Tire PSI
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 124
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From: Denham Springs Louisiana
Tire PSI
I have an 82, inside the door it says that the PSI should be 15 in the front tires and 35 in the back. My husband says that's wrong. I don't know, but my gut tells me to do what the door says. Can anyone tell me what's the right way to go.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 124
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From: Denham Springs Louisiana
At first I doubted my husband. Just makes since to me that the manual would know best, but 15 did seem really low. When I checked the tires myself and saw that the pressure gauge I was using didn't read lower than 20, that kinda confirmed 15 must be wrong. I just can't understand why would the manual say 15? What would cause that to change from 1982 to now? R was it always wrong?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,263
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From: perth Aus w.a
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
C3 of Year Winner (stock) 2019
If there are wearing on the out side of the tyre on both sides to low If middle wearing to hard .I have 35 psi in mine but its a bb so would be bit higher .I have 32 psi in rear
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Must be an error on the door sticker. At 15 psi, your front tires would fail at highway speeds, if run for very long. With low pressure, the sidewalls will flex too much when rotating and will generate heat...and then a blow-out.
Also, the C3 is front-end heavy. It wouldn't make any sense at all to put lower pressure in the front tires than you put in the rears.
I think 30-35 psi is about right for radial tires on the C3...depending on how firm you want the car to ride/handle.
Also, the C3 is front-end heavy. It wouldn't make any sense at all to put lower pressure in the front tires than you put in the rears.
I think 30-35 psi is about right for radial tires on the C3...depending on how firm you want the car to ride/handle.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 124
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From: Denham Springs Louisiana
I am learning. Thank you for your time.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Denham Springs Louisiana
Must be an error on the door sticker. At 15 psi, your front tires would fail at highway speeds, if run for very long. With low pressure, the sidewalls will flex too much when rotating and will generate heat...and then a blow-out.
Also, the C3 is front-end heavy. It wouldn't make any sense at all to put lower pressure in front tires than you put in the rears.
I think 30-35 psi is about right for radial tires on the C3...depending on how firm you want the car to ride/handle.
Also, the C3 is front-end heavy. It wouldn't make any sense at all to put lower pressure in front tires than you put in the rears.
I think 30-35 psi is about right for radial tires on the C3...depending on how firm you want the car to ride/handle.
I have so much to learn
Just curious, what does it say your pressure should be on that sticker inside the door of your 71?
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Tire manufacturers will detail PSI and other information (weight capacity/date of manufacture, etc) on the sidewall of the tire.
Their individual websites usually provide like information to each model/style of tire. Consider that they spend more resources than any of us, determining the tires capabilities. Since tires are consumables, I would trust the tire manufacturer first, with their own current data.
My .02.
Good luck. Be safe.
Their individual websites usually provide like information to each model/style of tire. Consider that they spend more resources than any of us, determining the tires capabilities. Since tires are consumables, I would trust the tire manufacturer first, with their own current data.
My .02.
Good luck. Be safe.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
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From: asheville nc
Found my orig 68 owners manual.....and on page 47, it says
24 front.....24 rear
I run about 32 in front and 26 or so in the rear with radials....the figures 24/24 were with a nylon tire F70-15.
Tires usually show a MAX...not what is recommended by the car mfg. The car mfg knows more than anyone what the tire pressure should be...they are the ones that designed the suspension with all its geometry for that particular car and they are the ones that test the vehicle as to all its needs....then recommend the tire and its pressure....and I will add that by building 3 street rods from the ground up....the GM front suspension clips cannot be matched by any outside mfg.
24 front.....24 rear
I run about 32 in front and 26 or so in the rear with radials....the figures 24/24 were with a nylon tire F70-15.
Tires usually show a MAX...not what is recommended by the car mfg. The car mfg knows more than anyone what the tire pressure should be...they are the ones that designed the suspension with all its geometry for that particular car and they are the ones that test the vehicle as to all its needs....then recommend the tire and its pressure....and I will add that by building 3 street rods from the ground up....the GM front suspension clips cannot be matched by any outside mfg.
Last edited by 68L79; Dec 9, 2013 at 10:53 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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Thanks to you also for sharing your knowledge. Seems like just common since after reading what you wrote. Like in my reply to sug, I guess common since isn't as common as it once was.
I have so much to learn
Just curious, what does it say your pressure should be on that sticker inside the door of your 71?
I have so much to learn
Just curious, what does it say your pressure should be on that sticker inside the door of your 71?
Would it be possible to see a pic of your tire pressure sticker? I know of no Corvette, or any other car, that used 15 psi tire pressure.