Rember the Tire Pressure
 

I had my tires still pumped up from winter and it hit 90 degrees today. My tires were supposed to be at 37psi (Back) and 30psi (front). With the heat and spirited driving, I ended up at 45(back) and 35 (front). Winterizing is important...REMEMBER TO DE-WINTERIZE.

Tire pressures are only supposed to be adjusted when cold, unless you're at the track making dynamic adjustments

Hi,

This is all very confusing. To winterize the Car and prevent Flat-Spotting the Tires, you are supposed to inflate them to 56PSI. Agreed that you need to let sufficient Air out in Spring to reach normal Driving Pressures, but I don't understand how you ended up in the 40's with your pressure unless you didn't fully inflate them, or you have some leaks to account for...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

My car is a daily driver...even in the winter. We do not get snow here...The only point I was trying to make was to keep my tires at 37 psi for the cold temps I had to put more air in and I forgot to take it out as the weather warmed up. Thats it....

Pressure will go up when you heat up the tires from driving. You're only supposed to check and adjust your tire pressure to the factory specs when the car hasn't been used so that the air temperature is the same as ambient.

I'm de-winterizing today. I had the tires at 56 for the winter. What should I deflate them to? The book says to look at the tires; but the tires just state "do not exceed 51"

The inflate chart should be on the side of the drivers door. You correspond your tire type/size/rating with the PSI. Very easy.

Well...not that easy for a rookie, I guess.
It states GAWR Front/Rear 1709/2072 lbs.
How do I translate that?

Maybe it is different on your car...but if you look inside where the door connects to the car when you close it...there should be a little chart there lists the type of tires and pressures. If you can't find it, send me your tire data and I will look it up on mine.

I've looked everywhere...doors, hoods etc. and there isn't a chart like you mention. The stats on the car are: 2004 Box S and the tires are Michelin Pilot Sport Radial X 265/35 ZR 18.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

According to my chart...37 psi on the rear and 32 psi on the front. You can also call tirerack.com and they will give you the tire pressure also. Hope this helps.

Hi,

The new DOT Mandated inflation figures are for a fully loaded vehicle - the Legacy of the Firestone/Ford Explorer Rollovers. As such, these are most likely not good for you if you don't have the Fuel Tank Full, both Trunks Full and ride with a Passeneger - ALL THE TIME!

With the low profile Tires, don't go below 34PSI or you could damage a Rim and don't go higher than say 39PSI. The Fronts should be equal to or lower than the Rears. Anywhere in-between these guidlines will be fine. I use 35PSI Front and 37PSI Rear - Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Good to know on the fronts...the chart on my car recommends 30 psi for the tires I'm running (fully loaded). Do you still think I will sustain rim damage?

My '03 S chart says 29 front 36 rear for all sizes. I'm running 32/36 with 18's and find it handles and rides very well. I bump the fronts 4 lbs and the rear 2 lbs for autocross. I haven't done a DE in this car so I don't know what I'll set them at but I'll use my 17's for the track anyway.

My '02 has a manual/handbook that says 29 front, 34 in the rear, regardless of the mfr. I've been using that as a guide with no problem and a smooth ride for the daily drive. BTW, I have a set of Michelin Pilots. Hope this helps.

Hi,

It all depends upon the condition of your roads. Up here, PotHoles are a way of life until July so I run them a little higher - better safe than sorry, especially since it's a $300+ mistake if you're wrong...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99