tire air pressure
I have had some tire problems in the past so I know a lot of the do's and don'ts. So I have this question which I probably know the answer but I will throw it out here anyway. The last 2 years we have...
Forum Discussion
As a automotive mechanic for 39 years, I can tell you that you cannot always trust the manufacturer. I will give you a very good example: The nineties Ford Explorer. Ford recommended 26 psi in the tires for no other reason than to give a softer ride. Firestone recommended 30 psi. This from John Lampe, Firestone VP, "The 26-pound level left little safety margin," Lampe said. Heat that can cause a failure builds up faster in a flatter tire carrying a heavy load in hot weather. (Ford said 26 psi is safe but recently accepted Firestone's recommendation and increased the suggested tire pressure to 30 psi.) When designing the Explorer the engineers recommended that the Explorer be a couple of inches wider for stability. The powers that be ignored that suggestion and also used tires that did not have the extra nylon cap.
Another example: For the last 16 years I have worked for a government fleet garage. A few years ago, a tire rep recommended 51 psi in the tires for police cars. Now the sidewall does list 51 psi as max pressure, but in real life it was bad advice. The complaints came in almost immediately from the officers, no traction. The pressure was lowered to 40psi and the problems went away. The point is, things are not always black and white.
Another example: For the last 16 years I have worked for a government fleet garage. A few years ago, a tire rep recommended 51 psi in the tires for police cars. Now the sidewall does list 51 psi as max pressure, but in real life it was bad advice. The complaints came in almost immediately from the officers, no traction. The pressure was lowered to 40psi and the problems went away. The point is, things are not always black and white.
