Summer is here and with it the big road trips. But the heat puts a strain on the tires: just a few precautions are enough to set off safely and save money at the pump.
Summer is officially here and, with temperatures rising and holidays around the corner, the kilometers traveled increase. Yet many motorists set off without a check that takes a couple of minutes: that of the tyres. A habit that can cost you dearly, because the tires are the only point of contact between the car and the asphalt, and you depend on them braking, stability and grip. With the heat, then, physics plays its part: the air inside expands and the pressure rises, putting the tires under stress when tackling long journeys on the motorway, perhaps with a full load. That’s why, ahead of summer trips, it’s worth spending a few minutes on maintenance.
safety tips
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There is only one golden rule: Always measure the pressure when coldthat is, with the car stopped for at least two hours or after no more than 3-5 kilometers at reduced speed. The correct values are indicated in the car manual or on the driver’s door pillar, and must be increased when traveling fully loaded, with passengers and luggage. Beware of a common temptation: You should never deflate hot tiresbecause the air inside them is already expanding and the risk is to end up with too low pressure once they cool down. The heat, after all, has an impact: for every 10°C increase in ambient temperature, in fact, tire pressure can increase by approximately 0.1-0.2 bar. Hence some checks that make the difference before leaving. Check the pressure of all four wheelswithout forgetting the spare wheel (or the integrity of the repair kit). Check the tread, whose legal limit is 1.6mm but it is good that it does not fall below 3 mm. Take a look at the age of the tires using the DOT code, considering replacement beyond 5-6 years or in the presence of cracks on the sidewalls. And while traveling, if the TPMS warning light comes on, don’t ignore it: it’s best to slow down, get out at the first opportunity and check. In fact, incorrect pressure lengthens braking distances and, in case of rain, the risk of aquaplaning increases, while an overheated and already deflated or damaged tire can reach the sudden explosionthe nightmare of those traveling on the motorway.
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consumption advice
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If safety is the first reason to keep an eye on your tires, your wallet is the second. Drive with flat tires it is not a good choice, because it increases consumption. The mechanism that explains this is simple: a tire that is under inflated deforms morerolling resistance increases and the car consumes more for the same kilometers travelled. How much does it weigh when full? This is where the data collected by tire manufacturers come into play, such as Bridgestone, whose recently published study explains that, with slightly deflated tyres, 3% more fuel is already consumed, a percentage which according to independent studies can reach up to 10% more at the pump. A fact that should not be underestimated at all, if you consider that on average three out of four cars circulate with tires that are not inflated correctly. Then there is a second, more subtle cost: incorrect pressure wears the tread unevenly – those who inflate too much wear out in the centre, those who inflate too little wear out the edges – forcing you to change your tires earlier than necessary. Moral: a periodic check, at least once a month and always before a long trip, pays for itself.
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