Digital gauge. Overnight cold. set to 32.0 & 30.0
How picky are you?
- Thread starter LarryL
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I've got air gauges in each vehicle. One is a cheaper electronic unit. I've compared it to the others and it reflects, as much as I can detect, like readings.
In the 'packaged' cars ..they get the psi listed on the door sticker. In the jeeps it's based on tracking the tire wear over many thousands of miles since they both have LT tires with a GVW of 3300 lb. I don't like to rotate them until I've figured out the wear characteristics..and would rather take corrective measures (for toe and whatnot) based on wear patterns (yes, I have a tread depth gauge ..and I use it).
In the 'packaged' cars ..they get the psi listed on the door sticker. In the jeeps it's based on tracking the tire wear over many thousands of miles since they both have LT tires with a GVW of 3300 lb. I don't like to rotate them until I've figured out the wear characteristics..and would rather take corrective measures (for toe and whatnot) based on wear patterns (yes, I have a tread depth gauge ..and I use it).
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37 psi cold, dead-nuts on (in 205/55/16/W). I use a good ($80) mechanical gauge and if I'm more than a hair width off I'll correct. I'm so anal about it, I won't try to correct the tire pressure if one side of the car was in the sun.
35/30 for most of everything i own. i use a digital gauge and check every weekend. do the lawnmowers and stuff too, but they dont get 30/35
You guys have too much time on your hands. Gage inaccuracy, weather temp change, tire heatup, number of passengers, type of road, etc ownz you. I put about 2 pounds over the recommended values and check tire pressure every month or so. Thats more than 99% drivers on the road do.
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You check only once a month? Yikes, I check at least once a week during my "walkaround." Then again, I also admit to picking pebbles out of the tread...
I keep a pencil gage in each vehicle but use a dial gage at home, one up to 60 lbs, the other 100 lbs. A couple of the pencil gages became inconsistent as they got old/dirty so I replaced them. I usually do the max rated (35 lbs) on both cars, but one recent of tires was rated for 44 psi max so I use 38 lbs in that one in the summer, 35 in the winter. The truck is a hassle as the rear tires range from about 45 psi to 80 psi depending on load and speed, the fronts from 60 to 80 psi. In the summer I usually run 65 psi front and rear so that I'm ready for some highway driving with a light load, but I'll bump it up 70 psi front and rear for extended trips with a medium load. I check the when they look funny or every couple of weeks. I drove bikes for about 20 years and became picky about tire pressure.
I've been using the same cheapo foot pump for over 20 years, the hose has been replaced and I have a locking fitting on it now. I've looked for a better one but haven't sen any. It doesn't work for the truck, and I also gave away one of those smaller electric pumps as it just seemed to make a lot of noise. I ended up buying a used Dewalt continuous duty air pump from a neighbor who as a contractor, and it works great. It seems that about half of the gas station pumps let air out of the tires so I'm still looking for a portable pump.
I've been using the same cheapo foot pump for over 20 years, the hose has been replaced and I have a locking fitting on it now. I've looked for a better one but haven't sen any. It doesn't work for the truck, and I also gave away one of those smaller electric pumps as it just seemed to make a lot of noise. I ended up buying a used Dewalt continuous duty air pump from a neighbor who as a contractor, and it works great. It seems that about half of the gas station pumps let air out of the tires so I'm still looking for a portable pump.
Ok, you tire air pressure guru's (OCD's). I live in the desert Southwest. The placard of my car's doorframe states 32psi. The sidewall of the tire reads max pressure 44psi. I have been told by more than one "tire specialist" to put it at the maximum sidewall psi for cool running and less chance of blowout here in on the "molten" asphalt roadways in the Summer's.
Hence, I have since run my tires at the maximum psi for the past ten years that I've been here with excellent results.
What say you?
Oh, to stay on topic...I check my tires every two weeks and before long run's to Phoenix. Always cold in the AM. I had one new tire (one week old) go flat on me (thankfully the rear) on a hot Summer morning 'cause I didn't check the air pressure the next day as is my usual regimine after getting new tires. It had separated.
Highway patrol stopped to "watch" me change my tire and stated it happens every day even on "new " tires. No problems since after running them at the max psi.
Hence, I have since run my tires at the maximum psi for the past ten years that I've been here with excellent results.
What say you?
Oh, to stay on topic...I check my tires every two weeks and before long run's to Phoenix. Always cold in the AM. I had one new tire (one week old) go flat on me (thankfully the rear) on a hot Summer morning 'cause I didn't check the air pressure the next day as is my usual regimine after getting new tires. It had separated.
I remember seeing 20/20 or something like that, stating 60%+ of the tires on the road are underinflated, and most drivers don't have a clue. Hence the uncle sam mandated on board tire pressure warning system.
Patman
Staff member
I check my tire pressure almost every single day, but only because my Corvette's trip computer has a display which shows each individual tire pressure. I found it to be very accurate when I double checked it to my good digital gauge too.
I aim for 30psi cold for mine.
I aim for 30psi cold for mine.
30 is way to low for your car or any radial. 36 at least or more if you pu****...s.
"I heard you should bleed all the air out of each tire entirely, and reinflate with fresh air at least once a week."
Why? And if you did that you would break the bead unless you jacked it up.
Why? And if you did that you would break the bead unless you jacked it up.
For some reason I happen to notice cars with low tires. I see it all the time, and when I get the chance I usually pull up next to them and let them know. Several times I've done this with cars whose tires were dangerously flat, running down the highway with ripples in the sidewalls. How can they not notice?
Once I pulled up next to a lady and tried to get her attention for this reason. I was on her right side, waving at her with my window down. She didn't notice, but her teenage son in the passenger seat did notice, and decided that the appropriate response would be the universal gesture of appreciation, the one with the middle finger that we all know and appreciate.
I thought, what???
It's kind of amazing how forgiving tires are, actually.
- Glenn
Once I pulled up next to a lady and tried to get her attention for this reason. I was on her right side, waving at her with my window down. She didn't notice, but her teenage son in the passenger seat did notice, and decided that the appropriate response would be the universal gesture of appreciation, the one with the middle finger that we all know and appreciate.
I thought, what???
It's kind of amazing how forgiving tires are, actually.
- Glenn
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32 is most likely a cushy setting the car manufacturer expects the customer will enjoy. I'd go higher, unless you drive really lame or on really awful roads. Higher pressure improves handling (firmer, crisper steering), improves gas mileage, and does indeed make the tire run cooler. I'd say try how you like 36 psi. Between 32 and 36 psi you should feel a distinct difference. You may go higher, but you'll notice every minute crack and pebble on the road, which is a trade-off. You'll also reach a point where handling won't improve. 37-38 psi is probably the limit for your car and tire if the manufacturer calls for 32 psi.
The tire is the first shock-absorber on the vehicle. Too hard not only beats up the driver, but the suspension parts too. Mori, I don't suppose I could get you to try 205/60-16? Better ride and better price with more choices.
Patman
Staff member
Sprintman, 30 is not too low for my car, it's what GM recommends, and what most Corvette owners run. It's the best pressure to run for best tire life while still giving a good balance between ride and handling.
I do notice that when the tires heat up, they hit 35psi. Anything higher than this and the car doesn't seem to handle as well to me.
I do notice that when the tires heat up, they hit 35psi. Anything higher than this and the car doesn't seem to handle as well to me.
You guys are seriously insane.
1. AEHaas has it right on the money. Spend $3 on a pencil gauge. Associate that gauge to one car, and as long as the results are repeatable, you'll know what you have to do.
2. I used to be more anal. Then I got lazy one day and I think one side may have been 3/4 PSI off. (I only synchronize by axle--I often have different pressures in the rears) I couldn't feel a difference and I realized it's no big deal to be off by up to 1 PSI.
1. AEHaas has it right on the money. Spend $3 on a pencil gauge. Associate that gauge to one car, and as long as the results are repeatable, you'll know what you have to do.
2. I used to be more anal. Then I got lazy one day and I think one side may have been 3/4 PSI off. (I only synchronize by axle--I often have different pressures in the rears) I couldn't feel a difference and I realized it's no big deal to be off by up to 1 PSI.
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