Over-inflating tires
 

Everybody here recommends increasing tire pressure beyond what the vehicle recommends, but I see many of you also increase the pressure beyond what the tire recommends. My Kumho's have a 44 psi max. 44 or 51 seems to be the industry norm. Is it safe to run 55, maybe 60 psi? Are the benefits above 44 psi worth going beyond the tires limit?

I believe in most cases that after 50 psi the returns drop off. I don't think many push it past 60 psi for testing. Something to keep in mind is that when driving the tire heats up and PSI increases an additional 3-4 #s. Tires can take some serious air beyond stock spec in my opinion. I worked at a garage in high school and remember a golf coming in with 3 tires in the upper 80's and 1 at 91.

I understand it that there is a diminishing return beyond 40psi (44max) tire pressure, so I just keep mine at 38 figuring the pressure goes up to 40ish when driving. I've read where the pressure rating is ultra conservative, meaning they can handle a lot more, but to me it isn't worth the worry. There is a big gain from 32 to 40, I'll take that and be happy. Plus, I figure if I get too much pressure, the ride quality will start to really go down.

It's just my opinion on it, certainly not gospel, and I'm not that passionate about it.

That is true.

I have run 40-45 in kuhmos on my Q45. 245/50/18s. 40 around town and 45 on my road trips to Texas from CA.
Helped the mpg.

54-50 psi

The center tread of over inflated tire wears faster.

This is received wisdom from the olden days, and is not relevant to radial tyres.

IMHO over inflation is just another chance people are willing to take with thier safety.
I have done it and have seen both good and bad side effects.
The bad far outweigh the good and can or should I say will result in tire failure eventually.
It may not be catastrophic failures when you hit a pot hole for instance, but when the bands and plys separate or break your tire is trash! if you fail to heed the bumpity bump sensation or pull in steering wheel it will eventually have a critical failure.
I dont care how lucky someone got who diddnt know how to properly maintain thier tires 10% above tires max is risk taking! I registered no real solid mpg gains over 45 psi with last set of new tires on rear of Undieing POS what I did manage was to break bands and generally waste $175.
These were cheapo douglass tires I admit but Ill not do it again to my goodyears its not worth the expense!

Somebody tested this. Mythbusters? Consumer reports? An EM member. The results were something like... the biggest gains were within the first 10 PSI over max sidewall. Ride gets rougher, but honestly... my car is a Civic not a Lexus.

I once had a long conversation about my car with a Bonneville racing team guy--uncle of a friend--who immediately guessed several of my mods, among them that I had bumped my tire pressure WAY up. It's a widely-known technique.

There are risks, so you consider them and accept the responsibility.

I have had my tires at 55-60 psi continually for over two years, across 30K miles, and through the heat of two and a half SoCal summers... no blowouts.