Is It Bad To Run Tires At Max Pressure?

[PROJECTRB240SX]

I ALWAYS RUN MY CARS TIRES AT MAX PRESSURE..... IS THIS BAD FOR STREET USE?

I COME FROM A HISTORY OF FORMUAL FORDS AND MAZDAS IN WHICH WE RAN MAX PRESSURE TO MAXIMIZE GRIP ON OUR SOFT COMPOUND TIRES..... THIS HABIT HAS FOLLOWED ME INTO MY DAILY DRIVING AND I WAS WONDERING IF ITS BAD OR PERFORMANCE HAMPERING WITH STREET RUBBER?

[Nismo_Freak]

You are actually getting less grip... because the contact patch is cupping, this will cause you to just use the center of the tire.

I'd run about 32 - 36 PSI

[PROJECTRB240SX]

OK COOL. WHAT ABOUT ON 205/40/17'S?

I'LL ADJUST MY TIRE PRESSURE TODAY.

[Exar-Kun]

actually, to relaly determine the tire prssure you should use, take alook at my "tire pressure adjustment" section in my wheel/tire sticky.

For street use, I run 32f/35r psi in my pirelli's 225-45-17 and it works great, the tire itself is rated to 45psi.-chet

[IlIkEmYz]

as far as im concerned for street use having max tire pressure is fine. plus it give you better mpg. since gas price is so much

think of it this way more air= less sluggish tires

less air =more sluggish tires but more grip

more air also means less flates

I bmx and i inflate my tires up to 70psi to prevent flats andrim damage from all the impact that comes with air and jumping off obstacles

So i highly recommend max tire pressure.

but the choose is yours:ylsuper

[Dori Dori]

You'll also get faster tire wear on the inside of the tire...and we all know tires are just a tad more expensive than gas. ;0

[Q45tech]

In the lab, tires are tested at 30 AND 35 psi [an industry standard] to graph the performance curves. I have found it impossible to get 44 psi data much less 51 psi.

They do test at 44 psi but not for handling. The concensus is that the graphs are pretty linear at least up to 40 psi........40/35= 1.14 so a 14% increase in lateral stiffness could occur but the footprint shape change.

In wet before hydroplaning the adhesion is a direct function of inflation pressure because the molecular binding increases directly with inflation pressure..........so 40 psi would be better than 25 or even 30 psi..........more weight per square inch of tread on the road.

[PROJECTRB240SX]

SO SHOULD I OR SHOULDN'T I INFALTE THEM TO 44PSI?

[Dori Dori]

In the lab, tires are tested at 30 AND 35 psi [an industry standard] to graph the performance curves. I have found it impossible to get 44 psi data much less 51 psi.

They do test at 44 psi but not for handling. The concensus is that the graphs are pretty linear at least up to 40 psi........40/35= 1.14 so a 14% increase in lateral stiffness could occur but the footprint shape change.

Please elaborate what you mean when you say the footprint shape will change. In what way...by how much?

[Grant@tirerack]

Here's a good link that covers that on our website:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/....html

The only benefits I could think of for higher pressures than 35 would be slightly lower rolling resistance or better sidewall stability at higher sustained speeds.