What Does a Hot Melt Tire Mean?
3 Answers
Hot melt tires refer to tires whose treads melt into a gel-like state due to the heat generated from friction with the road surface during use. Below is relevant information about hot melt tires: 1. Working Principle: Hot melt tires are tires whose surfaces melt or enter a gel state at certain temperatures. After driving for a period, the tire surface can reach 90 degrees Celsius and turn into a gel state, thereby enhancing grip. 2. Suitable Venues: Hot melt tires are essentially slick tires with no drainage grooves or any tread patterns on the surface, allowing for the maximum contact area of the tire. They provide the greatest friction on dry surfaces, enabling the tires to tightly adhere to the ground. Therefore, hot melt tires are mostly used in situations where high grip is required without much consideration for cost, such as in track racing.
I'm quite familiar with hot-melt tires when it comes to track racing. They're specifically designed to soften and melt at high temperatures, aiming to enhance grip and keep the car steady through corners. As speed builds up and tire temperature rises, the rubber slightly melts and sticks to the track surface, acting like glue to firmly grip the ground, preventing skidding during turns. This is particularly thrilling on track days, offering faster acceleration and precise cornering. However, they come with plenty of drawbacks—low durability and short lifespan, possibly wearing out after just a hundred kilometers or so. They're unsuitable for daily city driving, being noisy and prone to losing control in wet conditions. Moreover, they become as hard as rocks when temperatures are too low, compromising safety. I recommend using them only on professional racetracks for fun, not swapping them onto regular cars out of novelty—it's both costly and dangerous. Choosing tires should be based on actual needs; regular tires are sufficient for the safety of everyday drivers.
I've noticed in my daily driving that while hot melt tires sound novel, they're essentially just a type of high-performance tire that melts as temperatures rise to increase friction. For us ordinary folks, they're completely unnecessary because they wear out too quickly on city roads—tire treads can be gone after just a few dozen kilometers, which is a waste of money. Plus, the noise while driving is incredibly annoying, and their grip becomes unstable in cold or rainy weather, making accidents more likely. I've personally witnessed similar accidents where drivers using these tires lost control while speeding in the rain. The cost is also high, with a full set costing thousands, which isn't worth it. Safety comes first—let's stick with everyday durable tires that are easy to maintain and have low upkeep costs. If you're interested in learning about racing, start with books or videos to avoid making mistakes.
