Dumb Question - Tire Pressure

[Pattington22]

Hey all,

I have heard differing opinions with respect to tire pressure. Some argue that PSI should be adjusted according to the specs on the tire while others claim it should be adjusted to the specs on the inside of the versa door jam. My question is: which one is it?

For context, I run the stock Contis in the summer (although I have not yet put them on since I bought the car in December), and Pirelli winters in the winter (they were the one's the dealer put on the car). The PSI listed on the tire differs from the one on the specifications on the foor jam.

Thanks folks.

-Patrick

[matt_a]

That's not a dumb question. It gets asked all the time on many different car forums. I prefer to run closer to the "Max" listed on the sidewall. The pressures listed on the door jamb are a little soft for my tastes.

[Red Devil]

Hey all,

I have heard differing opinions with respect to tire pressure. Some argue that PSI should be adjusted according to the specs on the tire while others claim it should be adjusted to the specs on the inside of the versa door jam. My question is: which one is it?

For context, I run the stock Contis in the summer (although I have not yet put them on since I bought the car in December), and Pirelli winters in the winter (they were the one's the dealer put on the car). The PSI listed on the tire differs from the one on the specifications on the foor jam.

Thanks folks.

-Patrick

I follow whats on the door jam. That's what Nissan says it should be run at so thats what I run it as.

[BlueMango]

I think the door recommendation is for the stock tires. When they differ I run with what the tires say. I'd hate to have my tires under/over inflated because of what the door says and risk some sort of tire damage or worse.

[fjwagner]

The PSI listed on the sidewall of the tire is the max cold pressure for the tire carrying the highest (weight) load the tire supports. One should go with the manufacturers recommendation as that is what the car has been tuned for. Always check the tire pressure cold in your driveway, remember the delta between the tire pressure as measured and the recommended. Then drive to the gas station and re-measure. Put in the delta you calculated before. That is the recommended practice. Fred

[matt_a]

I think the door recommendation is for the stock tires. ..

That's correct. The numbers on the door jamb are only for the tires that came on the car. And even with the stock tires, it's what Nissan recommends based on the desired handling characteristics. In other words, if they want you to to feel a softer ride, they will lower the number a few PSI. I prefer to get the max gas milage even if it means a slightly stiffer ride. You will not hurt a thing by setting the pressure at the Max listed on the tire sidewall. Most cars "recommend" a softer pressure than what the tires can handle. I have always run my tires at max on every vehicle we have owned for 28 years.

[Andrews Chalmers]

The PSI listed on the sidewall of the tire is the max cold pressure for the tire carrying the highest (weight) load the tire supports. One should go with the manufacturers recommendation as that is what the car has been tuned for. Always check the tire pressure cold in your driveway, remember the delta between the tire pressure as measured and the recommended. Then drive to the gas station and re-measure. Put in the delta you calculated before. That is the recommended practice. Fred

Or invest in a pump and pump it up to the desired psi at cold pressure.

[fjwagner]

Or invest in a pump and pump it up to the desired psi at cold pressure.

agreed, but not everyone has a air compressor nor wants to invest in one. Point I was making is to not drive to the station then fill up to the recommended level.
Modified by fjwagner at 8:27 PM 4/9/2009

[silverarrow27]

According to tires for me.