Can a tire explode from Over-inflation?

[BurbMan]

DW took her car into the body shop this morning...again...rear ended in the rain while stopped at a light...drivers in this town are terrible, but I digress....

So she gets a min-van rental from one of the biggest car rental companies. Lunchtime, she says "the TPMS indicator is on, one of the tires is probably low, can you put some air in? I figure sure, easy enough. Pull it in the garage, and check the door jamb...36 psi called for at each corner. (Impressive 6100 lb GVWR too...)

So I grab the gauge and hit the LF...57psi :E 21 pounds over!! Must be a fluke, so I check the LR...55psi :E Then on to the RR...53psi :E Finally on to the RF which is at 19psi and has a nail in it...easy enough to get to, so I was able to plug it right on the car. All tires at 36 psi and the flat fixed.

Seriously, for the life of me I can't figure out why they overinflated the tires by 20 psi...no telling how long they have been like that either...is there a point where a tire could blow from being OVER inflated??

[deereone]

Very unlikely a good tire will explode from being over inflated. But they are most likely to blow off at the bead before the tire will give out. I have seen that happen. For as long as I can remember truck tires have been required to be in a steel cage when being inflated. Older truck tires that had the steel ring (name escapes me right now) killed many people while inflating them.

[majorgator]

I'm still trying to figure why you're plugging a rental vehicle tire...?? Sure, its simple enough, but this little word called "liability" comes to mind.

BTW, when I buy tires (from the major nationwide chain I use), I always get the road-hazard and tire replacement warranty because its so cheap. However, the warranty is very explicit, that you if plug any of the tires, the warranty is void. Not to say that I haven't done it, or wouldn't do it in a pinch, but...

[coolbreeze01]

Curious what tire plugger you use? I'm looking at a Stop&Go 1075.

[Stefonius]

I'm not an engineer or tire mechanic, but...

If I recall correctly, an overinflated tire that doesn't already have a defect (cut or broken cords in the sidewall, et cetera) wouldn't explode, but might come off of the rim. I think the maximum inflation pressure figure is to protect the bead.

Anyone?

[Francesca_Knowl]

What's the max stamped on the tires? Nine people out of ten will inflate to that number instead of to the one marked on the door panel. And unless actual inflation exceeds its labeled max psi the tire is not, technically speaking, overinflated.

[N-Trouble]

Can a balloon explode from over inflation?? Depends on how much but definitely will result in uneven tire wear.

One of my biggest pet peeves it seems like every time my truck is at the dealer or other service all they do is look at the door jam and fill my tires to max factory capacity. THe only problem is I am running much larger 305 tires (which is obvious by looking at the truck) that are rated for 65PSI max and not the factory 80PSI. Besides I don't run max PSI unless I'm towing. Doesn't anybody read the tire labels any more??? I mean your sitting right in front of the damn thing while your filling it with air...

[the_bear_II]

I've seen some of the new tires show 44 all the way up to 60 PSI as Maximum. Maybe the rental comapany went by the sidewall. I just had two Michelins put on my Toyota Avalon and they have a max of 44PSI on the sidewall

[BB_TX]

Probably someone with no gauge, or did not take the time to find it.

Yep, that looks about right.

[2oldman]

Going to see McCartney?

[BurbMan]

Yes, set them all to 36 and plugged the flat.

[DaveF-250SD]

Did you adjust them all to 36? Probably a previous renter overinflated them thinking the fuel mileage would improve.