What Causes a Single Tire to Overheat?
3 Answers
Overheating of a single tire may be due to a damaged brake pump. Pay attention to tire pressure: In high-temperature conditions, it is essential to adjust the tire pressure appropriately. Even when the tire heats up, the air pressure should remain within a controllable range. Address abnormal conditions promptly: When a tire shows abnormalities or minor damage, it must be dealt with immediately. In high temperatures, tires become softer, which can reduce the friction between the ground and the tire. If the tread is too thin, the grip will definitely decrease, inadvertently increasing the vehicle's braking distance and potentially causing rear-end collisions. Monitor wear indicators: There is a significant difference in traction and grip between new and old tires. Severely worn tires, even winter tires, cannot perform effectively on icy or snowy roads. Therefore, tires should be replaced promptly based on their wear condition.
Last time I went on a long-distance trip, I noticed the right rear wheel was extremely hot to the touch, so I pulled over immediately to check. The most common cause is a brake caliper that isn't retracting properly, with a stuck piston causing the brake pads to constantly rub against the disc. Lack of lubrication or damage to the bearings can also generate heat through friction—try spinning the tire freely; if you hear a humming noise, it's likely this issue. A deformed wheel hub rubbing against the brakes or severely low tire pressure causing the sidewall to drag can also lead to overheating. The most dangerous scenario is a kinked brake hose causing one-sided brake lock-up, at which point the wheel hub can get hot enough to smoke. Remember, when testing the temperature with the back of your hand, never touch the tread—I learned this the hard way, as the stones in the tread can cut your hand and make it bleed.
Over a decade of repairing cars, I've encountered numerous cases of single-tire overheating. Brake system issues account for 70% of these cases, particularly when the brake pad guide pins rust and seize, or when the caliper pistons accumulate carbon deposits and fail to retract. Damaged universal joints in the drive shaft can cause the tire to twist and rub as it moves, generating heat like twisting a rope. Misaligned wheel alignment leads to uneven tire wear, such as wheels with significant camber deviation grinding on one side while driving. Once, I saw a tire become out-of-round after a balancing weight fell off, vibrating and heating up like a rammer during operation. If you notice this situation, it's advisable to shut off the engine immediately and inspect. I've witnessed wheel hubs getting so hot they ignited the sidewall rubber.
