Tyres in GCC heat: pressure, age and blowouts

Tyres are the only part of the car touching the road, and UAE police warn every summer that heat raises the risk of sudden tyre failure. Knowing how to read a tyre's age and what to do in a blowout could save your life.

Why heat matters

• Abu Dhabi Police warned in July 2026 that high temperatures can increase the likelihood of sudden tyre failures, which can make drivers lose control (Gulf News).
• Khaleej Times (June 2024) reported Abu Dhabi Police's summer reminder that heat raises tyre pressure, and that both under-inflated and over-inflated tyres are prone to damage and bursting.
• The same report lists overloading the car beyond its payload, worn or damaged tyres, low-quality tyres and speed as factors that raise the risk of a burst.
• Ministry of Interior figures reported by Khaleej Times counted 22 tyre-burst accidents across the UAE in 2023, and over 18,000 violations for unfit tyres.
• Dubai Police's June 2026 summer warning also asked drivers to inspect tyres regularly, and flagged vehicles being driven on expired tyres.

Pressure: the right way

• Keep tyres at the manufacturer's recommended pressure, as Abu Dhabi Police advise. Too low causes heat build-up; too high reduces grip.
• Check when the tyres are cold, ideally early in the morning before driving, because hot tyres read higher.
• Do not let air out of hot tyres to 'fix' a high reading after driving. Wait until they are cold and check again.
• Gulf News (June 2025) suggests checking every few days in summer, because heat expands the air inside.

How old is your tyre?

• Look on the sidewall for the letters DOT followed by a code. The last four digits are the date: the first two are the week, the last two are the year (Reifen.com).
• Example: 2322 means the tyre was made in week 23 of 2022.
• Rubber becomes brittle with age, even with little wear, and long periods of sun or disuse can speed this up (Reifen.com).
• Reifen.com says modern tyres typically last five to six years in normal use; a tyre older than that deserves a careful inspection by a tyre professional.
• When buying new tyres, check the date code before they are fitted, because stock can sit in storage for a long time.

If a tyre bursts while you are driving

• A front blowout pulls the car towards the side of the burst tyre; a rear blowout can make the back sway (South Australia Department for Infrastructure and Transport).
• Stay calm and do not brake suddenly. Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and steer straight ahead.
• Ease off the accelerator and let the car slow down. The Highway Code says to grip the wheel firmly and allow the vehicle to roll to a stop at the side of the road.
• Brake gently only once the car is under control, signal and move to a safe place off the road.
• Then follow the breakdown steps in the next lessons: hazard lights on, get away from traffic, call for help.

Changing a flat: know your limits

• The Highway Code says only change a tyre if you can do so without putting yourself or others at risk; otherwise call a breakdown service.
• Never change a wheel on the traffic side of a busy road or highway hard shoulder.
• Know before you need it: whether your car has a spare wheel, a space-saver or just a repair kit, and where the jack and wheel brace are kept.
• If you use a space-saver spare, read its label: they are temporary and usually have a lower speed limit.