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Low Profile Tires: What PSI?

amdhunter

amdhunter

Lifer
Just wondering, I checked my tires today cuz they looked low, and checked them out to have ~24PSI. I once heard they should be at 50???

Can someone please clarify? I blow a lot of tires and hear a lotta different stuff... I wonder if the tires are too soft???
 
Meh, what kind of car do you have? I usually inflate everything at my job (discount tire) to 35 unless its a heavier vehicle.
 
Originally posted by: mesthead21
Meh, what kind of car do you have? I usually inflate everything at my job (discount tire) to 35 unless its a heavier vehicle.
Click to expand...

Piece of shot 1996 Mitsubishi Galant. 🙁
 
the higher PSI you have them the faster vMAX will be without going over their safety limit. The lower PSI you have them the easier they will tear themselves apart at high speeds (due to excess heat) but will offer a smoother ride.

depends on what kind of driving you do.
 
Originally posted by: Cattlegod
the higher PSI you have them the faster vMAX will be without going over their safety limit. The lower PSI you have them the easier they will tear themselves apart at high speeds (due to excess heat) but will offer a smoother ride.

depends on what kind of driving you do.
Click to expand...

I just want the tires to survive a pothole or two. It seems every pothole I hit is enough to blow them up. I am going through at least 1 tire every 3 weeks or so. Certainly low profile tires shouldn't blow up so easily?
 
Originally posted by: randomlinh
the freakin tire will say MAX psi... BAD IDEA.

read the freakin door jab... or your manual... or google it.
Click to expand...

So that PSI rating is good for any type of tire I install?
 
Originally posted by: amdhunter
Originally posted by: randomlinh
the freakin tire will say MAX psi... BAD IDEA.

read the freakin door jab... or your manual... or google it.
Click to expand...

So that PSI rating is good for any type of tire I install?
Click to expand...

You know, that's a good point, I didn't notice at first that they're low profile tires. But if they're the same width, I don't think it'd matter... I mean, if the car's weight is the same and the amount of rubber in contact with the road is the same, then the same PSI would be required.
 
Originally posted by: amdhunter
Originally posted by: randomlinh
the freakin tire will say MAX psi... BAD IDEA.

read the freakin door jab... or your manual... or google it.
Click to expand...

So that PSI rating is good for any type of tire I install?
Click to expand...

<I have no clue what your statement says.> re-read it, makes sense now.

But if you're blowing tires a lot, something's VERY VERY VERY VERY wrong. Don't use the number on the side of the tire. Check with the guys that sold you your tire or a guy at the dealer if you can't figure it out. Your non-stock tire dimensions will change your pressure requirements (i think).

note: maxPSI on my tire (from tire) is about 50 PSI. inflation PSI (according to what's posted in my car) is 29 PSI. I put it at 50 before I realized what I was supposed to do, and my car's back end was bouncing off the freeway while going around bends. moral of story: dangerous to overinflate.
 
Originally posted by: mugs
Originally posted by: amdhunter
Originally posted by: randomlinh
the freakin tire will say MAX psi... BAD IDEA.

read the freakin door jab... or your manual... or google it.
Click to expand...

So that PSI rating is good for any type of tire I install?
Click to expand...

You know, that's a good point, I didn't notice at first that they're low profile tires. But if they're the same width, I don't think it'd matter... I mean, if the car's weight is the same and the amount of rubber in contact with the road is the same, then the same PSI would be required.
Click to expand...

Thats the thing, every tire person I meet has a different opinion. One told me ~23PSI (but the tires are really soft at that PSI) and then another told me 50PSI (tires look nice and thick, but are rock hard and seem like they cant take a hit...)
 
Originally posted by: amdhunter
Originally posted by: mugs
Originally posted by: amdhunter
Originally posted by: randomlinh
the freakin tire will say MAX psi... BAD IDEA.

read the freakin door jab... or your manual... or google it.
Click to expand...

So that PSI rating is good for any type of tire I install?
Click to expand...

You know, that's a good point, I didn't notice at first that they're low profile tires. But if they're the same width, I don't think it'd matter... I mean, if the car's weight is the same and the amount of rubber in contact with the road is the same, then the same PSI would be required.
Click to expand...

Thats the thing, every tire person I meet has a different opinion. One told me ~23PSI (but the tires are really soft at that PSI) and then another told me 50PSI (tires look nice and thick, but are rock hard and seem like they cant take a hit...)
Click to expand...

Whoever is giving you the opinion to inflate your tires to 50PSI is an idiot. Read you owner's manual or doorjam for proper inflation pressures, regardless or tire size (the only exception to this is if you own a truck and are off-roading, then you want super-low pressures.) 50PSI or whatever the sidewall says is MAX PSI, as previously stated, and NOT GOOD for driving around on (harsh ride, more wear in center of tread, etc.)

I cannot overstate NOT inflating your tires to or over the MAX PSI. We had some numbnuts drop his car off at the shop I used to work at. We pulled it in to a bay work on it the next morning. Next thing I know KABOOM, one of his tires explodes. A fluke right? 5 minutes later, another explosion from the shop area, second tire explodes. We go out to check the remaining 2 tires, figuring something is going on, and find that this clown had put nearly 100PSI in each tire!





 
I keep my tires at a bit higher psi then the manual for my car suggests because I drive aggressively & don't mind giving up some ride comfort in exchange for stiffer sidewalls, but I never exceed maximum cold pressure for my tires which is 35 psi. Very low profile tires however, often do require 45-50 psi to resist blowing out on
large bumps & driveway entrances because the sidewalls have no room to flex & absorb shock.. as others have said make sure to look at your cars manual AND also look at the maximum cold pressure for your tires, then experiment with different pressures to find what works best for your driving style, just be sure you never exceed the maximum pressure for your tires & always check them before you drive more then 3-4 miles, or add 4lbs psi to the readings to avoid dangerous under-inflating.
 
Fill it to 30 PSI.

Drive HARD, corner HARD.

Pull over, jump out of car. IMMEDIATELY place your hands on the tire.

If the center of the tire is hotter than the edges, you're overinflated. Drop 2 PSI and do it again. If the edges are hotter than the center, you're underinflated. Raise 2 PSI and do it again.
 
Originally posted by: Apex
Fill it to 30 PSI.

Drive HARD, corner HARD.

Pull over, jump out of car. IMMEDIATELY place your hands on the tire.

If the center of the tire is hotter than the edges, you're overinflated. Drop 2 PSI and do it again. If the edges are hotter than the center, you're underinflated. Raise 2 PSI and do it again.
Click to expand...

apex, you're being too logical and truthful again.
😀

You're right though. I always use my hands to gauge tire pressure but balance that with the door. One should be able to feel under/over inflated tires but the hand on the tire never lies.


 
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