Is It Normal for Summer Tires to Exceed 60 Degrees?
2 Answers
It is normal for summer tires to operate between 90-110 degrees Celsius, and a tire temperature of 60 degrees will not affect driving. Preventing excessive tire temperature: To control tire temperature from getting too high, the first step is to manage driving speed. When a vehicle moves at high speeds, most of the kinetic energy is absorbed and converted into heat, causing the tire temperature to rise. This accelerates rubber aging and reduces the fatigue resistance of the cord layers, leading to early tire separation or blowouts. Therefore, limiting driving speed is crucial for controlling tire temperature. Impact of summer driving on tires: In summer, road surface temperatures often exceed 70 degrees Celsius. Driving in hot weather makes it difficult for tires to dissipate accumulated heat due to high external temperatures, causing a rapid rise in tire temperature and an increase in internal pressure. This accelerates rubber aging, leading to cord layer separation or blowout damage. Hence, extra attention should be paid to controlling tire temperature and driving speed during hot weather.
It is normal for summer tires to reach temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius, especially during hot seasons or high-speed driving. Having worked in the automotive industry for many years, I’ve seen many similar cases. The primary cause is heat generated by tire friction; high road surface temperatures, fast speeds, or continuous braking can all push temperatures up to around 60 degrees. Generally, the safe range is between 50 and 80 degrees, so temperatures in the 60s are not considered dangerous. However, potential issues should be noted: rising temperatures increase tire pressure, raising the risk of a blowout, especially with aged tires or overloading. It’s advisable to regularly check tire pressure during daily driving, preferably when the tires are cold; using a tire pressure monitoring system is even better. Additionally, summer tires are made with heat-resistant rubber compounds, but prolonged high-speed operation should be avoided—taking breaks to cool down can extend tire life. Safety comes first—if temperatures are abnormal, don’t ignore it; pull over and inspect as soon as possible.
