere to the Speed Limit 

Increased speed leads to increased friction. As a result, more heat is generated increasing the risk of blowout.

Check out Dunlop Tyres Dubai for the best all-season and summer tyres to counter the desert heat.