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What PSI should my tires be? When Hot/Cold?
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Re: At What PSI?
I would keep them between 33 and 35 coldShawn<br />2002 Silver W68 Firebird -
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Re: At What PSI?
It will vary though.
A tire on an 18 inch wheel will not need as much pressure as a tire on a 16 inch rim (assuming the same height)Shawn<br />2002 Silver W68 FirebirdComment
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Re: At What PSI?
This seems intuitive, but it's not necessarily true. The correct tire pressure has the load spread evenly across the width of the tire. Manufacturers carefully study and experiment to see what pressure does that. It's not easy. If you put on a very non-standard size, it's not obvious where to set tire pressure to get the even loading, one of the major disdvantages of doing that.Originally posted by FloydSummerOf68
Over time you can tell if your tires are underinflated (edges wear more than center.) or overinflated (center wears more than edges). But, when you first put on the tires there's simply no easy way to tell what to do. From the car guys:
"Ray: But if you go way off the ranch and replace a 195/75 tire with a 235/50 tire, for example, then you're on your own. Not only will extra-wide tires put additional pressure on your bearings and steering components, but the correct pressure is now a matter of guesswork."
Generally speaking an underinflated tire is more dangerous than an overinflated one, so reducing the tire pressure with a wider tire may not be the right thing to do. If you use something close to a stock GM size (215/60, 235/55, 245/50) find an fbody with the right size and check the door sticker. Mine (235/55) says 30. The owners manual says you can go up as high as 38 for high speed and heavy loads, presumably at the cost of worse ride, slightly less traction, and wearing out the center of the tire.
Check your door sticker for GMs recommended tire pressure. If you have the stock size, that's the best recommendation to follow.2000 Firebird convert, chameleon/tan, M5, Y87, TCS, BMR tower brace and panhard, KBDD sfcs, 245/50-16 GSCsComment
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