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Texas Jim -> RE: Tire's pressure ? (1/30/2008 10:15:28 AM)
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Aldo,
I usually keep my tires at 35 psi which is the max pressure on most of our size tires and is also listed on the placard on our driver side door.
When I had the Firehawks on my 'Vette, I would run 30 to 32 psi in them, unless I was going for a long trip on the highway, as those tires rode very hard, something I suppose should be expected from some performance tires. The lower pressure didn't cause any premature or abnormal wear, but I got just alittle smoother ride. With the "Good Year Integritys" I have now, a middle of the road touring tire that performs just fine for the kind of driving I do, my 'Vette rides VERY smooth running them at 35 psi. and creates no new rattles in the process.
In the GM manual for my '81 'Vette, they mention that for driving at 75 to 85 mph you should increase the tire pressure by 4 psi if that 4 psi doesn't cause you to over-inflate the tire, max being 35 psi.. So it sounds like 31 psi. is OK according to the manual.
Personally, I like to beable to run my tires at max pressure as they're ready to be pushed to the limit and at which time I'll get the most out of them. Especially with the 'Vette, why not? If you have tires that ride alittle hard, I don't feel that it's bad to run them alittle soft as long as it's not to the point where you'll get abnormal or premature wear, which from underinflation would be excessive wear at the outer edges of the tire. (Over inflation would cause excessive wear in the center of the tire. Although for you "foot-stompin' 'Vette owners, the excessive wear in the center of your tires, only on the rear, is from opening the secondaries every time you take off from a dead stop. LOL)
I called "Shine Brothers" today which is a local Good Year dealer who does good front end work. I've gotten afew alignments there and (I watched the guy and the car drove perfectly afterward) they did a good job. The guy told me that 31 or 32 psi. wouldn't hurt that Eagle plus4 you have, Aldo, and that 35 was the appropriate max psi. for it.
One thing that is very important is to make darn sure that you have a good quality gauge and that it's "ACCURATE." I have afew gauges and even acouple of the good ones vary a pound or two in either direction. A friend of mine who used to have a Matco Tool business checks my torque wrench and my best tire gauge for me every now and then and I keep them both in a padded metal box. I've seen tire gauges that are four to six pounds off right off the shelf. The kind at the check out counter in a big bucket at your local ie; Auto Zone are like "pot luck." You can get a good one or one that's way off.
I've also been told by more than one reputable tire person that using that tire shine or tire dressing will dry your tires out prematurely. Supposedly, it's not harmful if you use it in moderation, like anything else.
As I said in another post, I also found the selection of lettered tires for our 'Vettes is going away due to all the bigger rims and low profile tires that are made now days. If we want to stay with our stock size rims, we'll just have to settle for what's available.
I hope I helped you alittle, Aldo. I know that you and DeeVee will be taking your new treads to the limit. Just becareful and keep you 'Vettes "rece-worthy" in the process.
***If anyone knows anything else about the tire pressures for that Good Year plus4 or anything that conflicts with what I was told by the local Good Year dealer here, please post it so we all "get it right."
DeeVee, Nice job on the rims. I like the black as it blends in with the car and with the exception of the white letters on the tires, the car has a really cool plain look, which I like in a car.
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