Tire explosion due to hot road surface: What does the world recommend?

In many countries, car tires can withstand temperatures from minus degrees to over 100 degrees Celsius, but the safety threshold is no more than 90 degrees Celsius.

According to initial assessment, increased road surface temperature and lack of rest stops forced the vehicle to run continuously, increasing tire pressure which led to the incident.

There are many causes of tire explosion

A tire burst while moving - (Photo: GETTY IMAGES).

A group of lecturers researching automobile engines from the University of Technology Sydney (Australia) said that road surface temperature is closely related to the performance of car tires.

Normally, warmer tires provide better grip on the road surface, but too high a temperature can easily damage the tire and increase wear.

According to the research team, the ideal temperature for tires to operate is from 20-30 ^o C. That is "ideal", but the temperature range that tires can operate in is actually quite wide, from minus degrees to more than 100 degrees Celsius. ^oC .

This makes sense if only for the sole reason that road surface temperature makes it very difficult for a tire to explode. Evidence is that some roads across the desert in Australia have road surface temperatures around 50-70 ^o C but are still safe for tires.

In addition to outside temperature, there are many other causes . For example, a car driving at a higher speed will generate more heat. Heavy loads will also increase tire pressure and temperature. Rough, uneven roads can also create more heat due to increased friction, according to Zac Morris - an expert on automobile engines in the US.

Tire quality also has a significant influence. The US Traffic Safety Administration established a Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQG), dividing tires into several types. Type A tires have the ability to effectively dissipate heat when the vehicle moves at speeds greater than 185km/h, type B from 160-185km/h, type C from 136-160km/h.

However, despite the many factors mentioned above, Zac Morris believes that when the tire temperature exceeds 90 ^o C, drivers must be careful and considerate when driving , because above this level, the risk of damage will increase. increased significantly.

Regularly check tire inflation and pressure before moving - (Photo: GETTY IMAGES).

Inflate the tire sufficiently and at the correct pressure

Osuagwu Solomon, an automotive mechanical engineer in the US, believes that to limit tire temperatures from rising too high, drivers should pay attention to some quite simple notes.

First of all is the flatness of the tire . Low tires are more susceptible to overheating. Because at this time, the tire has a larger contact area with the road surface, creating more friction and heat.

Likewise, overloading the tire will put more pressure on the tire , increasing the risk of overheating and tire blowout.

In addition, tires should be maintained regularly. If the tire is "old", you should avoid driving on rough roads with lots of potholes, especially in the summer and hot weather. If possible, tire temperature can be monitored through some types of infrared thermometers and tire thermometers.

Car writer Krista Doyle (USA) also recommends that drivers regularly check tire pressure. She explained that the air inside the tire expands as the temperature increases, increasing the pressure inside. Currently, most passenger tires operate in the 30-35 PSI range.

On the contrary, low tire pressure causes risks when participating in traffic because it increases the contact area of ​​the tire with the road surface more than necessary, thereby increasing friction. High friction creates high tire temperatures, increasing the risk of blowout or separation from the rim.

She believes that tires should be inflated to the right pressure, creating the necessary friction with the road surface, maintaining stability, providing effective braking support and minimizing fuel consumption. Besides, maintaining appropriate tire pressure also helps reduce uneven tire wear, prolonging tire life.

What do countries recommend?

In Dubai (United Arab Emirates - UAE), where outdoor temperatures in summer are always high, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recommends that when the outdoor temperature is 50 degrees Celsius, the Drivers are required to check their tires to ensure they meet the regulatory agency's standards.

Specifically, vehicles using tires that are more than 5 years old from the date of manufacture will not be allowed to circulate on the road. Tires must be replaced if there are signs of wear or cracks or cuts in the sidewall, the tread strips are damaged and if the remaining tread depth is less than 1.6mm in any part of the tread.

In Dubai, driving a car using unsuitable tires can be fined 500 Dh (about 4 million VND), have 4 points on their license and can have their car impounded for a week. According to statistics, about 5% of traffic accident deaths in the UAE are due to tire-related accidents.

Meanwhile, the Australian Traffic Management Association recommends that drivers have an automatic tire pressure index (PSI) measuring device. Driving on hot days can cause a temporary increase in PSI. When PSI increases too high, the tire can explode.

The commonly recommended calculation formula is that when tire temperature increases by 10 degrees Celsius, the tire pressure will likely increase by 1-2 PSI. Meanwhile, the recommended PSI is between 30-35 PSI. When the PSI gauge exceeds the above level, the driver is advised to stop the vehicle.