Whether you are dealing with snow and ice or just chilly rain, cold weather can do a number on your car tires. Your tires bear the brunt of the road, coming in contact with extreme temperatures, moisture, and debris. But when it comes to wintery weather, there are a few unique challenges. Read on to learn how cold weather affects tires and what you should know about spotting a problem.
How Cold Weather Affects Tires: Overview
While North Carolina doesn’t get the same kind of freezing temperatures you’ll see up north, it still experiences a wintery mix each year. When it comes to your tires, this can mean a few things.
For one thing, cold temperatures can affect the auto materials themselves. This doesn’t just apply to tires but to lots of parts of your vehicle. When temps become frigid, you might notice rubber and metal becoming more brittle or even cracking.
Another problem with tires is air expansion or contraction. Ever wondered why your tires seem to go flat in the winter? It comes down to a simple act of science.
These are just a few examples of how cold weather affects tires. That doesn’t begin to cover the hazards of the road itself in wintertime, which includes snow, ice, rain, mud, and salt.
Dropping Temperatures
Freezing temps aren’t a friend to rubber. Cold causes a lot of materials to contract, which can lead to them becoming more brittle. If you notice your tires cracking, it’s probably because the temperature has dropped so quickly.
Unfortunately, this also means that your tires are more likely to get damaged during the winter. That also goes for the tire treads, which are more prone to breaking in the cold. And that can lead to a loss of traction, which is pretty dangerous on wintery roads.
The good news is that this doesn’t usually happen unless temperatures are below freezing, which isn’t necessarily a regular thing in North Carolina.
Air Fluctuations
Changes in temperature impact the air as hot air expands and cold air contracts. Given that your tires are also filled with air, they can be impacted in a similar manner.
As the air inside the tires contracts, they’ll become less inflated. In fact, the general rule is that you can expect to lose a pound of air pressure for every downward shift of 10 degrees.
This can be a problem when it comes to staying safe on winter roads. Underinflated tires have poorer traction, which becomes dangerous when you’re driving on ice or sleet.
Winter Roads
Temperature fluctuations and brittle materials are definitely problems, but what about the winter roads themselves? They’re full of hazards for your tires. From slippery ice and snow to damaging water and debris, the roads in winter are particularly harsh.
This exposure to so much dirt and moisture can cause damage to your tires and the undercarriage of your car. If it gets cold enough for road salt to be laid, it’s another layer of damage. These materials have a corrosive effect, especially over long periods of time.
One of the best things you can do is keep your car clean through the winter. Yes, it feels odd to run a hose or go through a car wash when it’s freezing out. But you don’t want salt and mud to sit on your car for weeks or months, risking further damage.
When it comes to thinking about how cold weather affects tires, road conditions probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, the fact is that they can be seriously damaging.
Caring For Your Tires This Winter
These aren’t the only dangers to your tires when temperatures drop. The good news is that simple maintenance and attention will help avoid major problems. Call T&T Automotive Service at 910-838-2795 if your tires need attention this winter.
