Can we revisit the concept of heat cycling tires by highway driving? Yes, I have read the articles from GRM and Tire Rack, but this still seems questionable.
Consider a Porsche owner with new Cup 2s, who commutes 1 hour each way to work. At the end of the month, he participates in an HPDE weekend. His tires would have less than 3K miles on them, but 40 heat cycles. They would be heat cycled out, and have low grip. This just does not sound right.
On the track, 200 tw tires hit 180 deg or so. Even on a hot day of 90 deg, the commuter's tires would only hit 120-130 deg. This is a significant difference. While highway driving will remove surface oils and any mold release chemicals, it just does not seem it would cause the structural changes that are associated with heat cycling. I am sold on the benefits of heat cycling tires before use, I am just dubious that street driving can do the job. Any insights beyond quoting JG's fine articles?
You mention TR, but did you see this test article?
https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/is-tire-rack-heat-cycling-as-good-as-oncar-heat-cycling
^^ No heat cycle vs on-car street cycling vs TR machine heat cycling
Further, I think you are confusing an "initial heat cycle" and its purpose, with cycles from continued use.
The initial cycle is supposed to be "low stress".
Per TR:
Putting new Track & Competition DOT tires through an easy initial heat cycle and then not running them for a minimum of 24 hours allows the rubber bonds to relink in a more uniform manner than they were originally manufactured. Heat cycling actually makes Track & Competition DOT tread compounds more consistent in strength and more resistant to losing their strength the next time they are used.
On track use is a high stress heat cycle, which works the tire much harder trying to break down those bonds. Keep doing it long enough and the tire becomes junk.
Easy heat cycles (i.e. daily driving) do not work the tire in this way, so they have a much more minimal effect over time. It's not zero, though, as that heat will eventually work to harden the rubber.
Makes sense?
