Doesn't seem like there was much margin in the design. How was this even allowed to be sold?
https://www.caranddriver.com/columns/a-look-behind-the-tire-...
>How hot does the tire get? Typical tires experience a temperature increase of roughly 50 degrees after running on the highway for a half-hour. If it's a 70-degree day, this suggests a tire temperature of about 120 degrees.
So even at 120 degree weather, you'd only expect the tires to reach 170 degrees. That's still far below the 194 that they're rated for.
Most I find are like this [1], which would allow a max road surface temp at 100F air temp at the equator with the sun directly overhead on a perfectly clear day to reach around 148F. (see equation 17 in the paper).
The rest of the literature I have found is similar. I doubt roads in the US south reach 175, and likely not even 150.
[1] http://www.ijirae.com/volumes/Vol2/iss8/01.AUAE10083.pdf
>Dr Howard Robinson, chief executive of the Road Surface Treatments Association, says most roads in the UK that experience a reasonable amount of traffic will start softening at 50C.
>[...]
>And dark road material can absorb a lot of heat. The typical summer ground temperature is higher than air temperature. Robinson says roads "regularly" reach a temperature of 50C and above. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23315384) //
50 deg C is 122F; but this is UK with air temps of ~30 deg C
The OP claimed 150-175 is common on a 100 degree day. No research I can find (except one single author) is anywhere near that amount.
[0]https://gizmodo.com/5807171/phoenixs-emerald-colored-cool-pa...
Given the all time high temp in Phoenix was 122F [1], I suspect this article is playing loose with the facts implying this temperature is a common occurrence, casting more doubt on the accuracy of the 170 claim. From a quick search, only two months in history recorded temperatures above 120, while the article implies this is common. It is not.
So yes, you can find people (like the above) stating these temps without attribution. I've not found anything in academic research with temperatures anywhere near that high, and there is a lot of papers on exactly this topic, with plenty comparing models to actual measured temps. I've been unable to find anything empirical in such papers near these claims.
I'm beginning to think these numbers are more folklore than fact.
[1] http://www.intellicast.com/local/history.aspx?location=USAZ0...
The road wasn't even blacktop, it was "tar and chip", which is much lighter in color and tends to absorb less heat than pure blacktop asphalt.
Of course, that's silly (but you know there will be moralizers ready to say that, often the sort who wouldn't yield the passing lane to speeders). First, we have highways with higher speed limits anyways (up to 85mph in the U.S.). Second, people speed -- our highways and cars are generally designed to tolerate much higher speeds. I have seen caravans of cars drive up the NJ turnpike at speeds in excess of 130mph.
You don't need sports-car maneuverability on big, fairly light-traffic interstates.
From San Antonio to El Paso interstate 10 is 550 miles of extremely smooth, well designed divided highway with speed limits of 80 mph for much of the way. There is almost nothing of interest between those two points, esp. if your trip objective is somewhere west.
You'd be insane to not run at the maximum safe speed of your vehicle.
Many RV trailer tires are only rated to 65 mph, although there are some 80 mph rated ones becoming common because people are so tempted to gain back those extra hours of travel time slowing to 65 involves.
The maximum safe speed varies according to conditions, of course, but it is the actual maximum safe speed. By definition you can drive at maximum safe speed all day long with only the usually accepted risk of vehicular travel.
I've driven at high speeds, too, but only in a car with tires rated for high speed. I have an old Ford truck, and I never drive it over 60.
If you're going to drive fast, it's your responsibility to ensure your vehicle is in shape for it, with tires and brakes are in excellent condition and properly rated for the conditions.
I mentioned earlier that I was getting my hangar queen back on the road, and without question that means the brake system / suspension is getting thoroughly overhauled, and brand new tires. (Tires can look brand new, but they age and deteriorate and get unsafe.)