Heat and Tires:  Summer Heat and Fatal Crashes Caused by Tire Blowouts

During the summer months, the risk of a serious auto accident or semi-truck crash increases because of the impact that heat has on tires.

Indiana and Illinois usually have summer temperatures reaching into the upper 80s, and we may have days in July or August reaching into the low 90s; however, there are record days where Indianapolis, South Bend, and Fort Wayne all saw temperatures soar into the 100s and where Chicago, Springfield, and Peoria set records at 104-105 degrees in the summer months. 

We don’t have summer heat like they do in other parts of the country, like Florida.  Here in Indiana and Illinois, we only have around a day or two where the thermometer exceeds 100 degrees.  (Illinois, for instance, averages 2 days a year where the summer heat is in the triple digits.)

However, the summer heat we do experience is enough to create serious issues for tires found on cars, minivans, SUVs, pickups, and sedans, as well as on semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, big rigs, and tractor-trailer trucks. Summer heat increases the likelihood of tire failures and tire blowouts.  

The Road Surfaces Are Very Hot: Increased Risk of Tire Exploding (Blowout)

One main reason for this increased risk of tire failure and vehicle accidents has nothing to do with the vehicle; instead, it’s the roadway itself.  There is a jump in road-surface heat as the air temperature rises during the summer:  a 90-degree day here in Illinois or Indiana may mean you are driving on roads that are sizzling at 150 degrees or more.  Why? Asphalt absorbs heat, rather than reflecting it. 

Driving on these hot roadways – or having to idle on the asphalt during a traffic jam or work zone delay -can have a dangerous effect on tires.  The road will heat the air inside the tire.

This road surface heat can cause the internal air pressure inside the tire to expand.  This may result in a blowout, where the tire literally explodes after reaching a tire pressure one tire manufacturer describes as at “bursting levels.”   

The Tire is Defective: Tire Recalls

Another continuing problem with the tires on any motor vehicle driving the roads in our part of the country is that the tire itself has a defect or design failure.

These tires are defective products which can endanger lives and cause fatal crashes; they must be removed and replaced (unless their particular problem allows for a repair). 

Of course, it’s not news that there is an epidemic of recalls involving motor vehicles and car parts in this country; however, some may be surprised at the number of tire recalls that have been issued.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers a free online service where you can search for your vehicle’s tires to see if they have been the subject of recall.

So does Recalls.gov, where in the month of June 2019 alone the following tire recalls have been issued so far (and we still have a week to go this month):

1. TOYO ( 19T004000 )(SUN, 23 JUN 2019 06:00:00 EST) Dated: APR 22, 2019 Toyo Tire Holdings Of Americas Inc. (Toyo) is recalling certain Proxes A27 tires, size P185/60R16 86H, produced from September 21, 2018 through September 25, 2018 (DOT dates codes 3718 and 3818). Pro…
2. CONTENDER ( 19T003000 )(SUN, 23 JUN 2019 06:00:00 EST) Dated: MAR 26, 2019 Trans Texas Tire (TTT) is recalling certain Contender 5.70-8 tires sold exclusively through Discount Tire stores. The tire sidewalls are incorrectly labeled, in that each side of the tire may state d…
3. SAILUN ( 19T001000 )(SUN, 23 JUN 2019 06:00:00 EST) Dated: JAN 29, 2019 Dynamic Tire Corp (Dynamic) is recalling certain Sailun tires, S698 157/154 L PR20, size 315/80R22.5, produced June 18, 2018-June 25, 2018. The TIN (Tire Identification Number) on the tire sidewall i…
4. YOKOHAMA ( 18T016000 )(SUN, 23 JUN 2019 06:00:00 EST) Dated: NOV 19, 2018 Yokohama Tire Corporation (Yokohama) is recalling certain Yokohama RY023 tires, size 295/75R22.5 (14G), that have DOT date code 2318. The rubber compound may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the t…
5. ACHILLES ( 18T013000 )(SUN, 23 JUN 2019 06:00:00 EST) Dated: OCT 12, 2018 Pt.Multistrada Arah Sarana, TBK (Multistrada) is recalling certain Achilles Desert Hawk A/P LT tires, size LT215/85 R16 115/112R 10PR, with DOT date code 1915 through date code 3618. The lower sidewa…
6. CONTINENTAL ( 18T012000 )(SUN, 23 JUN 2019 06:00:00 EST) Dated: SEP 11, 2018 Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (Continental Tire) is recalling certain Conti Hybrid HS3 tires, size 11R22.5 LI 146/143, Load Range H with DOT codes A33TKWUY 0818 through A33TKWUY 1318. These tire…
7. FIRESTONE ( 18T011000 )(SUN, 23 JUN 2019 06:00:00 EST) Dated: AUG 31, 2018 Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BATO) is recalling certain Firestone FS818 tires with date codes 2318-2418, Bridgestone M854 tires with date codes 2418-2518, Bridgestone M860A tires with da…
8. BRIDGESTONE ( 18T011000 )(SUN, 23 JUN 2019 06:00:00 EST) Dated: AUG 31, 2018 Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BATO) is recalling certain Firestone FS818 tires with date codes 2318-2418, Bridgestone M854 tires with date codes 2418-2518, Bridgestone M860A tires with da…
9. INNOVA ( 18T009000 )(SUN, 23 JUN 2019 06:00:00 EST) Dated: JUN 21, 2018 Achieva Rubber Corp. (Achieva) is recalling certain Innova Ultra Runner tires sizes 5.30-12 in 6 ply and 4.80-12 in 4ply with the date code rage of 0114 through 3917. The tires fail to comply with th…
10. CONTINENTAL ( 18T008000 )(SUN, 23 JUN 2019 06:00:00 EST) Dated: JUN 05, 2018 Continental Tire the Americas, LLC. (Continental) is recalling certain Conti Coach HA3 tires, size 315/80R22.5 157/154 L, with DOT codes A372KWUU 3517 through A372KWUU 1618. These tires may have cord…
11. CONTINENTAL ( 18T006000 )(SUN, 23 JUN 2019 06:00:00 EST) Dated: MAY 16, 2018 Continental Tire the Americas, LLC. (Continental Tire) is recalling certain Conti Hybrid HS3 tires, size 11R22.5 Load Range G, with tire identification numbers (TIN) A33TKWUX and DOT date codes of 091…

There’s also the danger of flawed tires that have never been recalled and remain on the road.  For instance, read our discussion in “OIG Criminal Investigation into Deadly and Defective Goodyear Never-Recalled G159 RV Tires.”

Under-Inflated Tire Pressure

Tires must hold the proper amount of air to work properly.  Too much air and the tire is “over-inflated.”  Too little air, and there is the danger of tire failure due to an “under-inflated” tire.

When a tire does not have enough air, it is hitting the road in the wrong way.  It is flatter than it is supposed to be as it is being driven.  More of the tire is contacting the road surface than should be.

This also causes the tire to bend a bit as it rolls along.  The result? Even more heat is generated inside the tire when driving in the summer.

There is a loss of steering control, too.  It’s harder for the driver to drive the vehicle when there is an under-inflated tire.  This can be tremendously important for truckers operating huge semi-trucks or 18-wheelers.

During the summer months, the risk of an under-inflated tire overheating and causing a serious or fatal accident is high.  The lack of sufficient air pressure combined with high asphalt heat can cause the tire to explode. 

Justice after Fatal Crash Caused by Tire Failure or Tire Blowout

Both the laws of Indiana and Illinois provide avenues for justice to accident victims and their loved ones who are dealing with the aftermath of a severe or fatal crash caused by a tire blowout or tire failure.

These tire fatalities are preventable accidents:  if the tire was not defective, or improperly maintained or repaired, then the tragedy could have been avoided.

For more on tire accidents, read:

• Tires and Fatal Auto Accidents: Duty of Care for Tire Upkeep and Maintenance
• Tires Cause Crashes: Air Pressure and Under-Inflated Tires are Dangerous
• Old Tires Can Cause Serious Accidents and Even Death
• Ford Trucks: Another Major Tire Recall – CTA Recalls 390,000 Defective Tires.

Whenever a fatal tire accident happens in Illinois or Indiana, investigations into the accident must be undertaken to determine why the tire failed or exploded and what parties may be legally liable for what has happened.  Claims may be based upon negligence and/or product liability laws.  During these hot summer days, please be careful out there!