Miata Mailing List: March 2000, Message #16

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In a message dated 2/29/00 10:17:39 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
M97C94B90@aol.com writes:

<< I am getting conflicting stories about heat cycling from the 
factory/vendor.  
 Some say Tire Rack and the like have machinery which can heat cycle a tire 
in 
 their facility.  Others say they just throw them on a car like I would and 
 run them to heat cycle them.  Anyone got the real story here?
 
+++ not conflicting at all, Cat...just two different options.  Tire Rack heat 
cycles by mounting the tire on three rollers and then bringing it to temp and 
letting it sit for 24 hours (your shipping period).  They arrive ready to 
mount and drive.

 What is the best method for me to heat cycle my tires if I need to do it 
 myself?  Heard run them at 55 - 60 for an hour and then run them at a higher 
 sustained speed (what speed?) for another hour and then put them up for a 
 minimum of 24 hours but preferably 48 hours with no use.  Correct? >>

++ The second method is the one I described to you based on you buying the 
tires from a seller without the ability to heat cycle them as tire rack does. 
 You did however, misquote me, as I think I suggested 55-60 for the first 1/2 
hour and then at a higher sustained speed for the second 1/2 hour...not two 
hours...just one.   What speed?  Interstate speeds work fine.   I heat cycle 
my race tires on I-4 in just this manner and get 5-6 events from them, the 
same as those I pay to have cycled.   24 hours without use would seem to be 
very adequate.

As to how to place them for cooling...I leave them mounted on the car with no 
spotting or other problems.

Have fun!

bob