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Tire Pressure

Z

zzo2

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Mar 12, 2002
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15
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Cincinnati
Running an AV with the Z66 Handling Package has Goodyear Wrangler HPs P265/70R-17 and looking for comments regarding tire pressures on these 17" wheels. In order to get best mileage versus tire life versus handling does anyone have a recommendation. Tire range stamped in tire says max 44 psi.

Looking for feedback when driving with light loads mostly highway.

zzo2

???
 
The funny thing is the Max tire pressure for our tires is 44 psi like stated above....the manual recommends to keep the tires at about 30psi (cold) this seems a little to low for these tires....anyone care to comment? ???
 
NJAV said:
The funny thing is the Max tire pressure for our tires is 44 psi like stated above....the manual recommends to keep the tires at about 30psi (cold) this seems a little to low for these tires....anyone care to comment? ???
Click to expand...
Depends on your needs....

In my case, I'm a high-mileage family because we are in AZ and are FROM Texas. We take at least five 2,000 mile jaunts to Texas from Phoenix every year.

We like the higher mileage per gallon high inflation trick. We run these tires inflated to 44 PSI all the time. This gives us less rubber on the road, and thus less friction, and therefore better gas mileage.

Also wears the tires down slower, with less rubber on the road.

Disadvantages are traction of course - you lose it the more air in the tires.

I have ON ONE OCCASION, during a DRIVING rain storm, pulled over and reduced the air in the tires to around 32 just for that stretch of the trip.

But 99.9% of the time, I run at 44 PSI.
 
You might want to check this out:: Tire Rack Tech Info - my gut feel is that 30/35 would be about right for max 44 tires, unless you had a very heavy load or trailer. You don't want the tires to crown, else they will wear poorly. ;D
 
Thanks for the tip gandolphxx, last time I checked my pressure I bumped them up to 38psi (cold). I liked the way the truck felt at this inflation rate....

Better gas mileage like you stated also.... ;) ;D
 
After I got my Av last week, I drove straight to my good friend's Goodyear Tire store and upgraded from the HP to the SRA. According to my friend the tire is smoother running, which I appreciate very much.

He was adamant about his workers putting in 30 lbs psi.

Look on the inside of your door. Recommended tire pressure - 30 lbs. psi.

He says the tire is rated for 1/2 ton truck as well as 3/4 ton, a heavier vehicle and thus requiring more pressure.

Max pressure will cause a crown and excessive wear, not to mention a rougher ride!

Hope this helps! BTW - my SRAs are great! Smooth as silk!!
 
When Jiffy Lube did my oil change back in February they put 35 pounds in each tire...
 
My experience with JiffyLube is that the guy looks at the door label and behaves accordingly - I have to watch them like a hawk or the would put 80lbs in my rear tires - doah :rolleyes:
 
:rolleyes:Yeah, you gotta watch those guys..the best one's are the one's that come into the customer waiting area and ask you for advice.... ;D
 
I'm running 32 - 35 PSI - best compromise in tire wear, mileage and ride quality. 30 is a little too low.
 
Mine are usually between 35-38, they "look" about the best there, not squashed on the bottom, and not too hard..
 
At 38, watch that you don't wear the tires on the crown. I ran my Jimmy at 36 for quite a while and did notice increased wear in the center.
 
For those of you who are running wider tires on stock rims - be careful - it is easy to get them crowned and increase wear. :eek:
 
A little off topic, but . . .. . For those of you using Jiffy Lube, aren't you concerned about them scratching up and denting the fenders? I use JL for my older car and its plenty scratched up, even with putting fender pads on, while they work on it.
 
I stand right in front of it while they do the work - that way I can see the guy underneath and make sure he is cleaning up. They get used to it after a couple of times and even act nice about it. ;D
 
I vote for using the door label's recommended pressure, 30lb. This is a compromise figure weighing handling, ride comfort, gas mileage, etc. I will adjust upward 4lb for a fully loaded vehicle. The maximum pressure stamped on the tire is a safe upper limit for that tire design. The correct pressure is determined by load and the tire manufacturer has no idea what that will be.

I think that more tires are inflated improperly since the change from bias ply to radial tires occurred years ago. The radial tires allow much lower and higher air pressures before the problems becomes obvious.
 
One good way to get the right tire pressure for Your wheels, and tires..., especially if they are different than stock.., is to take a piece of chalk.., and run a line across the tires tread..., then drive the truck a short distance.., maybe 500 yards or so.., then get out, and look at the chalk mark., it should be worn Equally across.., if its worn in the center.., the tires are over Inflated.., if its worn on the Edges, and not in the center.., they are Under Inflated.., because Vehicle weight..., Wheel Width, and tire size can effect the tire contact patch..... Butch.
 
35psi for me....checked every fill up!
 
So after reading all your replies and thoughts I have decided to set the tires at 35 PSIG and since I have a new tread depth check tool I will look for signs of wear every 1000 miles both front and back along with any handling quirks. Thanks again for your feed back . . .

zzo2
 
I had an 89 K1500 extended cab with Goodyear ATs (MTs for Chevys). The first two sets of tires cupped badly on the outer edges at about 40 K miles with about 10K miles of tread left. I started running them about 5 PSI over the door ratings in hopes of reducing the cupping and it seemed to help. The vehicle had the heavy duty chassis package and I may have cornered harder than most people. Currently I am running the Av (Z71) at the recommended pressure but am keeping an eye on the front tires. I love the Goodyear ATSs. Good compromise of snow/mud versus dry and rain.
 
I agree....these tires have all around performance....I wll in the future probably go with the 275 AT/s...I would like a wider tire....I tend to keep my tires inflated at around 36-38, but I am keeping an eye on them for wear do to over-inflating.....

Great Tires!
 
So more notes, observations and comments.

1. So if I am crusing down the road at 70 mph does it not take the same energy to move the truck over the same distance regardless of the rear end gearing - thus why the difference in mpg: 4.10 or 3.73? I am assuming that the injection system will alter the fuel consumption . . .

2. I think that my Z66, 2wd, 5.3L with 4.10's is not telling me the truth regarding RPM, MPH and the Odometer. Looking to compare with others: As stated before when running at 2050 RPM the speedometer reports that I am going 70 mph. I feel that in reality I am really only going about 67 to 68 mph thus the Odometer will also be incorrect. This calculates to about 4.3% error or my warranty really runs out at 34,450 miles.

3. Recent good mileage was obtained by putting the tire pressure at 35 PSI. Little stiffer ride and better feel in the corners. To early to look for abnormal tire wear.

4. So I looked under the AV to see the the normal steel wheel spare and it is a 16" but low and behold it is a Firestone Wilderness AT - was this the tire that was recalled by Ford?? All regular running tires are Goodyear HP's - does anyone know if Cheverolet normally makes all 5 tires the same brand!!! Will eventually talk to the dealer by once the sale is made . . .you know the story!!

Later

zzo2
 
I increased tire pressure from 30 to 35 on my Z-66. I echo what ZZo2 said. It rides firmer, in a good way. Performance in corners is snappier. Much for fun to drive.
 
A few days ago the local police dept set up a radar speed sign so you can see how fast you are going. I was reading 35 on my speedo and the radar sign indicated 34.
 
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