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| www.kodiakmotorsports.com/lagauges.htm |
What to Buy and How to Take Proper Readings
Understanding and interpreting tire temperatures can seem difficult, This tutorial will have you taking tire temps like a pro in no time. Tire temps help you determine: Optimum tire pressure, optimum tire temperature, optimum camber/alignment settings, and tire longevity.
The first question you might ask is should I buy a "Laser or Probe?" That's an easy one. Get a probe type pyrometer. Why? You need the internal temperature of the rubber in order to obtain the proper readings. Surface temperatures cool quickly, while core temps are stable by comparison.
Tire temperatures are measured at the inside edge, middle, and outside edge of the tire. It is critical to take temperature readings as soon as the car comes off the track otherwise the temperature across the surface of the tire will become more uniform as the whole tread surfaces cools.
Start with the tire that gets the most load or works hardest. As an example, at a track that has 7 right and 3 left hand corners, start with the left front tire, move to the left rear tire, then to the right front tire and finally the right rear tire. This maximizes the readings from the hottest tire to coolest tire. Use a Tire Temp sheet like the one shown below:
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| www.automotivearticles.com/123/Tire_Temps.shtml |
All of the temperatures are recorded as if you were looking down on the top of the car. Logically, the right front tire is on the right front of the sheet and the outside temperature of the front right tire is recorded on the outside. Following this pattern consistently is of critical importance since you need consistent data points to properly interpret different sets of tire temperatures. In the next post we'll cover how to analyze the temp data and use the information to help you go faster. Go to Part II.
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