Tire pressure is important

Lee ODell

Under inflated tires cause excessive internal flexing of the cords inside the tire. The problem with tires will not be visible outside of the tire until it is to late. Customers bring cars into our shop for alignment and the tire pressure, in most cases, is to low. I find there are far to many cars with badly worn tires far before their time because of under inflation. There is far more damage to tires from under inflation than from over inflation. Most passenger car radial tires today are rated at 35 PSI or 44 PSI. There are a few tires rated at 51, 36 and other PSI'S. Some say max PSI and some say inflate to PSI rating. Some radial tires ride softer than other radial tires inflated to the same PSI. Most manufacturer tire recomendations are to provide a cushy ride, not for maximum tire wear and handling. Tires during the good old Hudson days were rated around 28 PSI and 32 PSI. Tire technology today requires higher PSI to maintain the improved handling, tire wear and better gas mileage they were designed to provide. For example, if new tires are installed, and they are rated at 44 PSI running at a much lower PSI say 28 PSI, expect premature replacement. The faster tires wear out the more dollars per mile they cost. So a tire running lower tire pressure will cost more than the same tire running at the higher pressure. I've seen 80,000 mile tires needing replacement in less than 25,000 miles from low inflation. Checking tire pressure about once a month can catch a low tire inflation problem. Have a good day. Lee

super651

Lee, Thanks so much for the Tech.help. We see the same thing on Under-Inflated Tires.

Rudy (we check every month)

Jon B

In these days of $1 air pumps at gas stations (and despite running like mad, I can never get all four Terraplane tires filled in time to avoid the extra dollar!) I wondered if there is a good old fashioned, simple hand-operated tire pump still being made, that one could stow in the trunk? (I'm fairly sure that 6-volt electric portable air pumps aren't a common item anymore.) A hand pump would make it easy to "top up" your tires whenever you needed to, without being near a gas station and then fumbling around for eight quarters.



So often, when you see what looks like a decent, honest piece of equipment nowadays in the store, it turns out to be a cheesy gizmo that breaks fiarly soon. I once had a foot-operated pump, for example, and the treadle bent after a few uses.

7XPacemaker

http://www.amazon.com/Carrand-Hand-Tire-Pump/dp/B0002JM8UO



Jon,



If you start pumping them up now, Maybe I'll see you at Doc's meet in May.......

Unknown

Jon B wrote:

In these days of $1 air pumps at gas stations (and despite running like mad, I can never get all four Terraplane tires filled in time to avoid the extra dollar!) I wondered if there is a good old fashioned, simple hand-operated tire pump still being made, that one could stow in the trunk? (I'm fairly sure that 6-volt electric portable air pumps aren't a common item anymore.) A hand pump would make it easy to "top up" your tires whenever you needed to, without being near a gas station and then fumbling around for eight quarters.



So often, when you see what looks like a decent, honest piece of equipment nowadays in the store, it turns out to be a cheesy gizmo that breaks fiarly soon. I once had a foot-operated pump, for example, and the treadle bent after a few uses.

Jon: Assuming it cost you $2.00 for each trip to get the tires aired, and the 30 day rule applies, you can buy this 120v pump and it will be free and clear in 2 years!







Of course you could calculate the wear and tear on the tires if you did not keep them aired and that would allow you to pay for the pump quicker.



As ACE advertises, they are the place- in this case to get a cheap aircompressor.

Huddy42

Not sure what your service staion guages are like, but, ours down under are way out, so it pays to take your own digital guage to check against the ones in the servo.I certainly don't trust the servo ones, just look at the way the public treat them, throw them on the ground, run over them in their cars. Are they ever checked for accuracy, I know cause I had a servo years ago.

Unknown

You could also go this route:



http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=41712

[Deleted User]

Jon, I'm not sure about Virginia, but out here in the wild west you can get a tire shop to top off your tires for free. (They hope you remember them when it comes time for new tires)

37 CTS

Most of the alligator treads along the road are underinflated tires that have heated up and exploded. At fuel stops put your hand on the tires and if there is a hot one, its time to ck the air pressure after letting them cool.

Car trailer tires should be checked very often , the leading tire will throw nails into the following tire.



Also note that radial tire have time limits and after 4 to 5 years they should be replaced regardless of condition. Any cracking on any tire is time for reitirement.



good to post the tire thing this spring when we get our cars out.

Unknown

is anyone using nitrogen instead of air?

ESSX28-1

Jimalberta wrote:

is anyone using nitrogen instead of air?

In the engine or in the tires??? :)

Unknown

this thread is about tires, yes nitrogen instead of air in the tires. Its supposed to help keep the tire pressure more even ( with temp fluctuations )and doesn't leak as readily as air.

[Deleted User]

Jimalberta wrote:

is anyone using nitrogen instead of air?

When I put new tires on my F*** work truck, the tire place put nitrogen in them free of charge. I haven't noticed anything extraordinary, but then again, the regular air we breathe is about 78% nitrogen.

[Deleted User]

Lee O'Dell wrote:

Under inflated tires cause excessive internal flexing of the cords inside the tire. The problem with tires will not be visible outside of the tire until it is to late. Customers bring cars into our shop for alignment and the tire pressure, in most cases, is to low. I find there are far to many cars with badly worn tires far before their time because of under inflation. There is far more damage to tires from under inflation than from over inflation. Most passenger car radial tires today are rated at 35 PSI or 44 PSI. There are a few tires rated at 51, 36 and other PSI'S. Some say max PSI and some say inflate to PSI rating. Some radial tires ride softer than other radial tires inflated to the same PSI. Most manufacturer tire recomendations are to provide a cushy ride, not for maximum tire wear and handling. Tires during the good old Hudson days were rated around 28 PSI and 32 PSI. Tire technology today requires higher PSI to maintain the improved handling, tire wear and better gas mileage they were designed to provide. For example, if new tires are installed, and they are rated at 44 PSI running at a much lower PSI say 28 PSI, expect premature replacement. The faster tires wear out the more dollars per mile they cost. So a tire running lower tire pressure will cost more than the same tire running at the higher pressure. I've seen 80,000 mile tires needing replacement in less than 25,000 miles from low inflation. Checking tire pressure about once a month can catch a low tire inflation problem. Have a good day. Lee

Walt here. Just a little more to add to your tip. Radial tires are coded for speed rating. P-max-93 MPH. Then S, Then T, then H, then V, and Z the highest. Hudson with 5 inch rims should use P215/75R15. If 5-1/2 inch rims P225/75R15. Now the good part, tires are rated for thread wear, look for the wear to be 400 or higher, for under that you are asking for trouble. Traction, you should look for at least an A. Stay away from the C rating. Temperature wear is A-B-C this is how good the tire handles heat, again stay away from the C rating. In my tech tip book, volume 2 it has the complete story on radial tires. Those of you that ruin tires should look at the ratings the dealer sold you. The correct tire for your style of driving with the correct pressure will never have tire problems.