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Why do tyres burst in summer?

5th September 2019

Why do tyres burst in summer?

Experiencing a burst tyre while driving can not only be extremely dangerous, but it can be a very unsettling experience for both drivers and passengers. However, there are certain ways to avoid tyre blowouts and times of the year when it's more common to happen. Learn why tyres are more prone to bursting during the summer months, and how to prevent tyre burst on your vehicle today.

Reasons why tyres burst in warmer months

So, why do tyres burst more in summer months?

  • Under inflation - one of the main causes of tyres bursting is under inflation. If your tyres are not inflated properly to the correct tyre pressure, this can cause tyres to overheat and increase the likelihood of your tyre bursting. As you’re driving, the sidewalls of tyres flex which creates heat. Having the correct tyre pressure ensures that the heat that's created is minimal. However, with low tyre pressure, the sidewalls have to flex more to be able to bend and grab the ground, meaning more heat.
  • High temperatures - combined with the above point, the main reason why tyres burst more in summer is due to heat. And if you already have under-inflated tyres, this mixed with the high temperatures of summer months (including the road temperature) is why tyres are more prone to bursting during summer. The bonds in an under-inflated tyre are more likely to break down in the heat, and that can lead to a burst tyre.
  • High speeds - other factors that could affect tyre blowouts can be high speeds. It's beneficial to know the recommended maximum speed that your vehicle/tyre can go to, as any more than this will put your vehicle/tyres in danger.
  • Impact - of course, sometimes tyres burst from external factors out of our control. Potholes, bumps or dips in the road and other high impact obstacles you could encounter while driving can affect your tyres - especially if going over them at speed.
  • Old tyres - ensuring your tyres are of good quality and aren't worn is important. The friction that's created between the road surface and tyre can weaken the rubber. So, if combined with a hot day, the friction and warm temperatures can easily lead to a burst tyre.
  • Heavy vehicle - if there’s five people and five pieces of luggage all crammed into a small car over a long period of time (such as a summer trip to the coast), this will undoubtedly add unnecessary and a dangerous amount of pressure onto the tyres - and could result in a burst tyre.

How to prevent tyre burst

However, there are ways to help avoid your tyres from bursting - even in the summer months. These can include:

  • Tyre pressure - ensuring your tyre pressure is correct, and your tyres are not under-inflated, is extremely important for avoiding tyre blowouts.
  • Tread depth - tread depth is a legal requirement, and ensuring your tyres match the legal minimum tyre tread depth is extremely important.
  • Keeping the car underloaded - keeping the car weight to a minimum is important when avoiding tyre blowouts. Each vehicle has a maximum weight that it can carry - and it's important to not overload the vehicle.
  • Speed rating - select a tyre with the most applicable speed rating. Learn more about tyre speed rating today from our helpful guide.
  • Reputable tyre brands - choose your tyres from respected, trusted manufacturers that you can rely on to keep you safe on each journey.

Experienced a burst tyre? Or perhaps you want to ensure you have the best quality tyres to take you on your journey from A to B? Explore our wide selection of car tyres to buy online today from leading tyre manufacturers.