Tire pressures

[Kurz]

I am in discussion with others on forums and in real life using increased tire pressures.
I am trying to find sources instead of my own experience with increased pressures.

Note looking for any recommendation from just a few PSI above Placard, to Pressures beyond Max Sidewall.

Its so hard finding information and experiments.
So anything stating the safety of increased tire pressures ie Traction, and increased tire tread life.

Thanks in advance guys.
*Long time Lurker*

[NiHaoMike]

Read the numbers on the tires and use them.

[Christ]

Kurz - Welcome

You'll find lots of opinions on this topic, but very little actual evidence, beyond what manufacturers say/write, and what "tire engineers" will tell you. You'll find information which tells you that tires will experience a blow out if you run them over the max sidewall pressure, and you'll find other information that you'll experience increased tread life and lower rolling resistance by over inflating your tires. You'll find information that tire manufacturers intentionally under rate the max inflation pressure of their tires to prevent this or that, and you'll certainly find information to the contrary, or stating that the max pressure is just too high, regardless of what the pressure listed actually is.

If you're here looking for opinions, that's what you're in for - if you want facts and evidence, you'll most likely have to conduct your own testing, and see for yourself before making a decision. I'm afraid it would be VERY difficult to consider a decision based on others' opinions "informed" in this case.

In my own experience, I've run as much as 20 PSI above max inflation pressure listed on the sidewall. In all cases, I've gotten better mileage, and longer coasts, but haven't kept hard data on either, so I consider this "within range of error".

I tend to keep them high so I don't have to play with them as often - that way, I don't get a soft tire ever, because when I think about it, they've gone from 50 PSI down to maybe 44 PSI, so they're still either at the sidewall max or even still above it.

50 PSI seems to be the magic number for me, YMMV!

[Daox]

This is probably the best article to share with others. It was written by a police academy instructor and tells why running max sidewall is a good thing.

Driving Under Pressure (full article) - CleanMPG Forums

[Kurz]

Originally Posted by Daox

This is probably the best article to share with others. It was written by a police academy instructor and tells why running max sidewall is a good thing.

Driving Under Pressure (full article) - CleanMPG Forums

Btw why did the original site where that article was hosted take it down?

[tasdrouille]

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards;
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems;
Controls and Displays

When working on TPMS standards, the NHTSA decided not to have over-inflation monitored. This is what they said:

Originally Posted by NHTSA

we are not aware of vehicle safety data reporting over-inflated tires as a significant safety hazard. In addition, available information does not suggest that over-inflation has the same safety implications as under-inflation, which causes heat buildup in a tire, potentially leading to permanent tire damage and sudden failure.

If over-inflation is not a safety concern for people looking over the shoulder of the average Joe, it certainly is not a safety concern for me.

[robchalmers]

After having a tyre blow out at 70 when running fresh tyres@30psi - i'm conservative with my pressures, cos it was a bit of a brown knot tightner!!

I personally run 95% of max sidewall till i'm comfortable with the tyres then go to max of 50psi COMPLETELY PERSONAL CHOICE - NO DATA

[moorecomp]

No need to beat this horse any further. Go here and read a lot of posts regarding this:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ires-2582.html

And here is a thread where I recently posted my tread depth measurements:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ear-10265.html

[Kurz]

Thanks a lot guys.