Michelin tire max tire pressure at 35 psi

[Russell]

Why does Michelin state the maximum tire pressure for the LTX M?S is 35 psi while Bridgestone and Goodyear, I supect others, state the max is 44 psi? Just sort of wondering?

 

[CapriRacer]

What you have is a P metric tire, S or T rated. The maximum load carrying capacity occurs at 35 psi. However it is permissble - even suggested, in some circumstances - that you can inflate up to 44 psi.

Tha'st how the tire standard reads.

But the regulation that states the requirements for what is printed on the sidewall are a little unclear. They call for the maximum load and inflation pressure.

Most folks interpret that to mean the maximum load and the maximum inflation - 2 distinct thngs!

However, Michelin, and a few others, interpret the regulation to mean the maximum load (no difference from the others) and the pressure that it occurs at.

 

[Russell]

Interesting. It is an S rated tire. Apparently it is well thought of for on-road use. BTW, the door sticker on the subject vehicle, a 98 explorer eddie bauer, states 30 psi, not 26 pi like the explorer with 15" wheels.

 

[Dominic]

Tirerack shows many tires with either 35, 44, 51, 80, or 100 psi as their max. Most sportscar tires with stiffer sidewalls are rated 51.

 

[CapriRacer]

It's hard to draw conclusions in this area. The regulation is a little unclear and the tire standard also is a little vague.

But I think you will find that tires for sports cars are rated at 51 psi because of the speed rating - and the stiffer sidewalls are because higher speed rated tires generally go on car the need more responsive handling. Speed rating and handling kind of go hand-in-hand from a vehicle perspective, but they aren't tied together from a tire function point of view.