Tire pressures... (F150, insurance, vehicle, traction)

[JTraik]

I figured it out. Mod, please delete this thread.

[johnfrisco]

Well we could have had a nice discussion about tire pressure.

[JTraik]

Originally Posted by johnfrisco

Well we could have had a nice discussion about tire pressure.

Ok... do you fill your tires up according to the "max tire pressure" or do you fill them up according to the vehicle's factory specified pressure usually indicated on the door panel?

[stan4]

LOL. I find 30 is a nice round tire pressure.

[Jezer]

I set them to the normal running pressure indicated on the door/handbook.

The pressures they recommend for fully laden on at least one vehicle I had proved somewhat excessive, with car control reduced.

I purchased a US racing standard tyre (sorry, tire) guage and check both our cars weekly and before a long trip.

Cheap guages I bought in the past were not accurate, and I had them recalibrated in the lab where I worked.

I've been involved in advanced driving training, and if you think I'm thorough, the Highway police over here check their tire pressures daily.

[Crew Chief]

I'm the proud owner (along with my credit union) of a 2008 Ford F150. The truck is equipped with a low tire pressure sensor, but I still check 'em every couple of weeks or so (as recommended by the owner's maual) I use the sticker in the door jamb, which recommends 38 psi. I own a professional-grade tire guage and I even bought a 60' long air hose that hooks to the air pressure system on a tractor trailer (glad hands) The truck's 150 psi air system airs up tires nicely!

[johnfrisco]

When I fill to max tire pressure my car's ride is much rougher and traction is the snow is terrible.

I bet most of those quick oil lube places fill the tire pressure to the max.

[M3 Mitch]

The door jamb sticker is a good place to start, depending on the vehicle and how well you personfiy the type of driver the car was marketed to, you may want to deviate some, mostly to higher pressure.

The pressures suggested for the M3 - don't quote me on these - but for the V-rated tires intended for this car are something like 39 front 41 rear.

Something like the Ford Explorer where the tire pressure was spec'ed out for a cushy ride rather than best traction or even safety in the case of higher speeds, heavy loads, and high ambient temperature, you may want to go considerably higher.

I do try to keep the manufacturer's specified balance though - if they suggest 3 PSI more in the rear for example, they have a good reason for that and you ought to go with it.

If you find you are crowding the maximum safe air pressure specified on the tire sidewall, you have probably got the wrong tires on the vehicle, at least for the way *you* drive.

Any kind of emergency vehicle or any vehicle that will be driven at high speed and/or with a heavy load - checking the tire pressure at the beginning of the day is cheap insurance, and it would be negligent not to do this.

[texdav]

I use the door jam pressure but always keep a eye on the tire wear> amny times they put low pressures on the door to get a soft ride but many times if too low the front edges will wear. Once i get even wear that is the combo;many times this depends on the favcotry camber setting also.Sfot shocks can alos do make this wear pattern.

[car54]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

I'm the proud owner (along with my credit union) of a 2008 Ford F150. The truck is equipped with a low tire pressure sensor, but I still check 'em every couple of weeks or so (as recommended by the owner's maual) I use the sticker in the door jamb, which recommends 38 psi. I own a professional-grade tire guage and I even bought a 60' long air hose that hooks to the air pressure system on a tractor trailer (glad hands) The truck's 150 psi air system airs up tires nicely!

Hey Chief, I have a 50' air hose I use to "blow out" my school bus. I just open the two side emergency doors and the entry door, climb under the bus and hook up my hose and blast away.

Much easier than sweeping!