Tire Pressure
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 416
Likes: 4
From: Iron Mountain,Michigan
Tire Pressure
Hello Fellow Vetteheads,
Last week I purchased a set of Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's. While the tire tech was mounting the tires I asked him what pressures he had inflated them to and he said 35#s, I told him that the front tires according to the door sticker reads 20#s and the rears 26#s he gave this speech about wear at such a low pressure and I assured him that the last tires I had for many years wore very well at these pressures. Where have I gone wrong or have I ?
Thank You in Advance
Last week I purchased a set of Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's. While the tire tech was mounting the tires I asked him what pressures he had inflated them to and he said 35#s, I told him that the front tires according to the door sticker reads 20#s and the rears 26#s he gave this speech about wear at such a low pressure and I assured him that the last tires I had for many years wore very well at these pressures. Where have I gone wrong or have I ?
Thank You in Advance
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Goodyear techs say the tires last longer at the pressures on the sidewall of the tire. Usually higher than the door sticker. My thought is that GM didn't really care how long the tire lasted, but didn't want customers yipping about how rough the car rides.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
I suggest following the pressures listed on your tire pretty closely. My personal belief about most "tire failures" like the recent Ford SUV flap are caused by car manufacturers diverging from tire manufacturer's pressure ratings in order to improve NVH or perceived ride issues in the basic platform design. Note that I am not a tire engineer, nor am I employed in the auto industry at all... this is only my personal opinion.
Last edited by markids77; May 14, 2010 at 09:46 PM. Reason: spelling
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Groton MA
If I'm not mistaken the pressure on the sidewall of the tire is the pressure required for the tire to carry its maximum rated load, not necessarily what it should be inflated to for your car. The manufacturer's recommended inflation for your car is on the tag inside the drivers door.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Fox Lake Illinois
When I first got my 77 Vette, I was running the tires at 35# all the way around. I nearly lost my fillings. So... I backed off to 32#. Much better. Reason: Every pound of air pressure raised or lowered is the equivalence of changing the spring rates of your suspension by several pounds.
Having sold tires in the past I can vouch that you should use the tire manufacturer specs not the car manufacturer specs. GM put those low specs on the door sticker so the car would ride more comfortably.
I'm not a fan of Firestone tires, but they got screwed in the Ford SUV case. That heavy a vehicle should never have tires inflated to 20 some odd psi. Sure, they rode better.... but at what price. At 26psi the tire will run hotter than at 32psi as the sidewall will flex more. That's why the tires blew out on the SUV's. Don't forget that your Vette is a 3500 pound car not a 2700 pound Cavalier.
Ultimately it's a trade off. Ride vs handling.
Having sold tires in the past I can vouch that you should use the tire manufacturer specs not the car manufacturer specs. GM put those low specs on the door sticker so the car would ride more comfortably.
I'm not a fan of Firestone tires, but they got screwed in the Ford SUV case. That heavy a vehicle should never have tires inflated to 20 some odd psi. Sure, they rode better.... but at what price. At 26psi the tire will run hotter than at 32psi as the sidewall will flex more. That's why the tires blew out on the SUV's. Don't forget that your Vette is a 3500 pound car not a 2700 pound Cavalier.
Ultimately it's a trade off. Ride vs handling.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 74
From: New Carlisle IN
Also wern't most of those pressures for bias-ply tires. Nowadays we put radials on the cars and I believe they like higher pressures. I run my tires at 32 on almost everything i have except my truck. I even run my kumho r-compunds at 32 front and 30 rear when I autocross.
You have to read the tires carfully. Some pressures are the max pressure for the tire and some are at what pressue it can carry the max load. Most car tires usually have the max pressure on them, while things like trailer tires have the max load pressure.
You have to read the tires carfully. Some pressures are the max pressure for the tire and some are at what pressue it can carry the max load. Most car tires usually have the max pressure on them, while things like trailer tires have the max load pressure.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Fox Lake Illinois
I've never checked myself, but I'll bet you could go to the tires manufactures web site for tech info such as recommended pressures.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
I run my tire pressure on my Camaro at 35psi and haven't had a problem with tire wear. Your tires should have the recommended tire pressure on the side. When I first got the car the tire were under inflated,35psi for me, and put 35psi of air and I felt a smoother ride right away
.
.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
With those 500+ treadwear tires it doesn't make much of a difference...they will give you poor dry traction for a very very long time no matter what pressure you put in them. But, 35 is too high for any passenger tire with just a single passenger and perhaps some luggage...normally don't see pressure that high unless you are hauling lumber or something.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,357
Likes: 5,242
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
32 cold PSI for radials. Forget the numbers on the side of the tire. Those are max pressures and the tire would be very over-inflated and would wear in the middle.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
It's also a good idea to watch for uneven wear patterns. If you see the tires wearing in the middle more then reduce the tire pressue and if you see more wear in on the edges then increase the tire pressure. But, with a treadwear of 500 or more you won't notice anything for several years.