Why do tyres burst in summer?

28^th April 2023

During hot weather, tyres are more likely to burst which is exactly why the summer is often referred to as 'blowout season'. If you've ever wondered "Why do tyres explode in the summer?" And want to know what to do if it happens to you? Read on to find out more.

Why do tyres burst?

In the summer months, your tyres will be exposed to hotter temperatures. While tyres are usually built to cope with this heat, poorly maintained tyres will feel the effects of the warmer weather. It is important that you keep on top of your tyre maintenance to avoid an inconvenient, and potentially dangerous, blowout.

Tyre pressure

Both under and over inflated tyres can be dangerous during the summer months - which is why monitoring your tyre pressure is so important.

On an under inflated tyre, your sidewalls will flex much more than on a tyre with perfect pressure. This is to compensate for the lack of air. If you pair the flex of the tyre with the softening of the rubber on an overheated tyre, you'll find that eventually the friction from the road will cause the tyre bonds to break down - potentially causing a tyre burst.

Over inflated tyres aren't much better - heat causes a tyre to expand and, when coupled with an over inflated tyre that has already expanded, it doesn't take much friction between the tyre and the road to cause a burst.

Find out more about tyre pressure and how to check it now.

Tyre age

Old tyres can cause a lot of problems even without hot weather becoming a factor. Cracks or bulges in the sidewall are only intensified in the summer months. An ageing tyre may be subject to excessive wear and could even be starting to crack. During warmer temperatures, your tyres are put under more stress and increasing pressure. Worn tyres will struggle to keep up with the increasing heat and, eventually, this is likely to lead to a tyre burst.

Learn more about tyre ageing and when to replace your tyres.

Faulty tyres

Tyres in poor condition are almost primed to burst. Whether they have cuts, cracks or uneven wear, the heat of summer can lead to a tyre blowout at the most inconvenient of times. Regular servicing ensures your tyres are healthy and functional - which is vital to avoid dangerous blowouts on busy roads.

Check our guide on how to make sure your tyres are legal and free from faults.

Overloaded cars

Although keeping your tyres healthy will reduce your chances of experiencing a burst tyre, there are some other precautions you should take. With many people holidaying during the summer months, the increase in tyre blowouts is often due to the overloading of a vehicle with both luggage and passengers. Similarly to under-inflated tyres, an overloaded car will put pressure on the tyres causing excessive flexing. Eventually, the tyres will expand and pop.

If you're taking a staycation this summer, we recommend reducing your carload where possible to keep as safe as possible on the roads.

Your tyre sidewall markings will explain the maximum load your tyres can bear, check out our guide to tyre markings for more information.

High speeds

High speeds can cause a tyre to burst at the best of times but in the hot weather, this becomes more likely. Tyres are built to function at a certain speed and going any faster than the recommended speed limit can cause damage to the tyre. This is furthered on a hot day with the friction between the road and tyre - which can cause a blowout.

What to do if your tyre bursts while driving

A tyre bursting whilst your driving can be frightening - if your tyre bursts unexpectedly, it's important to follow these simple steps:

Keep calm and avoid braking - when you first hear your tyre pop, it's likely your first instinct will be to brake. However, if you brake too heavily, you will lose control. Simply steer towards the safest place to pull over, avoiding braking if possible.
Accelerate - although completely counterintuitive, when your tyre bursts, you need to accelerate in order to steer in a straight line towards a safe spot. Make sure you keep both hands on the wheel as steering might become tricky.
Drive to a safe spot - you will find it very difficult to drive on a burst tyre so make sure you pull over as soon as you find a safe spot. Remember to use your hazard warning lights to alert other users that you have pulled over.
Call for recovery - either change the tyre yourself or call for recovery

Make sure you're prepared for every eventuality and keep a spare tyre in your boot. Buy your tyres online today or get in touch for more information.

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