Why Tyre Pressures Rise on Track

Last updated: 3 July 2026 · Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Tyre pressures rise on track because the tyre, wheel and air inside get hotter. As air temperature rises, pressure rises with it. The harder the tyre works, the more pressure gain you see.

What creates heat?

• Braking load
• Cornering force
• Sliding
• Car weight
• Session length
• Track temperature

Why hot PSI matters

Cold PSI is only a starting point. Hot PSI is what the tyre actually runs at when the car is being driven properly. That is why serious setup notes always include hot pressure readings.

How to use this

Use the calculator to estimate your cold baseline, then check the hot number in the paddock and adjust from there.