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Old 08-21-2013, 06:45 PM   #79 (permalink)
wdb
lurker's apprentice
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: the Perimeter
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PlainJane - '12 Toyota Tacoma Base 4WD Access Cab
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ACEV View Post
Or there is the other possibility that the tire and auto manufacturers are involved in a conspiracy to:
A. Use more fuel,
B. Reduce their individual and collective liability,
C. Confuse the buyer,
D. Sell more cars,
E. Sell more tires,
F. Sell more repair parts,
G. Make money on repair labor,
H. Or all of the above.
You forgot at least one:

I. Substitute tire sidewall for suspension complexity/cost in an effort to improve ride quality. See the early Ford Explorer, and bucketloads of other SUVs, for evidence.

Manufacturer recommended tire sizes and pressures have only the barest amount of connection to technical needs necessary to ensure reasonably safe operation (or sometimes less - again see early Ford Explorer). After that it's all about handling characteristics, ride quality, NVH, and, in no small part, fashion.

Door sticker, shmoor shticker. I'm going to stick with my own well considered and long used criteria for tire pressures, thankyouverymuch.

Last edited by wdb; 08-22-2013 at 07:21 AM..
 
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