Can Tires Handle High-Speed Driving at Noon in Summer?
3 Answers
If the vehicle's cooling system is functioning properly and driving is normal without any incorrect operations, the car can handle long-distance high-speed driving without worrying about overheating issues. The following are the prerequisites: The cooling system has no issues: There is sufficient airflow around the radiator to ensure effective heat dissipation, but the cooling system operates in a continuous large circulation state. If the water pump has minor issues or there is excessive scale in the coolant passages, it may impede the flow of coolant. While low-speed driving doesn't pose heat dissipation problems, high-speed driving generates more heat, potentially causing issues and leading to increased coolant temperature. Normal driving without incorrect operations: High-speed driving uses the highest gear, and the engine RPM remains relatively low—around 3000 RPM at 120 km/h, or even lower in some vehicles. At this RPM and speed, heat dissipation is not a problem. However, if the highest gear is not engaged, and the vehicle is driven at 120 km/h in fourth or third gear, the engine RPM will be excessively high, reaching 4000 RPM or even 5000 RPM. Such improper driving methods, if prolonged, will strain the engine. Firstly, the coolant temperature will inevitably rise, reducing engine performance. Secondly, engine wear will also accelerate.
Speaking of driving on the highway at noon in summer and whether the tires can handle it, I have some strong feelings. The other day, I drove 300 kilometers on the highway at midday, and the ground temperature soared to over 50 degrees Celsius. After driving for an hour, I pulled over and touched the tires—they were so hot you could fry an egg on them. Later, I specifically asked a seasoned mechanic, who warned that excessively high tire temperatures can cause the rubber to soften and deform. If the tires are aged or the pressure is too high, a blowout could happen in an instant. So, I’ve developed a habit: before long summer drives, I always check the tire pressure and adjust it to 0.1-0.2 bar below the standard to allow for thermal expansion. I also carry a tire pressure monitor to keep an eye on it at all times, and I stop at rest areas every two hours to let the tires cool down and check for any cuts or bulges. Driving on the highway is one thing, but safety is far more important than saving time.
For those of us who frequently drive long distances, extra caution with tires is essential when hitting the highway at noon during summer. Last week when I set off from Zhengzhou to Wuhan at midday, I specifically checked the tire temperature at a service area—it read a whopping 65°C. Don't push your luck in such conditions; if the tire pressure exceeds limits, the internal cord layers could get damaged. From my experience, it's best to keep speed around 100 km/h and avoid the hottest hours between 11 AM and 2 PM. Carrying a spray bottle filled with cool water to mist the tire tread during stops works wonders for instant cooling. Also, pebbles stuck in tire grooves can easily cut the rubber under high temperatures, so make it a habit to clear them out during breaks. And don’t forget about the spare tire—just because it’s unused doesn’t mean it’s immune. Rubber ages faster in hot weather, so replace the spare every four to five years even if it’s never been used.
