A vehicle is driven in constantly changing weather conditions, which impacts its performance and condition. There are various tyre factors which help determine its performance, and among these factors, the most crucial one is the tyre pressure. But it is highly impacted by the constantly changing weather. A tyre that is properly inflated in one season can get under- or overinflated in another one. Many tyre manufacturers are working towards designing tyres that perform well even with temperature changes. But no matter how well the design is, tyre performance still has some noticeable impact. Therefore, drivers must understand the impact of seasonal changes on tyre pressure and performance. This blog will cover this topic and help educate drivers.
Connection Between Tyre Pressure and Temperature
Tyres have compressed air filled in them, and with the temperature change, the air pressure changes. There is a simple science that will help in easily understanding this. As the temperature drops, the gases contract and vice versa. The same thing happens with tyre pressure. As the surrounding temperature drops, the air inside the tyres Aberdeen expands, and as the temperature increases, the air pressure will contract. No matter if the temperature change is minor, the tyre pressure will be impacted. In most cases, the air pressure change is 1 PSI. This means that a properly inflated tyre during winter can become over-inflated during summer.
Impact of Cold Weather on Tyres
First, let’s understand the impact of cold weather on tyre condition and performance. Cold temperatures make a significant impact on tyres’ overall condition and performance. With temperature drops, tyre pressure will drop, and tyres will lose their ideal shape. Underinflation can reduce the tyres' contact with the surface and increase their rolling resistance. Increased rolling resistance means more load on the engine, and more fuel is consumed by the vehicle. The overall tyre flexibility is also impacted, and tyres will get stiffer. This can also impact tyre grips, especially when driving on wet or icy roads.
Impact of Hot Weather on Tyres
Next summer comes with the temperature increase. Summer has the complete opposite impact on tyres as compared to winter. The air pressure increases, and as mentioned above, if the tyres are properly inflated in winter, they can get overinflated in summer. Overinflation can impact tyre contact with the road. The contact patch will reduce, which means uneven tread wear in the centre of the tyre and reduced traction. The surfaces also heat up during summer, which leads to more heat generation due to constant friction between the road and tyres. As the tyre pressure is already high, the extra heat can increase the stress on the tyre structure.
Tyre Wearing With Temperature Change
One major impact of temperature change is the accelerated tyre wear rate. Having less than the required air pressure means the tyres’ outer edge will carry more weight, causing them to wear faster. Overinflated tyres face faster wear from the centre as the middle tread handles more weight. Both situations lead to a reduced tyre lifespan and might require drivers to get frequent tyre replacements done. Therefore, experts advise vehicle owners to make it their habit to conduct regular tyre pressure inspections. Doing this has become much easier with the help of a tyre pressure monitoring system that most modern vehicles are equipped with.
As temperature changes slowly and gradually, its impact is not easily noticeable for most drivers. It takes several weeks and months for the tyre pressure to change enough to impact performance and efficiency. Hence, keeping tyres properly maintained and conducting regular checks like tyre pressure maintenance is not only beneficial for the tyre, but also helps drivers save money in terms of fuel efficiency and longer tyre lifespan.
Role of TPMS
TPMS, or the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, has become a crucial part of vehicle maintenance in today’s time. It works as an alert for drivers to know if the tyre pressure is below the recommended level. The system works as an additional system part component to help drivers know if the tyre pressure is low. The TPMS must show the right level of tyre pressure, especially during the MOT Aberdeen, to ensure that it does not fail the test. The examiner thoroughly checks all the emergency lights on the dashboard, and the TPMS signal is also a part of that.
Conclusion
Seasonal temperature change is a natural factor which cannot be controlled by the vehicle owners. To have the best performance from the vehicle, all they can do is keep the tyres properly maintained. This will ensure that the tyres don’t get too stiff during winter and are not too flexible during summer. Tyre maintenance is one of the best ways to have optimal vehicle performance and ensure that it lasts longer.
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