The temperature outside plays a major role in tire performance and safety.
As the weather transitions between summer and winter, the extreme temperature changes impact everything from tire compounds to inflation pressure to tread depth and winter weather driving habits.
Having improper tires or not adjusting to seasonal best practices can lead to blowouts, loss of control, and accidents.
This article will provide an overview of how ambient temperature affects tires and what steps drivers should take as the thermometer fluctuates between hot and cold.
Tire Compounds for Warm Weather
The higher temperatures of summer call for a different tire compound that provides more grip, even as the tread wears down over your hot weather travels.
Tire manufacturers use softer rubber in their summer tire designs which helps the tire conform to the road better.
This maximizes the contact patch, allowing summer tires to grip the road more tenaciously.
The tradeoff is that softer rubber wears more quickly in warm weather. You’ll find summer tires don’t last as many miles as tires designed for cooler conditions.
But the enhanced grip and handling they provide makes this tradeoff worthwhile for drivers who want optimized summer performance.
Other factors like noise levels and ride comfort are also taken into consideration.
Summer tires tend to prioritize grip, while balancing noise and comfort as secondary characteristics.
Ultimately every manufacturer approaches their summer tire designs differently depending on their priorities.
Comparison shopping can help you find the right blend for your priorities.
Tire Compounds for Cold Weather
When the weather turns cold, the rubber compounds used in tires must change as well.
Tires designed for winter driving conditions use a harder rubber compound that provides improved elasticity and performance in cold temperatures.
The hardened rubber retains flexibility and grip even when temperatures drop below 7°C.
This prevents the tread from becoming rigid and losing traction on snow and ice.
The winter compound is also formulated to remain pliable for traction through freezing and thawing cycles.
Key properties of winter tire rubber include:
- Enhanced elasticity and flexibility in frigid conditions
- Improved grip and traction on snow and ice
- Retains pliability through freeze/thaw temperature shifts
- Harder rubber retains shape better in cold weather
- Compound designed to resist damage from winter precipitation
The customized compound gives winter tires the durability and adaptability to handle whatever winter weather brings while providing drivers with excellent control, braking, and acceleration.
The advanced cold weather rubber makes winter tires the safest choice when temperatures drop.
Tire Pressure in Hot Weather
As air heats up, the molecules begin moving faster and spread out, causing the air to expand.
This effect on tires causes the air pressure within them to rise as outside temperatures increase.
On a 90°F day, experts estimate that tires can end up with 1 psi higher pressure for every 10°F increase in temperature.
Overinflated tires pose risks while driving. They have less surface contact with the road, reducing traction, braking performance, and handling.
This makes overinflated tires more prone to slide or skid on roads. Overinflation also leads to uneven tread wear, concentrating the force on the center of the tire and wearing down the middle tread faster.
Since outside air temperatures cause tire pressures to fluctuate throughout the day, it’s crucial to check and adjust pressures regularly during summer months.
The ideal approach is checking tire pressure every morning before driving when the tires are cold.
Adjust to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation level if the tires are overinflated due to warm outside temperatures.
Stay vigilant about monitoring inflation levels, and conduct weekly pressure checks on all four tires to maximize safety and avoid unnecessary tire wear.
Tire Pressure in Cold Weather
Cold temperatures cause the air inside your tires to contract, resulting in lower tire pressure.
Underinflated tires can lead to poor handling, reduced fuel economy, and increased risk of damage or blowouts.
In the winter, it’s critical to check your tire pressure at least once a month.
Use a quality air pressure gauge and fill your tires to the recommended PSI listed on the tire sidewall or vehicle door jamb.
This ensures maximum safety and performance.
Even small drops in pressure from colder air can impact your tires. Don’t get caught off guard by ignoring your tire pressure as the weather cools.
Take a few minutes each month to fill your tires, or enlist your auto technician to help maintain optimal pressure.
Proper inflation saves money on gas mileage and protects your tires from uneven wear.
Tread Depth in Summer
Summer heat takes a toll on your tires’ tread depth. The hot pavement combined with the softening of the rubber compounds causes tread to wear down faster.
This accelerated tread wear means you’ll go through tires quicker in the summer months.
Shallower tread depth in the summer also increases your risk of hydroplaning.
As tread depth decreases, the grooves and sipes in the tread have less capacity to channel away water on wet roads.
With less traction, you’re more likely to hydroplane if you drive through standing water or heavy rain.
Hydroplaning occurs when your tires ride up on a film of water rather than gripping the road.
This loss of contact with the pavement makes it very difficult to control your vehicle.
To reduce hydroplaning risk, check your tread depth regularly during summer.
The minimum legal tread depth is 1/16 inch, but experts recommend at least 4/32 inch for wet weather driving.
If your tires are worn down near the minimum, it’s best to replace them sooner rather than later to maintain safety in summer storms.
Proper inflation also helps reduce hydroplaning potential by keeping the maximum tread surface in contact with the road.
With shallow tread, mind your speed and double your following distance in rainy conditions.
Avoid pooled water on the roadway whenever possible. Stay alert for hydroplaning warning signs like wandering or pulling in one direction.
If you do hydroplane, avoid sudden braking or turning and wait for your tires to regain traction.
Tread Depth in Winter
Cold weather conditions call for deeper tire treads to provide necessary traction.
When roads are covered in snow and ice, shallower summer treads simply can’t cut through to grip the pavement.
The tread blocks on winter tires are designed to eject snow and channel water away, maximizing contact between the rubber and road surface.
Most winter tire manufacturers recommend having at least 4/32 inch of remaining tread depth as temperatures drop.
This provides enough tread depth for the winter compound rubber to stay pliable in freezing conditions and maintain grip.
Anything less than 4/32 inch is unsafe and increases the risk of slippage or hydroplaning on packed snow.
A good rule of thumb is to have 6/32 inch of tread or more to optimize winter traction and braking performance.
Checking your tread depth before winter arrives and replacing tires that are too worn down is crucial for safe winter driving.
Seasonal Tire Swaps
Changing your tires seasonally can help optimize your vehicle’s performance and safety.
Here are some of the key benefits of swapping to winter tires when temperatures drop:
Improved traction in snow and ice – Winter tires are specifically designed with deeper tread patterns and softer rubber compounds that provide much better grip on slick roads. This helps with acceleration, braking, and handling.
Shorter stopping distances – The enhanced traction of winter tires allows you to stop up to 50 feet shorter on snow covered roads compared to all-season tires. This improved braking could help avoid accidents.
Better handling and control – In addition to braking, winter tires give you better steering response and control in cold conditions. You’ll feel more confident driving around curves and turns.
All-weather tires as a compromise – If you don’t want the hassle of seasonal tire changes, all-weather tires can be a good compromise. They use advanced tread designs and rubber compounds to perform decently in moderate winter conditions, while still being usable year-round. Just don’t expect the same snow and ice traction as a dedicated winter tire.
Swapping to winter tires provides substantial safety and performance benefits in cold, snowy weather.
If you live in an area with harsh winters, seasonal tire changes are recommended. Or consider all-weather tires if you want one set of tires year-round.
Driving Habits in Summer
During the hot summer months, driving habits need to be adjusted to account for the warmer weather conditions.
Two key factors to be aware of are shorter braking distances and an increased risk of hydroplaning.
Braking Distances Are Shorter
The high temperatures of summer cause tires to become softer and have increased traction.
This allows for shorter braking distances. However, you should still maintain safe following distances and avoid tailgating. The softer tires also wear more quickly in the heat.
Higher Risk of Hydroplaning
When roads are wet during summer rainstorms, the risk of hydroplaning increases.
Hydroplaning occurs when a tire loses contact with the road surface and rides on a film of water.
To reduce the chance of hydroplaning, slow down and avoid puddles. Also check that your tires have adequate tread depth, which allows water to escape from under the tires.
Worn tires have less traction and are more likely to hydroplane.
Drive cautiously, obey speed limits, and be alert to changing road conditions during the summer months.
Allow extra space for braking and don’t follow other vehicles too closely. With careful driving habits, you can enjoy summer road trips while staying safe.
Driving Habits in Winter
Winter weather conditions like snow, sleet, and ice can make roads extremely slippery and hazardous.
As a driver, you’ll need to adjust your habits and driving techniques to account for decreased traction and visibility.
The most important thing is to slow down. Speed limits and safe driving speeds that you’re used to in dry summer conditions do not apply in winter weather.
It takes longer to brake and come to a complete stop on snowy or icy roads. Allow for 3-4 times the braking distance so you don’t slide through intersections or into other vehicles.
Slowing down gives you more reaction time to handle slippery conditions.
Drive smoothly without any sudden acceleration, braking, or turning. Gentle maneuvers will help avoid skidding or spinning out.
If you do begin to skid, slowly ease off the gas and avoid slamming on the brakes which can make it worse.
Give other vehicles plenty of space in case they lose control. Keep even more distance from snowplows, salt trucks, and other large vehicles.
Bridges and overpasses tend to freeze first before other surfaces. Use extra caution in these areas.
Lastly, the most important habit is simply avoiding driving in winter weather if at all possible.
Only go out if absolutely necessary until crews have had a chance to plow and treat the roads. The safest winter driving happens once conditions improve.
