Tire Temperature - What is Significant?

[Alfred622]

I got an IR thermometer "gun" and started using it on this trip for the first time. I'm not sure what I'm looking for. After an hour of 60mph driving in 70 degree F temperature, I pulled off the road and measured the dual rear wheels.

Both outside tires (sidewalls) were 108 degrees, and both interior tires (sidewalls as best I could) were 111 degrees. Front tires were 107 degrees each.

1. I'm assuming these are all pretty close so nothing bad stands out -- Is that correct?

2. I'm assuming the 3 degrees difference between rear outside and rear inside was due to less air circulation for the inside tire, but that is ok? Would YOU agree?

3. I've searched forums for tire temperature interpretation, and only found one comment to beware if the tire temp gets more than 60 degrees above ambient air. Are there any other rules-of-thumb that YOU use?

4. I assume we're most concerned about significantly different hot temperatures. When do YOU get worried: 1 tire 10 degrees warmer, 20 degrees, 50 degrees warmer than its neighbors?

Thanks so much for your advice. I'm hoping we can reach some consensus that will be valuable to many people looking for Tire Temperatures!

[Old-Biscuit]

Artum Snowbird wrote:
I think what you are doing with the laser gun is perfect. Also, you can shoot your brakes and your center wheel bearings too.

Those guns will also find hot spots in your wiring if you are troubled by intermittent connections and don't know where to look, loose wires tend to heat up the connections so your laser gun will find that. Check your battery connections too, and connections to grounds.

X2.
Simple, easy to use 'tool'

[Artum_Snowbird]

I think what you are doing with the laser gun is perfect. Also, you can shoot your brakes and your center wheel bearings too.

Those guns will also find hot spots in your wiring if you are troubled by intermittent connections and don't know where to look, loose wires tend to heat up the connections so your laser gun will find that. Check your battery connections too, and connections to grounds.

[Mandalay_Parr]

I have never measured the temp of either the MH or the car tires in the 10 years I have owned them.
I just make sure the pressures are correct.

[big_jim_2]

Your temperatures are about what I see from my tire pressure monitors. Sometimes the side that faces the sun may run slightly higher then shaded side. What surprised me was how fast the tires heat up. Also my dingy tires run a few degrees warmer than the motorhome.

[bshpilot]

1st i don't use a laser thermometer, a laser thermometer is only good when you're stopped....and on a long ride we might rack up 8-12 hrs between stops.

My TST tpms, pressure/temp monitoring system has registered 165* in stop an go traffic on 105* days
ive also seen tire temps drop quickly (to near ambient air temp) with the slightest bit of rain.

I have also noticed slightly higher temps on the tires closest to my generator (when i run the generator).

I wonder at the stops you use the laser thermometer are you ask checking the tire pressure ? Tire pressure can effect tire temperature.

with a TPMS system you know both - realtime, rolling or stopped.

[Old-Biscuit]

I shoot between the tire threads....second thread in and from same distance.

I am looking for temp higher than other tires on same side.....and what kind of trend is going on.

For me....15*F difference between tires on same side is reason for concern.