Most car owners try to take care of their car conscientiously: they change the engine oil on time, monitor the condition of the brake system, and check the coolant level. At the same time, tires — one of the most underestimated parts of the car — are often left without due attention.
Meanwhile, it is the tires that hold the entire mass of the car on the road, work in water and on dry asphalt, take the brunt of potholes and bumps, and experience serious thermal loads every day. Tire overheating is not only a problem for motorsport or long-distance races, but a reality for any driver of a modern car.
It is important to understand that the risk of overheating exists not only in summer. Even in winter, with incorrect pressure, overload or aggressive driving, tires can heat up to dangerous levels. Therefore, the phrase of the tire fitter "your tires have floated" is much more common than it seems.
What does tire overheating really mean
Overheating is a condition in which the tire temperature exceeds the operating range specified by the manufacturer. For most passenger car tires, the critical zone is considered to be approximately from +70 to +90 °C. The main source of heat is the internal friction of the rubber layers, as well as contact with the road surface.
You can recognize overheating by several characteristic signs:
- the sidewalls become scaldingly hot to the touch (you should check very carefully);
- blisters, bubbles, delamination of the tread or side part appear;
- the rubber loses its elasticity, becomes excessively soft and "viscous";
- in severe cases, there is a sharp smell of heated rubber.
At the same time, summer and winter tires react to temperature differently. Winter tires begin to "float" already at +40 °C, while summer tires can withstand more heat. However, in both cases, the consequences of overheating can be critical.
Why tires overheat most often
There are several typical situations in which the risk of overheating is particularly high:
- long trips on the highway in hot weather, when the asphalt warms up to +50 °C and above;
- incorrect pressure: when underinflated, the tire "flattens", the contact patch and friction increase, and when overinflated, heat dissipation deteriorates;
- severe wear or damage, especially weakened sidewalls and an almost worn tread;
- aggressive driving with sharp accelerations, braking and fast turns;
- overloading the car, which increases the load on each tire;
- using tires out of season — winter tires in summer or vice versa;
- old or fake tires, the rubber compound of which does not tolerate heating well.
When overheating is really dangerous: myths and reality
Myth one: "A tire rupture is only possible on a race track." In practice, even on a regular city interchange in summer, with low pressure and high speed, you can get a sidewall destruction almost instantly.
Myth two: "New tires don't overheat." The reality is that new, but severely underinflated tires overheat no worse than worn ones — precisely because of the increased contact area with the road.
The most dangerous scenarios:
— extreme heat on the track: high speed plus low pressure can lead to rupture; — city traffic jams with overload: even at low speed, the rubber overheats, especially on loaded taxis and commercial vehicles.
Real cases on the road
A telling example from practice: the owner of an SUV went to the sea in the summer. For the sake of comfort, he slightly reduced the pressure in the wheels, seated more passengers and completely loaded the trunk. On leaving the city, a small crack was already noticeable on the sidewall.
A hundred kilometers later, there was a pop, the car swerved sharply, and only luck avoided an accident. The examination showed that the cause was overheating caused by a combination of heat, overload and low pressure.
In cities, such situations are common with minibuses and vans: the tire "floats", hernias appear, and then a sharp destruction occurs — fragments of the tread literally break away from the wheel.
What is the danger of tire overheating
The consequences of overheating can be as follows:
- destruction of the internal structure: cord rupture, tread separation, cracks and hernias;
- sharp loss of control, especially at speed;
- instant tire rupture, which can lead to a serious accident;
- accelerated wear: deformed rubber holds the road worse, especially on wet surfaces.
How to reduce the risk of overheating
To minimize the danger, it is worth adhering to simple rules:
- check the pressure at least once every 1–2 weeks and be sure to do so before long trips;
- monitor wear: less than 2 mm of tread in summer and 4 mm in winter is already dangerous;
- do not exceed the permissible load per axle indicated in the documentation and on the door pillar;
- use tires strictly according to the season;
- after severe overheating, it is better to replace the tire, even if there is no external damage;
- choose trusted manufacturers and do not operate tires older than 7–8 years.
The short memo is simple: do not overload the car, monitor the pressure, use suitable tires and, at the first signs of overheating, stop, allowing the wheels to cool down. Blisters, hernias and the smell of burning rubber cannot be ignored.
Tire overheating is not only a matter of economy or comfort, but above all a matter of safety — yours and those around you. It is better to stop in time than to wait for a "pop". In the conditions of Russian heat and roads, it is wiser to play it safe than to urgently look for new wheels at an inflated price.