Scott H
Supporting Actor
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2000
- Messages
- 693
Bill, thanks for the reply. I'd point out that I'm not an expert, I have just paid a lot of attention to the topic for a long time, and some working opportunities provided more info. None of my comments were directed to you at all, and overall I agree with your general assessment.
I would add that in my experience I have never chosen to run the rear tires at a higher PSI that the fronts on rear wheel drive vehicles. In fact, the opposite was often the case. Usually I got a lot more bite and the ability to keep the rear traction under acceleration by giving the tire more 'flexibility/give', and it is still the front tires which endure the most sidewall stress in most cornering (I'm not talking track here). This is a little trickier with modern low profile tires with their very strong sidewalls, but still, in common front engine rear drive cars, I almost always settle on even or slightly higher front pressure. Take a rear drive car out in the rain and see how you can break the rear free easier and easier at higher pressure... Note that this take on things excludes a car like the 911, where the engine and transaxle are over the rear tires (when accelerating through a hard turn in a 911 don't dramatically let off the gas
).
I would agree that the best factor is how things feel to a driver intimately familiar with the car and tire wear. However, if you have any doubts or concerns I would suggest going with the auto manufacturers recommendation and increasing by 2 PSI all around for extended highway driving.
Also, I do run different pressures at different times, earlier I noted my best general pressure findings for the Coupe. As I just eluded to, a little softer is usually better for city driving and rough roads, and higher pressures for interstate travels and higher speeds. It is also my experience that sunlight on the tire increases the PSI more than driving does on most commuter passenger car tires. And remember, all tires lose pressure naturally and in a matter weeks, and try to find a gas station that bleeds the water from their compressors so your not putting all that moisture in your tires
I guess my main point was don't go inflate your tires to their maximum because you read it on a board, and I know most wouldn't, but...
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My DVD Library
Runaway production? No thanks. Where I've filmed, benefiting local economies: AL, CA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, NV, OH, OR, TX, WA, WY.
[Edited last by Scott H on October 26, 2001 at 01:02 PM]
I would add that in my experience I have never chosen to run the rear tires at a higher PSI that the fronts on rear wheel drive vehicles. In fact, the opposite was often the case. Usually I got a lot more bite and the ability to keep the rear traction under acceleration by giving the tire more 'flexibility/give', and it is still the front tires which endure the most sidewall stress in most cornering (I'm not talking track here). This is a little trickier with modern low profile tires with their very strong sidewalls, but still, in common front engine rear drive cars, I almost always settle on even or slightly higher front pressure. Take a rear drive car out in the rain and see how you can break the rear free easier and easier at higher pressure... Note that this take on things excludes a car like the 911, where the engine and transaxle are over the rear tires (when accelerating through a hard turn in a 911 don't dramatically let off the gas
I would agree that the best factor is how things feel to a driver intimately familiar with the car and tire wear. However, if you have any doubts or concerns I would suggest going with the auto manufacturers recommendation and increasing by 2 PSI all around for extended highway driving.
Also, I do run different pressures at different times, earlier I noted my best general pressure findings for the Coupe. As I just eluded to, a little softer is usually better for city driving and rough roads, and higher pressures for interstate travels and higher speeds. It is also my experience that sunlight on the tire increases the PSI more than driving does on most commuter passenger car tires. And remember, all tires lose pressure naturally and in a matter weeks, and try to find a gas station that bleeds the water from their compressors so your not putting all that moisture in your tires
I guess my main point was don't go inflate your tires to their maximum because you read it on a board, and I know most wouldn't, but...
------------------
My DVD Library
Runaway production? No thanks. Where I've filmed, benefiting local economies: AL, CA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, NV, OH, OR, TX, WA, WY.
[Edited last by Scott H on October 26, 2001 at 01:02 PM]