Keep your tires safe all summer long by maintaining optimal tire pressure levels. If you have your own vehicle or driver’s license, you should know how to check your tire pressure, where to find the ideal PSI, and how to refill your tires. Plus, it always pays to know as much as you can about your tire pressure light, including what to do when you see a low tire pressure light. Read on to discover how heat affects your tires, and all of your options for maintaining the correct tire pressure when driving in the hot summer weather.

Understanding the tire pressure light

Thinking about an epic road trip this summer? Or looking for ways to get the most out of your tires during your commute in the hot weather? Don’t overlook the importance of tire pressure. Tire performance is affected by higher temperatures and fluctuations in temperatures. Read on to learn how to keep your tires at top performance and drive safely through summer’s searing temperatures.

How tire pressure lights work

Your tire pressure light will light up on your dashboard when there’s a problem with your tire pressure. This light is connected to a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which electronically monitors tire pressure as you drive. TPMS sensors are powered by small batteries within your vehicle, similar to batteries you’d find in a key fob. If the battery dies (they usually last around five years) the TPMS will need to be replaced for accurate tire pressure readings.

Summer tire pressure light

Summer tire pressure differs from tire pressure during winter or mild weather because air is significantly affected by temperature. As the temperature of a tire increases, it’s more likely to fail, but there are strategies to maintain a tire’s temperature and protect it from heat damage.

High summer temperatures cause the air within the tire to expand, increasing summer tire pressure. The expansion of the air molecules within the tire pushes against the inside of the rubber and results in overinflation. On top of that, heat affects the exterior of the tire as well, deteriorating the rubber. This combination causes the tire sidewalls to expand and contract in unnatural ways, adding pressure to the tire and the rims, and increasing the likelihood of a blowout. At the very least, the lifespan of the tire is severely affected.

Monitoring and maintaining summer tire pressure

For the reasons listed above, it makes sense that it would pay  to monitor your tire pressure in the summer. Keep an eye on your dashboard and check your tire pressure manually as well, especially if the surrounding temperature is fluctuating.

If you notice a low tire pressure light, timely action is paramount. Ignoring a low tire pressure light means your tire will continue to lose PSI, it will experience unnecessary wear and tear, and it will become more susceptible to a blowout. If your tires are low, refill themas soon as you’re able to, without driving on them any more than you have to. At the same time, complete a tire check, to see if the issue is simply related to temperature, or if there is damage at play . A quick tire check can detect irregular tread wear, misalignment, and more.

Set aside time for the following to further protect your vehicle and tires during heat waves:

• Check your cooling system. Ensure the coolant level is sufficient to cool down your engine.
• Check your engine’s temperature. In excessive heat, your engine could overheat. If the engine temperature rises significantly, pull over, turn off the engine, and allow it to cool. If the problem persists, contact a mechanic.
• Check your vehicle’s battery. Higher temperatures can impact the lifespan and performance of the car battery.
• Check your fluid levels. Similarly to how water evaporates faster in heat, your vehicle’s engine oil, transmission fluid, and brake fluid can deteriorate faster too.
• Park in the shade or use a car cover. When possible, give your vehicle a break from the harsh sun and heat. Find shade, park in a garage, or use car covers to protect the interior and exterior from excessive sun exposure.

Tips for maintaining optimal tire and vehicle performance

Focusing on tires is essential because they do so much of the heavy lifting when driving and you need to ensure a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable drive. Afterall, every part works in tandem to maintain one, cohesive driving unit. Plan a vehicle treatment day to complete the following maintenance and keep your car healthy.

1. Clean your vehicle regularly

Both the interior and exterior of your vehicle should be kept clean. An exterior wash will ensure rust, dirt, and debris aren’t slowly wearing away at your vehicle. Don’t forget the underside of your vehicle which can be addressed with a simple drive-through car wash. The interior of your vehicle should be cleaned regularly to keep garbage, dust, dirt, mud, and more from eating away at the insides or affecting the air circulation system.

2. Schedule routine maintenance

Your scheduled maintenance appointment can most likely happen in tandem with an oil change. Give the experts a bit of time to ensure the vehicle is performing optimally and there aren’t any more hidden problems that you might not notice. Mechanics have multi-point inspections to complete, which will easily tell them if anything needs to be addressed.

3. Remember major services

Sometimes your vehicle will need more major services and it’s best to get this done as soon as it’s necessary to avoid further complications. For example, if the tires need to be re-balanced, do it as soon as possible so you aren’t continuing to drive on tires receiving irregular wear. Occasionally, vehicles will need new parts as they get older. Car parts have different lifespans so address them as they come up. That way, you’ll also space out the costs and avoid incurring one huge fee, which is more likely if you wait until a few parts need to be replaced.

4. Check your brakes

No one wants their brakes to fail. When your vehicle is in for routine maintenance or a major service, have your brakes checked at the same time, just to be on the safe side. If you notice any shuddering, strange sounds, or different feelings when braking, take your vehicle to a mechanic right away.

5. Monitor tire tread

Tire tread depth can tell you a lot about the vehicle. It’s like the physical manifestation of an interior problem you might otherwise not have noticed. In general, tires wear down over time as they’re driven. That’s normal. However, if the tires aren’t wearing at the same pace, or there are irregularities in the tire, that tells you something more is wrong with the vehicle. For example, irregular wear can be a sign of misalignment, imbalance, or incorrect tire pressure. Remember: A tire pressure light won’t tell you about tread, so be sure to check that on your own.

6. Address leaks, sounds, and smells

Lastly, if you ever notice any leaks, strange sounds, or odd smells coming from your vehicle, those are all cause for concern and may indicate that your car needs some sort of repair. 

When it’s time for new tires, it’s time for Sailun

Whether it’s from natural wear and tear over time, or damage from excessive heat, Sailun is here to help you start fresh with affordable, top-quality tires that last, especially with all of the helpful information we have to share with our customers. Shop our tire lineup today for your next set.