Just bought a 2002 (upgrade from my 1980) and I'm wondering about the correct pressure for the tires. Original run flats - the readout on the dash has them between 29-31 and the tires read 44 MAX. Is there a corrrect pressure or is there a pressure that gives the smoothest ride for these tires?

thanks

 

Specs on my 2000 with runflats is - 30 PSI cold - 32 PSI hot.

 

Correct pressure is 30 psi cold.

 

Just what the sticker on the door frame says.

 

 

How many people are gonna ask this today?????

 

The sticker on the door takes all of the variables into account and gives an ideal cold pressure to match the dynamics of your C5.

Trust the OLD ONE: go with the door sticker (that's the driver's door).

 

Not One person got this right

 

I guess one more!

 

quick AND EASY.. tires never wear while they are cold.. they do not perform at all when they are cold.. the idea is to have them at the proper temperature hot yes hot.,..now doesn't that make more sense?
Every performance group: Winston cup, formula 1 , NHRA, Sema, IHRA, etc measures the track temperature many time over the course of the day, and adjust tire pressure according to the cars set up... they test tire pressure "Hot" because the car will see Hot tire pressure while performing. You Can not tell me a Guy in Bismarck North Dakota should set his cold tire pressure to what it says on the door specially when its -27F, and the same door sticker is in the C5 that is in Arizona on a 110 F day.. Yeah I know its a dry heat, but if both guys put 30 psi in their car... one will be 25 psi soon as he is out on the road, and the other guy will see 35 when he is put on the road..
road temperatures on a 95+ day on a black top road in Georgia can reach 160 F.
OK you want the number..????
I don't let my tires get over 30psi or under 28psi and that's while they are at operating temp..
Using this method I can consistently get 43/45000 miles out of a set a tires.. and this is some aggressive driving..
the problem with cold temps specially in the summer is the heat up quickly to 35/36 psi.. and become center high the foot print diminishes you get less traction by taking an inch out of the footprint, you loose traction and the tires lose grip and you wind up erasing 30% of the tire because you don't have a even down force and your 10 in rear wheels are now 8 inches...
WOW, that wasn't quick and easy..
remember all performance crew monitor track temperature and adjust the car accordingly so Hot tire pressure is important to them .. they can get a extra few laps from tires that are set by the road temp... and also better gas mileage.. most people here that push their car see center tire wear this is because they have too much tire pressure in their car when they are hot..

 

mine i just re did.. they are 29 cold.. is that ok?

 

For '99 - Volume 1-3 - section 3, page 104 -

"The Tire Placard (information label) is permanently located on the rear of the driver's door edge. The following information may be found on the Tire Placard (information label):

* The maximum vehicle load.
* The tire size.
*The COLD inflation pressure for the tire."


From GM's lips -


PS - Cold is defined as local ambient air temp.

 

No offense E-T, but trying to keep the tire pressure at a constant 30 psi HOT as if in racing conditions is not practical in my opinion. So it is 85F one day and I let some air out of my tires, the next day it is 65F, I have to pull out the air compressor and put air back in my tires? I'm not going to go through that hassle. Setting the tire pressure at 30 psi when they are cold is what is recommended all seasons of the year, and should be good enough for non-racing drivers.

 

ET is Absolutly Correct in what he says...But The GM Recommended cold Pressure on the door sticker is for "Real" life driving. Not Optimal Competition pressures, simply, a compromise........

 

The sticker on the door states the recommended pressure is 30 psi cold. That's what I run and it gives a good ride and even wear.