View Poll Results: Do you inflate tires to the max rating on the sidewall?
Yes
15
34.88%
No
28
65.12%
Voters: 43. You may not vote on this poll
Recommended VS maximum tire pressure, discuss.
10-06-2011, 11:17 AM
#22
Old Bastard
The people who designed and built the tire would know better then anybody.
Seems hard to believe that some folks would endanger their lives and the lives of others running around on weather checked (cracked) tires......
Another thing that really irritates the snot out of me is these Morons who spend tons of money to lift their trucks, put large tires on and do nothing to upgrade their brakes......
I guess some people are stupid enough to believe the laws of physics don't apply to them.
10-06-2011, 11:32 AM
#23
Senior Member
I have been putting the sidewall max in my cars for the last year or so. The mileage has increased. But at least in my truck, I noticed the rear tires are wearing out in the center. I think I will take the factory tire pressure and add sidewall pressure and divide by 2, to get the average.
After putting the truck to sidewall max, I did notice it handle much better. It planes through the street much better, and looses much less speed when coasting. It's just too bad they wear out so much faster.
After putting the truck to sidewall max, I did notice it handle much better. It planes through the street much better, and looses much less speed when coasting. It's just too bad they wear out so much faster.
10-06-2011, 12:08 PM
#25
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If your running regular radial tires without an aggressive tread pattern, sure, I can agree with that. But if your running a tire with an aggressive tread pattern I would say not so much. We can (and prolly will) all go back and forth on this till the cows come home, because there are literally thousands of tire sizes, makes, thicknesses, tread patterns, tread depths, applications, road conditions, I mean is anyone really any more right or wrong about any given tire than anyone else?
The only advantages to inflating tires to the maximum tire inflation pressure is a small increase in fuel mileage due to the reduced rolling resistance of the tire and increased max load weight capability of the tire, if the vehicle can support it.
Over inflation is not without a compromise to the integrity of the tire such as reduced tire patch adhesion to the road, increased chances of a blowout due to the increased pressure on the bead, and the tire may develop over inflation tire wear (in the center of tire) if it is grossly over inflated.
One way to know for sure before over inflation tire wear becomes apparent, is to take a piece of chalk and make a straight line across the entire tread of the tire. On smooth, flat pavement, drive the vehicle forward until the chalk starts to wear off (may only take a few revolutions.)
Wearing off evenly = correct tire wear
Wearing off on the inside = over inflation tire wear
Wearing off on the outside edges = under inflation tire wear
As of this writing, the poll is at:
Yes-10
No-10
Last edited by bluecar5556; 10-06-2011 at 04:13 PM.
10-06-2011, 12:37 PM
#26
Senior Member
Originally Posted by f150cam
seems hard to believe that some of the tires you find that you need 60+ PSI in only need 35 on our trucks.
10-06-2011, 12:53 PM
#29
Originally Posted by jrsdad98
I have to cautiosly agree with you on this one. You are right in the fact that once you put air in the tire it cannot gain more air only lose air. However, once ANY tire spends anything more than just a few minutes rotating at speed, the tire will heat up which causes the air inside to heat up. And as we all learned in 8th grade science class, a heated gas increases in volume unless it is confined inside a vessel then the pressure rises, aka. increasing psi.
Tire safety is paramount. Those four pieces of rubber are all that is between your vehicle and the road. Towing is affected by tire pressure, ride quality is affected, fuel mileage, acceleration, braking, road holding, rock climbing, mud cleaning, etc., are all positively or negatively affected by the amount of PRESSURE inside your tires.
As was stated earlier, there are literally thousands of combinations of vehicles, tire brands, sizes, road conditions, and so on. Each situation must be evaluated on its own merit. Personally, in my little Civic, I run about 38 psi it gives me a good combination of fuel mileage, tire life, some amount of comfort, and safety. In my 94 F150 4WD extended cab with 31/10.50R15 tires, I run about 30 on the road and if I am going off-roading, I back it down to about 25 or so, towing or heavy hauling up to about 34. Each situation is different, there is not a one answer fits all.
Please evaluate your driving conditions and talk to a qualified tire man to get as much information as you can. Always choose safety over any other consideration, the CHECK YOUR TIRES REGULARLY, and make adjustments accordingly.
BTW: Always check air pressure cold. Before driving or after at least 2 hours after driving.
10-06-2011, 01:14 PM
#30
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You inflate to max pressure when cold but are you certain your pressure gauge is properly calibrated? If the gauge reads lower than the actual pressure, this could be disastrous.
Are you implying that the tongue weight of your trailer plus the weight in the bed from the top of the axle to the rear (GAWR) Gross Axle Weight Rating, which includes vehicle weight on axle, "ex. GAWR=3500LB" is somewhere remotely close to the max load weight rating of a tire multiplied by 2 "ex. 2403LBx2=4806LBS" and warrants the tires to be inflated to max pressure to achieve the tires rated max load?
The "ex."=1999 F-150 2WD according to driver door jamb placard
Are you implying that the tongue weight of your trailer plus the weight in the bed from the top of the axle to the rear (GAWR) Gross Axle Weight Rating, which includes vehicle weight on axle, "ex. GAWR=3500LB" is somewhere remotely close to the max load weight rating of a tire multiplied by 2 "ex. 2403LBx2=4806LBS" and warrants the tires to be inflated to max pressure to achieve the tires rated max load?
The "ex."=1999 F-150 2WD according to driver door jamb placard
Last edited by bluecar5556; 10-06-2011 at 01:30 PM.