Correct Tire Pressure?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Correct Tire Pressure?
I have a C5 coupe with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS tires. Max PSI says 44 lbs. I live in Dallas and it's been hot (100 + degrees).
I don't drive alot. Mainly around the local area and downtown. Some highway and some main road.
So based on this, what would be the optimum pressure to keep in these tires?
I was always concerned not to inflate the tire alot in the extreme heat, but yesterday my gages came on saying my front left tire was low. After driving for a few minutes it read at about 26-28 PSI, which I suspect is too low.
Last, any recommendations for a tire gauge from Autozone?
I don't drive alot. Mainly around the local area and downtown. Some highway and some main road.
So based on this, what would be the optimum pressure to keep in these tires?
I was always concerned not to inflate the tire alot in the extreme heat, but yesterday my gages came on saying my front left tire was low. After driving for a few minutes it read at about 26-28 PSI, which I suspect is too low.
Last, any recommendations for a tire gauge from Autozone?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Well being we're in the hot Dallas heat..it never gets below 75 or so..
So are you saying 30 psi first thing in the morning before you drive or are you saying a specific cold temp?
So are you saying 30 psi first thing in the morning before you drive or are you saying a specific cold temp?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 0
From: Buckeye Country OH
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Originally Posted by vettesrm
Well being we're in the hot Dallas heat..it never gets below 75 or so..
So are you saying 30 psi first thing in the morning before you drive or are you saying a specific cold temp?
So are you saying 30 psi first thing in the morning before you drive or are you saying a specific cold temp?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,295
Likes: 4
From: Downers Grove IL
St. Jude Donor '15
Originally Posted by vettesrm
Well being we're in the hot Dallas heat..it never gets below 75 or so..
So are you saying 30 psi first thing in the morning before you drive or are you saying a specific cold temp?
So are you saying 30 psi first thing in the morning before you drive or are you saying a specific cold temp?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,295
Likes: 4
From: Downers Grove IL
St. Jude Donor '15
Your pressures will rise as the temperature inside the wheel rises. It's been 90 plus for a good chunk of the summer here, and the pressures rise only a couple of pounds per tire when I'm driving. Go with 30 psi per GM recommendations and you'll be fine. Besides, if you fill up to 45 PSI, your car will ride like it's on balloons.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 2
From: McKinney TX
You go 30 psi here, and you'll end up with center wearing quicker. I'd go 28 psi, that will heat them up to 32 or so warm. Run a chalk line or check often for uneven wear and adjust accordingly.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by vettesrm
Shouldn't I take into account high heat temperatures here in Dallas?
Tire pressure rises when driving, but only a certain amount. If you set the tires at 30psi, after driving they should be up around 35-36psi. Whether you start in 20 degree temps or 90 degree temps doesn't matter, the temperature rise of the tire will remain about the same.
If you have a sudden drop in temps....say it's 50 tomorrow, then you may need to add air to the tires, as the drop in ambient temp will lower the tire pressure.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Originally Posted by BAD_TCR
You go 30 psi here, and you'll end up with center wearing quicker. I'd go 28 psi, that will heat them up to 32 or so warm. Run a chalk line or check often for uneven wear and adjust accordingly.
28 is good for our Summer heat. You can go to 30 in the Fall.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
28 summer, 30 winter. I believe that the tire temperature will rise about one pound for every 10 degree temperature increase outside, besides the normal driving increase. So I figure that during the summer, normal driving will bring the tire pressure up to about 30 lbs and if it's a warm day, maybe increase it another couple pounds, so it ends up around 32 lbs overall.
I'm on my third set of tires and have never had uneven tire wear.
I'm on my third set of tires and have never had uneven tire wear.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 0
From: I'm not quite middle aged and I only own one gold chain! San Jose CA
GM recommends 30 psi for the Vette. The sticker, mounted on the drivers door I think, states this. Some guys vary their pressure based on personal preference, but 30 is the manufacturers recommendation.
I have varied my pressure by two or three psi, just to experiment with ride quality, fuel mileage, etc. BTW...don't listen to the guys who tell you that 30 is too soft and make sure that you tell your mechanic or service writer that you want your pressure set at 30 psi. Some mechanics have their favorite psi and will usually set every car at that pressure. I had one mechanic who did great work and was very careful with my car, but always insists on 35 psi for every car for some reason.
I have varied my pressure by two or three psi, just to experiment with ride quality, fuel mileage, etc. BTW...don't listen to the guys who tell you that 30 is too soft and make sure that you tell your mechanic or service writer that you want your pressure set at 30 psi. Some mechanics have their favorite psi and will usually set every car at that pressure. I had one mechanic who did great work and was very careful with my car, but always insists on 35 psi for every car for some reason.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,549
Likes: 0
From: MDT
wow. this is a fairly simple topic that generates a diversity of opinions and questions 
. the o.m. is crystal clear & does not differentiate between any season. the correct # is 30 p.s.i. cold. bub
. the o.m. is crystal clear & does not differentiate between any season. the correct # is 30 p.s.i. cold. bub
so so sad