What tire pressure to run?
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Jun-06-2016 08:34 PM
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?
Brian & Evie LeRoy and our 4 kids.
2013 KZ Spree 329IK
2006 Ford F250 6.0L
2008 Ford E350 v10
2013 KZ Spree 329IK
2006 Ford F250 6.0L
2008 Ford E350 v10
18 REPLIES 18
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Jun-07-2016 03:11 AM
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.
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.
I'm done. This isn't a place to be helpful. It's a place where curmudgeons with a superiority complex will nit pick everything. If you want help, go elsewhere. Admin, delete my account please.
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Jun-06-2016 09:22 PM
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.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#
"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#
"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"
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Jun-06-2016 08:44 PM
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.
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Jun-06-2016 08:39 PM
I always run mine as stated on the side wall of the tire.
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