Tire pressure

[Rodney Bullock]

I was looking at my white walls today and just for the heck of it I pulled out my tire pressure gauge and checked my tire pressure, it was 33 pounds of air, what should it be? The tire doesen't look flat or anything however I was watching tv and they said we should watch the pressure to save gas. I have the lester white walls 16- 650 what should my pressure be? thanks in advance

[B-Watson]

I was looking at my white walls today and just for the heck of it I pulled out my tire pressure gauge and checked my tire pressure, it was 33 pounds of air, what should it be? The tire doesen't look flat or anything however I was watching tv and they said we should watch the pressure to save gas. I have the lester white walls 16- 650 what should my pressure be? thanks in advance

An old spec book I have says 28 pounds front and rear. But I think you will find 32 or 33 will give you a firmer ride and better control. Back then manufacturers gave tire pressures geared for a nice, smooth ride. The higher pressure will slightly improve your gas mileage as it reduces rolling resistance.

In any case, watch the tire wear on the tread. If it shows more wear on the outer treads than on the inner, the tire pressure too low. The other way around shows tire pressure is too high.

Bill

Vancouver, BC

[Plymouthy Adams]

I just read this info on my glove box tag last night on the 54 Plymouth..bias ply..said tire pressure for these should be 24 cold, 27 short trips and 29 if long distance driving..BUT..this is normal pressure built up in the tire after filing cold to 24

[builtfercomfort]

And all the old tire pressures mentioned are for 1940s-1950s tires. Radials are different, and perhaps even modern bias-ply tires are different. So look at the tire's recommendations too.

And each car may be different - I had a car (65 Pontiac) that liked about 2 pounds higher pressure on the drivers side, it would make it track straight.

[greg g]

Their should be a manufacturer's recommended maximum inflation pressure on the sidewall with the other DOT mandated stuff. I have been running all my modern stuff 2 lbs less that that for years. Haven't run into any wear issues that are significant. The car looses the designers boulevard ride but I like it better that way. I ran 33 in my radials last year when we made out rip down to Charlotte. Kept them there for the rest of the season.

So check the sidewall and then adjust to your liking. I beleive the max recommended pressure is probably conservative because the builders want to give theemselves some leeway also. There is also a manufacturers wight rating (load capacty) Your car (remember divided by 4) is probably much lighter so there is some wiggle room there also as max inflation is in the equation with weight carried.

[Don Coatney]

The higher the pressure the easier it is to turn the steering wheel when the car is not moving or moving slowly. For me with my radials that is a big consideration. I run my radials with 34-35 pounds of pressure. I have no tire tread wear issues in 14,000+ miles of driving.

[Niel Hoback]

205R-70 15's at 33 psi. all around. Excellent ride, no wear.

[FMSPEED49]

Not to hijack the thread, but have you ever noticed how 5 different tire gauges will give you 5 different reading? and quite a range. This should be regulated. sorry, no clue what the pressure should be, but most times it is written somwhere on the tire.

[Captain Neon]

I always check the "max. press." showing on the tyre sidewall usu. close to the wheel rim. Whatever that says, that is where my pressure is. Recommended tyre pressure is based on the factory tyres the car came equipped with. None of my cars have the original tyres so I use the tyre manufacturer's recommended pressure. In other words, look at the bloody sidewall. I have no clue what your particular tyre specs are.