Question on tire pressure
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill FL
Question on tire pressure
It's winter in Florida (don't laugh!) and I've noticed that even after a good while on the road at somewhat faster than highway speeds (just a leeeeetle bit 
) my tire pressure stays at about 31 or so and never getting higher than 32. From a cold start it starts out at 29 (evening temps high 40s, 50s) and used to be 30 when the ambient evening garage temps were warmer (low to mid 70s) A couple of months ago it would not have taken long to go from 30 PSI to 35-36 on the highway (and stay there for the duration of the trip.)
I also notice, of course, a drop in gas mileage...probably due to the increased "rubber on the road."
The car has 26,500 on the clock. The tires are original (yes, original) with about, I would guess based on tread left on them, another 10-15,000 miles to go before I have to change them. They all wear evenly and show no uneven spots.
So, my question is this: for the winter, should I bump up the pressure to say, 32-34 to optimize fuel efficiency and wear? I do not expect to make long road trips with it, drive it 2 or 3 times a week, and put maybe 500 miles a month on it.
I tried to anticipate some of your questions about usage, mileage, condition, etc. and look forward to your inputs.
) my tire pressure stays at about 31 or so and never getting higher than 32. From a cold start it starts out at 29 (evening temps high 40s, 50s) and used to be 30 when the ambient evening garage temps were warmer (low to mid 70s) A couple of months ago it would not have taken long to go from 30 PSI to 35-36 on the highway (and stay there for the duration of the trip.)I also notice, of course, a drop in gas mileage...probably due to the increased "rubber on the road."
The car has 26,500 on the clock. The tires are original (yes, original) with about, I would guess based on tread left on them, another 10-15,000 miles to go before I have to change them. They all wear evenly and show no uneven spots.
So, my question is this: for the winter, should I bump up the pressure to say, 32-34 to optimize fuel efficiency and wear? I do not expect to make long road trips with it, drive it 2 or 3 times a week, and put maybe 500 miles a month on it.
I tried to anticipate some of your questions about usage, mileage, condition, etc. and look forward to your inputs.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,070
Likes: 1,290
From: Central Ma
If you have 26k on them now, expect another 10-15, and show even wear across the board, we should be asking you for advice. Some people will tell you to drop the cold pressure in the warmer climates. I'd say just stick with 30 cold.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
tire pressure
Michelin told me to INCREASE the pressure in the Pilot Sport A/S ZPs by 5 lbs. Then check with a tire guage about once a month to make sure im getting even wear across the tread. Just put them on so so far no opinion on this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
michelin tires
I bought Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP s All season M + S and Zero Pressure runflats.
They are less harsh than the Goodyear EMTs I replaced. Haven't had em at 100 MPH yet but they are Y speed rated seem to ride a lot smoother (bumps don't feel so bad) Good wet traction and I'm in MD and we get SNOW. They are supposed to have some traction in snow.
The EMTs DON'T I know that by experiance. Had only 5000 miles on the EMTs and drove back in about 1/4 inch of snow on a flat smooth 6 lane highway at about 50 MPH. Car skidded like I was driving a toboggan. Almost lost it. And I'm familiar with snow and driving in blizzards. Got them at Discounttiredirect for a total cost of $1102 and NO shipping charges. Less than from Tirerack. Paid $90 at local Chevrolet dealer to road force balance them. Cheaper than at the recommended tire installers listed with DTD and TR. I think they are great tires. Time will tell.
BIGHANK
They are less harsh than the Goodyear EMTs I replaced. Haven't had em at 100 MPH yet but they are Y speed rated seem to ride a lot smoother (bumps don't feel so bad) Good wet traction and I'm in MD and we get SNOW. They are supposed to have some traction in snow.
The EMTs DON'T I know that by experiance. Had only 5000 miles on the EMTs and drove back in about 1/4 inch of snow on a flat smooth 6 lane highway at about 50 MPH. Car skidded like I was driving a toboggan. Almost lost it. And I'm familiar with snow and driving in blizzards. Got them at Discounttiredirect for a total cost of $1102 and NO shipping charges. Less than from Tirerack. Paid $90 at local Chevrolet dealer to road force balance them. Cheaper than at the recommended tire installers listed with DTD and TR. I think they are great tires. Time will tell.
BIGHANK
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill FL
WOW! Don't I feel stupid (smacks self upside head) for not paying attention where you already had given your tire info.
Anyway, thanks for the response. I am now going over reviews and comments at the Tire Rack site for various tires. Disturbing on some of them is the fact that while, at first, some of them are quiet, they get noisier and noisier as they wear down.
Being in Florida my choices might be a bit easier to make (no snow or ice.)
Thanks, again! At current usage rates, it might be two years before I need new tires. Maybe by then something else will be "the best."
Anyway, thanks for the response. I am now going over reviews and comments at the Tire Rack site for various tires. Disturbing on some of them is the fact that while, at first, some of them are quiet, they get noisier and noisier as they wear down.
Being in Florida my choices might be a bit easier to make (no snow or ice.)
Thanks, again! At current usage rates, it might be two years before I need new tires. Maybe by then something else will be "the best."
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale Florida
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Door sil says 30 PSI. I have never gotten more than 20K on a set of Goodyears.
Unlike others on this forum, I like the EMT's. 'had a high speed puncture a couple of years ago & these tires probably saved my life & no damage to the car. Drove 25 miles with zero air pressure without any tire shake or decrease in handling. Just my 2 cents.
Unlike others on this forum, I like the EMT's. 'had a high speed puncture a couple of years ago & these tires probably saved my life & no damage to the car. Drove 25 miles with zero air pressure without any tire shake or decrease in handling. Just my 2 cents.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
tires
If you get the Michelin Pilot Sports consider this. The run flats (ZP) have a built in Michelin road hazzard warranty that includes free replacement of the tire including mounting and balancing of the new tire if less than 2 years old and 50% or greater tread depth.
Go to the Michelin webside and download the ADF file. Its about 16 pages. On the phone Michelin told me about increasing tire pressure about 5#. This is not on the website. When you consider the ZP PS tires are only about $10 more than the PS Non-Run Flats its a zero brainer.
BIGHANK
Go to the Michelin webside and download the ADF file. Its about 16 pages. On the phone Michelin told me about increasing tire pressure about 5#. This is not on the website. When you consider the ZP PS tires are only about $10 more than the PS Non-Run Flats its a zero brainer.
BIGHANK
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