What tire pressure to run?

[The_LeRoys]

I've always run my tire pressure at the max that is on the sidewalls of the tire, especially when towing. My tires are Michelin LTX MS2 tires, and have a max of 80psi. Should I be running them at the max? Or run them at the sticker on the side of the vehicle door? What difference will it make?

[IDoMyOwnStunts]

It depends. You can:

1. Inflate your tires to your manufacturer's recommended pressure as listed on the sticker on your door. This is the recommended pressure for maximum load, though, so it might not give the best ride or traction. But it should be perfectly acceptable to run them at the door sticker pressure while towing instead of at max sidewall.

2. Weigh your rig's axles separately. Divide each axle weight by 2. That's how much each tire should carry. Alternatively, find a place that lets you weigh all 4 tires separately. Go to the tire manufacturer's website and find the load inflation tables. Use that to find the appropriate inflation value for said weight. Inflate your tires to that pressure. This will give you the best ride and the recommended contact patch between the road and your tires. Be aware that you'll have to up the pressure if you add any cargo.

[rhagfo]

The LeRoys wrote:
I've always run my tire pressure at the max that is on the sidewalls of the tire, especially when towing. My tires are Michelin LTX MS2 tires, and have a max of 80psi. Should I be running them at the max? Or run them at the sticker on the side of the vehicle door? What difference will it make?

To give you the correct answer we need a bit more information.

What is the weight rating at 80psi, from the side wall?
What do you axles weigh towing and not towing?

Running "E" rated tires at max pressure without max load, is over inflating, this reduces traction for starting, wet conditions and braking.

My example the rears on my 2001 Ram 2500 are 265/75-16E's 3,415# capacity or 6,830# for the axle. My rear axle weighs in at 5,500# loaded, I run between 65 and 70 psi, no issues and great traction.
Empty I drop to between 45 and 50 psi.

[rtz549]

If the door sticker says 35 psi; you'd likely damage the sidewalls of those 80 psi tires. Just run them at 80 and have peace of mind knowing the pressure is not too low and they are not under inflated.

[nineoaks2004]

I always run mine as stated on the side wall of the tire.