Over-inflating tires - Page 4 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

PaleMelanesian · 08-06-2013, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksa8907

Trucks will wear thin at the center because trucks are inherently light over the rear axle. Just to add to the thread, I have 2 hankook and 2 cheap kelly tires and run them at the listed max of 44psi. I don't have irregular wear.

True, but most FWD cars are also light in the rear. His 97 Ranger is quoted at 60% front 40% rear weight. My Fit is 62/38.

justme1969 · 08-06-2013, 11:25 AM

Here in Mississippi it seems like were on par for record rainfall.
I will tell ya now that those worn centers would eventually put ya in a ditch!
It rained so hard here yesterday there was 1/4"+ covering the road for 80 % of my drive home.
I averaged 31 mph and at 5 car lengths and that speed or less could just make out the flashers of car b4.
I have 3/16" tread on back that just touches the wear indicators and felt car rear end break away 5 times. "not counting large puddles either"
If you run 1/8" or less centers on the front of your truck your asking for trouble.
Sell them on craigs list for $20 to someone else who doesnt care who they kill on the hiway and get new ones! mi2cntz.

niky · 08-07-2013, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

True, but most FWD cars are also light in the rear. His 97 Ranger is quoted at 60% front 40% rear weight. My Fit is 62/38.

The difference is the rears on the Fit aren't drive wheels, so they'll still see less wear.

IsaacCarlson · 08-07-2013, 01:12 AM

I have been running higher pressures in all of the family vehicles. My truck runs about 80 lbs and the cars/vans run 45-50. Mom noticed a few more mpg's when I bumped her pressures from 35 to 50. My mother in law noticed the same. The ride is more bumpy, but not too bad. The truck has the hardest ride, but that happens with a 9,000 lb capacity.

PaleMelanesian · 08-07-2013, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niky

The difference is the rears on the Fit aren't drive wheels, so they'll still see less wear.

What?!! You mean my Honda isn't rear wheel drive?

justme1969 · 08-07-2013, 12:52 PM

I cannot testify for your own vehicle results but effects basically flat line at some point so trial and error is key for sucess. I tested over 4+ months to get my base line effect. 41 front and 32-34 rear.
The gains after 41 front were so negligable that I couldnt tell from varieations in real world driving @ 50+ psi.
I did manage to destroy 2 cheap douglass tires in front end testing.
The rears after 30 psi results were impossible to quantify in reality.
I did note excessive center wear issue that could only be attributed to over 50 psi testing for a few months. My digital FOWLER calliper does not lie.
Non specific failure also seen was a sidewall blister but that could have come from cheapo douglass tires alone or could have been from a speed bump I have no way of knowing how long it was there or why due to inside rear location. "I just dont get under my car much."
I am sure you will see same results from lower pressures as I did, but yes the advantage is there if you dont cause tire issues, and the darned things are expensive now especially LRR tires. Any FE gains I made went out the window when compared to $245 tire replacement costs. And the bumpity bump pulling to the right side ride I delt with for 2 weeks before that.