Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval RFT Tire Pressure
#21
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
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St. Jude Donor '13
actually, cold pressure is the most important. The tire manufactures design the tire to function over a spectrum of heat increase, which, comes from the flexing of the tire components, not the temp of the roadway or ambient.
If a tire is properly inflated to the O.E. requirement for a specific load, it will only gain approx. 4 psi when its hot.
You always check the tire pressure cold. The one thing about TPMS that is good, is the fact that if you have your tires properly inflated to 30psi cold.. and you notice after driving for a period of time that one tire is, say, at 38 psi and the rest are at 34 psi... then thats telling you that the tire is having some internal problems, like belt shift, sidewall breakdown, etc.... because its over-flexing.. generating more heat, which can lead to sudden air loss (blow out).
If a tire is properly inflated to the O.E. requirement for a specific load, it will only gain approx. 4 psi when its hot.
You always check the tire pressure cold. The one thing about TPMS that is good, is the fact that if you have your tires properly inflated to 30psi cold.. and you notice after driving for a period of time that one tire is, say, at 38 psi and the rest are at 34 psi... then thats telling you that the tire is having some internal problems, like belt shift, sidewall breakdown, etc.... because its over-flexing.. generating more heat, which can lead to sudden air loss (blow out).
#22
Melting Slicks
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actually, cold pressure is the most important. The tire manufactures design the tire to function over a spectrum of heat increase, which, comes from the flexing of the tire components, not the temp of the roadway or ambient.
If a tire is properly inflated to the O.E. requirement for a specific load, it will only gain approx. 4 psi when its hot.
You always check the tire pressure cold. The one thing about TPMS that is good, is the fact that if you have your tires properly inflated to 30psi cold.. and you notice after driving for a period of time that one tire is, say, at 38 psi and the rest are at 34 psi... then thats telling you that the tire is having some internal problems, like belt shift, sidewall breakdown, etc.... because its over-flexing.. generating more heat, which can lead to sudden air loss (blow out).
If a tire is properly inflated to the O.E. requirement for a specific load, it will only gain approx. 4 psi when its hot.
You always check the tire pressure cold. The one thing about TPMS that is good, is the fact that if you have your tires properly inflated to 30psi cold.. and you notice after driving for a period of time that one tire is, say, at 38 psi and the rest are at 34 psi... then thats telling you that the tire is having some internal problems, like belt shift, sidewall breakdown, etc.... because its over-flexing.. generating more heat, which can lead to sudden air loss (blow out).
This morning, I had to make a 30 mile trip. Road temp was 80F. Tires gained 2psi from cold. On the return trip, at 12:30, tires gained 2psi more from cold. Road temp was 110F.
The pavement temp DOES seem to make a difference- but so does sitting in the sun.
How much temp rise do those of you in cooler climates see?
I still think hot pressure is important- that is where the tire spends most of it's time in use. But 2 psi difference hot may not make that much difference if it's within the normal operating range.
#24
Intermediate
Firestones are Same Pressure as GoodYears
30 LBS Cold as per Firestone Corporate. These tires have the same load specs as the Good Years, so 30 LBS..... I had 38 pounds put in my new ones yesterday, WRONG.....
#26
Le Mans Master
Post 24 has some facts from Firestone to consider...30 30.
You could call Firestone and confirm.
FWIW from cold, after the tires are fully warmed the pressure should increase by about 10%. That's the historic rule of thumb I have always abided by.
Next, since the inner outer edges of the front wears quicker than the center, boosting the front's pressure can be desirable for longer life.
On my 2nd set of Firestones, Z51, I run 33 ft 27 re which gives me even wear.
The 10% cold to hot increase with a little lighter steering and better rear traction.
What works for me may not work for you.
Have fun.
You could call Firestone and confirm.
FWIW from cold, after the tires are fully warmed the pressure should increase by about 10%. That's the historic rule of thumb I have always abided by.
Next, since the inner outer edges of the front wears quicker than the center, boosting the front's pressure can be desirable for longer life.
On my 2nd set of Firestones, Z51, I run 33 ft 27 re which gives me even wear.
The 10% cold to hot increase with a little lighter steering and better rear traction.
What works for me may not work for you.
Have fun.
#28
Intermediate
I'll try the 33 Cold Fronts and do 30 for rear. First thing I'll do tomorrow morning is reduce the pressure on all tires. Thanks for the advice.
They say us Corvette drivers are "Spirited", we just like speed and handling. 30 miles Highway is a bonus.
They say us Corvette drivers are "Spirited", we just like speed and handling. 30 miles Highway is a bonus.
Last edited by erj3erj3; 05-01-2017 at 03:01 PM.
#29
Safety Car
Wolf dogs may not remember but in 2008-09 when tire pressures were discussed, he said to run 30 psi rear but 32 psi front. He has a great deal of tire experience so I followed his recommendation and have so since. Excellent tire wear as a result. Thanks WD.
#31
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Oct 2005
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I have 17,702 miles on my Firestones, run them at 31psi and they still
look new.
look new.