tire pressure
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 2
From: Huntingburg Indiana
tire pressure
How much air pressure is everyone using in their tires? The GM shop manual says 24 pounds, but that's with a stock bias ply tire. I have a 245 60 15 radial. Just wondering what's best.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
I run 35psi all the way around. It makes for a firmer ride but gives better tire wear and somewhat better fuel economy, but when the car gets 6mpg, any improvement is more theoretical than real.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
The manufactures like to post a lower PSI in tire pressure for ride quality. Higher PSI in the tires helps to stiffen the side wall, provide better handling and better fuel mileage
I like to run 35 PSI all the way around on mine but I have 225 70 15 Radials. On a 245 60 15 I would run 32 PSI any more than that it will wear the center of the tire out faster.
I like to run 35 PSI all the way around on mine but I have 225 70 15 Radials. On a 245 60 15 I would run 32 PSI any more than that it will wear the center of the tire out faster.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: Ormond Beach Florida
TIRE LOAD RANGE: B = 32 psi (Maximum inflation pressure), C = 36 psi (MIP) and D = 40 psi (MIP)
STANDARD (METRIC TIRES) =35 psi (MIP)
EXTRA (METRIC TIRES) = 41 psi (MIP)
*For ustained driving at speeds of 75 mph to 85 mph cold inflation pressures must be increased 4 psi above the stated cold inflation pressures on the Tire Placard up to the maximum for each load range shown above. Sustained spedds of 75 mph to 85 mph are not advised when the 4 psi adjustment would require pressures greater than the maximum for each load range shown above.
Source: 1982 Chevorolet Corvette Shop Manual ST-364-82. Section: Wheels and Tires 3E-7
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Try 30 psi, front and rear. Adjust as required. I don't think you need to run much more than 32 psi for regular street driving.
IMHO, the C3 cars have "oversized" tires, comparing the load rating of the tires to the weight of the vehicle. So you don't need to run them at max rated pressure.
IMHO, the C3 cars have "oversized" tires, comparing the load rating of the tires to the weight of the vehicle. So you don't need to run them at max rated pressure.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
For better fuel mileage and handling 32 PSI.
I get my knowledge from working in a tire shop for 3 years and seeing what over inflation of tires will do. I used to run 60s on my 2 1976 Chevelles and 1972 El Camino and ran 32 PSI with your same size tire. Tires wore evenly I used to run 245 60 15 on all three cars and got on average 16 MPG Hwy and slightly lower 14 MPG Street on all 3.
I get my knowledge from working in a tire shop for 3 years and seeing what over inflation of tires will do. I used to run 60s on my 2 1976 Chevelles and 1972 El Camino and ran 32 PSI with your same size tire. Tires wore evenly I used to run 245 60 15 on all three cars and got on average 16 MPG Hwy and slightly lower 14 MPG Street on all 3.
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