What Causes Car Tires to Become Hot to the Touch?
2 Answers
The reason car tires may become hot to the touch could be due to the vehicle traveling at high speeds, which increases the heat generated during braking, leading to a rise in tire temperature. Overview of Vehicle Speed: Vehicle speed refers to the distance a car travels per unit of time, commonly referred to as speed, with units typically expressed in kilometers per hour or meters per second. Vehicle speed is one of the three key parameters used to describe traffic flow and holds significant importance in traffic flow theory research. Classification of Vehicle Speed: Vehicle speed can also broadly refer to motor vehicle speed. To accommodate different applications, vehicle speed is mainly categorized into spot speed, running speed, and design speed. Spot speed is the instantaneous speed of a vehicle passing a specific point on the road. Design speed is the speed established to determine the design indicators of various geometric elements of a road and ensure their coordination.
I always drive to and from work, and every time I park, I find the tires unbearably hot when I touch them. The main reason is simple: when the car is running on the road, the tires continuously rub against the road surface, generating a lot of heat—just like rubbing your hands together to warm them up. Additionally, when braking, the friction from the brake discs generates heat that transfers to the wheel hubs, causing the entire tire to heat up. Weather is also a factor—on hot summer days, the scorching ground and direct sunlight cause the rubber tires to absorb heat even faster. I used to not pay much attention to tire pressure until one time when I was fully loaded on a long highway trip, and the tires became extremely hot to the touch. Upon checking, I realized the tire pressure was too low, causing excessive deformation and increased friction. Now, I’ve developed the habit of using a tire pressure gauge to check and maintain proper pressure before setting off. After parking, I wait a few minutes before touching the tires to avoid burns, and I also make sure to keep children away for safety—safety first, after all.
