Cars. Heatwave: Pay attention to your tire pressure.

During heatwaves, the temperature of the rubber rises due to the sun's influence, but also because the asphalt on the road stores heat and can reach several degrees higher than the ambient air. These extreme conditions are exacerbated by the heatwaves that now affect us regularly.

Driving for a few kilometers is not too bad, but several hundred kilometers at a sustained speed can make things worse.

Check regularly

Before setting off, start by walking around the vehicle to check that your tires are in good condition and sufficiently inflated.

If you drive regularly, don't hesitate to repeat the exercise, including the spare wheel if you have one; in hot weather, the tire can lose up to 0.2 bar per month. Around 16% of serious accidents are caused by a tire burst.

Finally, the check must be done cold or after less than three kilometers.

Under-inflation, beware of danger!

With the heat, your tire pressure can drop; driving with underinflated tires can change your car's handling: steering float and ineffective braking. This can lead to tire bursts or a fire.

With heat, the tread heats up faster, which can shorten tire life by 15%. And an underinflated tire increases the car's fuel consumption. This adds 5 to 7% to your expense.

Beware of over-inflation

It's not better if you put too much air in. Over-inflation causes the tire to stiffen, making it less able to absorb road bumps and potentially bursting, especially under heavy braking.

Additionally, the suspension may be affected, as may ride comfort.

If you check your tires when they are hot, the measurement may exceed the manufacturer's values. Do not deflate the tire. The increase in pressure is due to heat.