Question For NON Run Flat Guys
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
There is no "proper operating temperature" for a tire. Tire temps rise a certain amount above ambient temps. They may see 120 degrees on an 80 degree day...they may only see 40 on a 10 degree day.
ALSO.....
Load a 50,000 GVW truck up to 58,000 lbs and then take it for a long freeway ride on a 100 deg day. Then you (my friend) will see unsafe tire temps and know that it is possible in both cases... (dont ask me how I know this stuff)
VR
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by Dave68
..........
BTW, the pressure listed on the sidewall is maximum pressure and should never be used as a pressure setting.
BTW, the pressure listed on the sidewall is maximum pressure and should never be used as a pressure setting.
Truer words were never spoken! 
It's still amazes me to see the number of people who mistakenly think that the max pressure listed on the sidewall of a tire has anything to do with the operating pressure they should use for their application. 
It doesn't! It is listed (as required by federal law) primarily to give a tire installer some insight as to how high they can inflate a tire while seating the bead. In other words, when mounting a tire, anything over what's listed and your on your own in regards to tire failure.As others have said, the "correct" tire pressure depends on the application (car,truck,etc), load, temperature, etc.
I use thirty (30) psi as my guideline and may make small adjustments from there based on the tire wear pattern over time. Going upwards a couple of pounds is not nearly as dangerous as going downwards, at least as far as normal daily driving is concerned. Simple neglect is the number one reason for shortened tire life and/or failure.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
well let me see
Originally Posted by shurite44
I think I would follow the advice on the tire sidewall, I believe any info printed on your doorjam is for your stock tires. If I am just running on the street I use recommended pressure on the tire, when I drag race I go with 38 front and 25 rear, I use these numbers so I do not have to listen to the low and high pressure warning go off.
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 shurite44
Although some tires only have max tire pressure stamped on outside of the tire, many tires have a recommended tire pressure range also stamped on the outside of the tire.
Optimum tire pressure is determined by mainly the car's weight, and it's intended usage. Size or brand is of little consequence, and doesn't change the optimum pressure for that car or use much.
The tire manufacturer has no idea if their product will end up on a 3,000llb roadracing Vette,, or a 5500lb SUV that hauls 8 people and tows trailers. Each application requires very different pressures.
It is best to follow the car mfr's recommendations for any tire you may put on it.
If you are using it for a specific use, ie: heavy loads, drag racing, etc you may wish to alter from those pressures to suit your needs....but for 90% of the people, the optimium pressure for normal use can be found on your door sticker, regardless of tire brand or size.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
well not quite
Here is why you really need to look at what tire you have when you think about tire pressure. If you change your tire sizes the car company really can not take that into effect when he puts placards on the car. I have 285/30/18s in the front, this makes my sidwall height almost a full inch less than the stock tire and about 30% less air cushion between my beloved rim and the pavement. For my rears 315/30/18s the dfference is a little less than the front but still significant. If I run on the same roads (logically I will be) as I did when I had my stock runflats ie. potholes ect. I need more air in the tire to provide protection for the rim. At the track no problems no potholes run the placard or less if you want. Now as far as sidewall information I agree many tires now do not have recommended ranges so you need to start with your placard, but that placard is for OEM size tires and probably more correctly stated OEM brand and size. So I think you really need to put more thought into tire pressure than just using the door placard.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
All I can say is my 275/30/19 and 285/30/20 Pirelli Pzero's have survived over 25k miles of street use and show even treadwear. They will easily hit 30k by the time I replace them. Not bad for a tire with a reputation of poor treadlife.
I run them at 28-30psi on the street. My wheels are perfectly round.
You can run the pressure higher if you wish. I prefer not to buy tires that often.
I run them at 28-30psi on the street. My wheels are perfectly round.
You can run the pressure higher if you wish. I prefer not to buy tires that often.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
good advice
Well with 30k I would say you have the experience to know what works best with those tires. I just may reduce my tire pressure since I am running a very similar tire, pirelli pzero corsa competitions. I was primarily concerned with the lower sidewall but if you did not have problems in 30k miles I may be overly concerned. Thanks for the advice.
PS I only have about 100 miles on mine so far
PS I only have about 100 miles on mine so far
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