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Posted by Bob & Holly Wilson on December 24, 2007, 3:09 pm
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> > What is the current thinking on this? (Mine's a 2001)
>
> I don't really buy this 'maximum pressure' guideline. Tires are part of
> the suspension of your car. By filling them up to a point where they
> can't compress any more, you're letting lots of harshness through to the
> bushings and springs. Less comfort - which you may be ok with - and more
> wear on the bushings. And less roadholding and longer braking distances.
>
> Mine came from the dealer with huge overpressure, and I let it off
> gradually till it became driveable in my eyes. I think I even save gas
> driving it that way, because cornering speeds are higher, so I don't
> have to brake as much ;-)
The studies I've followed, "Transportation Research Board Special Report
286, Tires and Passenger Vehicle Fuel Economy" indicates the more a tire
is inflated, the lower the hysterisys losses and deformation during
driving. This leads to crisper steering and handling.
Another report is DOT HS 809428 "Preliminary Findings of the Effect of
Tire Inflation Pressure on the Peak and Side Coefficients of Friction."
Although maximum cold pressure was not in their data, it gives a good
indication of what to avoid.
So far, I have had no problems running 51/49 on my Sumatomo T4s and have
gotten very good wear reports from the tire rotations. It looks like
I'll get all of the project miles and perhaps a few more.
Bob Wilson
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