Tire Pressure
Question:
Hello, When the outside temperature was ~ 60 deg F, I adjusted the tire pressure to 33 lbs before the car was driven that day. I wanted to make sure that I measured while the tires were ‘cold’ (the approx middle range for our Sienna minivan). Today, since we are going on a short trip, I measured the tire pressure and all four tires are at 28 lbs. It is very cold outside today. Should I raise it up to the 33 lbs or should I leave it alone since maybe the cold temperature has it somewhat lower? Please advise. Thank You. Best regards, RG
Response:
Adjust it to 33 psi. Temp will change based on outside air temp
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, > When the outside temperature was ~ 60 deg F, I adjusted the tire pressure to > 33 lbs before the car was driven that day. I wanted to make sure that I > measured while the tires were ‘cold’ (the approx middle range for our Sienna > minivan). Today, since we are going on a short trip, I measured the tire > pressure and all four tires are at 28 lbs. It is very cold outside today. > Should I raise it up to the 33 lbs or should I leave it alone since maybe > the cold temperature has it somewhat lower? Please advise. Thank You. > Best regards, > RG
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hello, >When the outside temperature was ~ 60 deg F, I adjusted the tire pressure to >33 lbs before the car was driven that day. I wanted to make sure that I >measured while the tires were ‘cold’ (the approx middle range for our Sienna >minivan). Today, since we are going on a short trip, I measured the tire >pressure and all four tires are at 28 lbs. It is very cold outside today. >Should I raise it up to the 33 lbs or should I leave it alone since maybe >the cold temperature has it somewhat lower? Please advise. Thank You. >Best regards, >RG
More info needed. What is the normal temperature range. Is it going to warm up soon? What is "very cold"? Temperature affects pressure so as temperature drops you need to compensate. If it is going to warm up a lot very soon maybe you need to check pressure more often.
Response:
I always go by rule that "Cold" PSI will change 1# for each 10Deg change in Ambient temp (outside air temp) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hello, >When the outside temperature was ~ 60 deg F, I adjusted the tire pressure to >33 lbs before the car was driven that day. I wanted to make sure that I >measured while the tires were ‘cold’ (the approx middle range for our Sienna >minivan). Today, since we are going on a short trip, I measured the tire >pressure and all four tires are at 28 lbs. It is very cold outside today. >Should I raise it up to the 33 lbs or should I leave it alone since maybe >the cold temperature has it somewhat lower? Please advise. Thank You. >Best regards, >RG > More info needed. What is the normal temperature range. Is it going to > warm up soon? What is "very cold"? Temperature affects pressure so as > temperature drops you need to compensate. If it is going to warm up a > lot very soon maybe you need to check pressure more often.
Response:
This is a good question to ask in a physics class. The pressure is going to go up as the tire warms up due to friction. So, in order to get an exact reading you should check them after driving about 100 miles. Or do the manufacturers take this into consideration already? I don’t know. I live in South Texas where the temp extremes are minimal, 70 deg +- 20 daytime so I check them and don’t worry about them unless I am going to get close to max loading, then I will adjust accordingly.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, > When the outside temperature was ~ 60 deg F, I adjusted the tire pressure to > 33 lbs before the car was driven that day. I wanted to make sure that I > measured while the tires were ‘cold’ (the approx middle range for our Sienna > minivan). Today, since we are going on a short trip, I measured the tire > pressure and all four tires are at 28 lbs. It is very cold outside today. > Should I raise it up to the 33 lbs or should I leave it alone since maybe > the cold temperature has it somewhat lower? Please advise. Thank You. > Best regards, > RG
Response:
> The pressure is going to >go up as the tire warms up due to friction.
Yes 
> So, in order to get an exact >reading you should check them after driving about 100 miles.
No! Think about it – ambient temperature is ambient temperature. This fluctuates a lot less than the "warm" temperature of the tyre – it isn’t as though the tyre warms up to a particular temperature and then stays there – in particular, driving style makes a big difference: You take even an ordinary road car, and thrash it round the track, and you’ll be able to burn yourself on the tyres. So, tyre pressures are measured when cold. > Or do the >manufacturers take this into consideration already?
They do, by printing in the manual – you know, that little booklet you get with the car that tells you all the basic things you need to know about D.I.Y maintenance – take a look at it some time > I don’t know. I live in >South Texas where the temp extremes are minimal, 70 deg +- 20 daytime so I >check them and don’t worry about them unless I am going to get close to max >loading, then I will adjust accordingly.
There are many schools of thought concerning tyre pressure – some (idiots) inflate to the maximum pressure on the sidewall – this is a bad idea. My preferences are to inflate to recommended pressures (30 front 34 rear for me), and then adjust the difference between the fronts and/or rears if I want more oversteer / understeer – works for me! MH.
Response:
Technically, you should always measure the pressure cold (driven under 5 miles) and inflate the tires to the manufacturer’s specification. There should be a tire placard on the driver’s side door jamb if you live in America. I believe it is in the trunk on Canadian made cars. This tells you the cold tire pressure for your car as equipped. It is a little bit of a hassle to increase your pressure for one day and they lower it when it gets warm again. I wouldn’t worry about running it a little low for a day of regular driving. You can expect to get worse gas mileage for the day. Your tires will heat up more under inflated but not necessarily get hotter than when it was warm. This isn’t exact and maybe not close but as an illustration: maybe it’s 50 out, you drive a couple miles on the highway with proper inflation, maybe the tires get up to 70, which is 20 degrees over ambient temperature. Maybe the next day it’s 20 and the tires are a few PSI under inflated, you drive a couple miles on the highway and maybe the tires get up to 50, which is 30 degrees over ambient temperature. So you see the tires heated up more but didn’t get as hot when it was cold and they were under inflated. Now there are exceptions to consider. If you are towing or loading up the car or driving at high speed the tires will get hotter faster. Overheating causes blow outs and under inflation is supposedly the leading cause. A little under inflation in normal driving isn’t much of a problem though. If the tires are significantly under inflated you’ll have poorer handling also. And if you leave them under inflated the outside edges will wear. Tires these days are fairly durable. As long as you don’t severely under inflate or overload the tires (overloading depends on the pressure too) the worst you should experience is lower gas mileage and, if low a long time, uneven tread wear. If you’re driving something tall riding on high profile tires, like an explorer, then the handling effect is more important and under infla tion can make you more likely to roll. When you have a high center of gravity you don’t want your foundation to be too squishy because when you turn you want to keep that body roll to a minimum.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, > When the outside temperature was ~ 60 deg F, I adjusted the tire pressure to > 33 lbs before the car was driven that day. I wanted to make sure that I > measured while the tires were ‘cold’ (the approx middle range for our Sienna > minivan). Today, since we are going on a short trip, I measured the tire > pressure and all four tires are at 28 lbs. It is very cold outside today. > Should I raise it up to the 33 lbs or should I leave it alone since maybe > the cold temperature has it somewhat lower? Please advise. Thank You. > Best regards, > RG
Response:
I have a 98 Regal GS and the maximum tire pressure on the tire reads 44psi. I know you are suppose to run them at the pressure recommended by the car manufactures wich is 30psi. I know its no good to run the tires underinflated for fear of tire failure but what if i ran the tires at 35psi, besides wearing faster do i have to worry about tire failure at 5 pounds over car recommendation but still 9 pounds under the max tire pressure? I like the increased handling and steering response i get at this pressure, thanks alot Jenny
Response:
> I have a 98 Regal GS and the maximum tire pressure on the tire reads 44psi. > I know you are suppose to run them at the pressure recommended by the car > manufactures wich is 30psi. I know its no good to run the tires > underinflated > for fear of tire failure but what if i ran the tires at 35psi, besides > wearing faster > do i have to worry about tire failure at 5 pounds over car recommendation > but still 9 pounds under the max tire pressure? I like the increased > handling and steering response i get at this pressure, thanks alot > Jenny
Best to check with your car dealer. Ask them when you take it in for an oil change or call them up. I have driven the car with slightly higher psi without any problems, but you are still taking a chance at tire failure and the tread will also go out faster. Again, check with your dealer. They know best…. Cheers!
Response:
I drive a 1991 Corsica LTZ and have Toyo Proxey H4 205/60HR15’s on it (btw Great tires!!) Toyo recomends 35 psi and Chevy recomends F/R: 32/30, I run it at 42/39 which seems to give the best balance and handling and i havn’t had any problems except it is a bit more harsh on rough pavement. Just make sure when the tire is running higher pressures that the tread stays flat and doesent round out with the extra pressure. ___ _—_ ( ) ( )
Response:
Keep in mind increased pressure due to heat (PVnrT). I live in Houston, TX. I keep my tires at 31 psia cold (80-90F). After driving for 30 mi on an interstate in the summer (ambient air temp ~95 F, road temp ~140 F), my tire pressure increases to 45 psi. — mdx – Please remove the NOSPAM to e-mail me.
Response:
>Keep in mind increased pressure due to heat (PVnrT). >I live in Houston, TX. I keep my tires at 31 psia cold (80-90F). >After driving for 30 mi on an interstate in the summer >(ambient air temp ~95 F, road temp ~140 F), my tire pressure >increases to 45 psi.
The lower cold pressure you run, the larger the incease in pressure when hot and the higher the operating temperature. More pressure equates to a cooler running tire. If you put in 35 cold, you won’t get as big an increase and your tires will run cooler. FYI Rick, who worked in tire shops for years
Response:
Hey All Just a quick post, I know this is mainly for Explorers but thought I would try and tap into the great knowledge on this thread. I have no manual for my Expedition and have the Eddie Bauer with the 17" Wrangler AT’s on it. I was wondering what the recommended PSI for these tires is. I read somewhere 26 from Ford, other places say 35. Any commets would be useful Thanks WC
Response:
If they are the stock 17" for your Expedition, go by what the label on the door says. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hey All >Just a quick post, I know this is mainly for Explorers but thought I would >try and tap into the great knowledge on this thread. >I have no manual for my Expedition and have the Eddie Bauer with the 17"
Response:
I can’t find the label anywhere, where on the door should it be ?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> If they are the stock 17" for your Expedition, go by what the label on the door > says. >Hey All >Just a quick post, I know this is mainly for Explorers but thought I would >try and tap into the great knowledge on this thread. >I have no manual for my Expedition and have the Eddie Bauer with the 17"
Response:
It should be on the outside edge of the drivers door, below where the door latch (the little groove that the stud slides into). Right between the outside and the inside of the door. I’ve seen a few that were on the back pillar of the front drivers door. Either way you may have to wipe it off as it may be dirty as most people neglect to clean this part when washing the rest in the winter. Joey
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I can’t find the label anywhere, where on the door should it be ? > If they are the stock 17" for your Expedition, go by what the label on the > door > says. > >Hey All > >Just a quick post, I know this is mainly for Explorers but thought I > would > >try and tap into the great knowledge on this thread. > >I have no manual for my Expedition and have the Eddie Bauer with the 17"
Response:
I just purchased an ‘04 Eddie Bauer 4 x 4. The door sticker say 35 front and 35 rear. Maybe the tech knew what he was talking about. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > A search for TSBs revealed nothing for late Explorers as far as updated tire > pressures is concerned. Any that I service leave the door with 30 front – 35 > rear. I run my 92 with 35/35 but that is a personal preference/driving style > thing. I don’t recall seeing any SSMs, either. > The extra 5 psi isn’t likely to hurt anything but many don’t like the > slightly stiffer ride or extra noise over tar seams. > HTH > Jim Warman > My 03 4WD has a label inside the fuel filler door that states that the > correct tire pressure is 30 front and 35 rear. I have been very careful > about ensuring that my pressures are correct. > At my 20K oil change and tire rotation yesterday, the tech told me that > the > correct tire pressure for a 4WD is 35 all around. He mentioned that Ford > implemented that change several months ago. > What I don’t understand is that with all of the press around Explorers and > tire pressure, why hasn’t Ford notified owners and sent out replacement > stickers for the tire pressure values inside the fuel filler door?
Response:
You did not mention where the Tech was. I found the tech at the local lube shop was jacking the pressure up to 35 all around. When I asked him about it, he said that was the recommended pressure. When I questioned him as to where he got that information, he said it was printed on the side of the tire!!!! Since I go in with the tires hot, it clearly was not as bad as he thought, but still he had no knowledge as to what he was reading. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My 03 4WD has a label inside the fuel filler door that states that the > correct tire pressure is 30 front and 35 rear. I have been very careful > about ensuring that my pressures are correct. > At my 20K oil change and tire rotation yesterday, the tech told me that the > correct tire pressure for a 4WD is 35 all around. He mentioned that Ford > implemented that change several months ago. > What I don’t understand is that with all of the press around Explorers and > tire pressure, why hasn’t Ford notified owners and sent out replacement > stickers for the tire pressure values inside the fuel filler door?
Response:
A search for TSBs revealed nothing for late Explorers as far as updated tire pressures is concerned. Any that I service leave the door with 30 front – 35 rear. I run my 92 with 35/35 but that is a personal preference/driving style thing. I don’t recall seeing any SSMs, either. The extra 5 psi isn’t likely to hurt anything but many don’t like the slightly stiffer ride or extra noise over tar seams. HTH Jim Warman
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My 03 4WD has a label inside the fuel filler door that states that the > correct tire pressure is 30 front and 35 rear. I have been very careful > about ensuring that my pressures are correct. > At my 20K oil change and tire rotation yesterday, the tech told me that the > correct tire pressure for a 4WD is 35 all around. He mentioned that Ford > implemented that change several months ago. > What I don’t understand is that with all of the press around Explorers and > tire pressure, why hasn’t Ford notified owners and sent out replacement > stickers for the tire pressure values inside the fuel filler door?
Response:
My 03 4WD has a label inside the fuel filler door that states that the correct tire pressure is 30 front and 35 rear. I have been very careful about ensuring that my pressures are correct. At my 20K oil change and tire rotation yesterday, the tech told me that the correct tire pressure for a 4WD is 35 all around. He mentioned that Ford implemented that change several months ago. What I don’t understand is that with all of the press around Explorers and tire pressure, why hasn’t Ford notified owners and sent out replacement stickers for the tire pressure values inside the fuel filler door?
Response:
I have a new XLT and I can’t for the life of me find information on correct tire pressure for the standard 225/70R tires. Nothing in the door area; nothing in the User Manual. Anybody got the answer? Thanks. Scott Remborg
Response:
on the tires it says in very small type 35 psi.
Response:
> on the tires it says in very small type 35 psi.
and right next to this small type is says MAX PRESSURE. It is DANGEROUS to operate the tire above this pressure. This is very different than the recommended pressure. The recommended pressure should be listed on the drivers door. On my Explorer it is something like 26 psi. Yours could be different.
Response:
>There is a sticker on the door of my explorer v8 4×4 that says 26PSI I >would think thats a lil low, it has the goodyear tires.
right, it is low for some, but apparently the suspension system is designed to use lower inflated tires for a smoother ride (or, that is what i have been told) So, if you run it at 26, then the ride will be nice, but i can’t think that it is great for mileage, so i tend to turn it up for long trips. If you inflate it higher, though, to like 30 or 32, then the ride gets a lot stiffer, and you become a lot more aware of the road. So, it is up to you.
Response:
There is a sticker on the door of my explorer v8 4×4 that says 26PSI I would think thats a lil low, it has the goodyear tires. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->on the tires it says in very small type 35 psi. > That is the Max pressure for the tire, somewhere between the max and what > is marked on the door post sticker is usually the best.
Response:
> There is a sticker on the door of my explorer v8 4×4 that says 26PSI I > would think thats a lil low, it has the goodyear tires.
Nadeem, My ‘96 Explorer Sport has a sticker that says 26psi also. But I’ve found that 30-32psi is much better for mileage purposes. But it may be a little hard on your ride, not to mention your back. Ron Cain
Response:
>> on the tires it says in very small type 35 psi. >and right next to this small type is says MAX PRESSURE. It is DANGEROUS >to operate the tire above this pressure. >This is very different than the recommended pressure. The recommended >pressure should be listed on the drivers door. On my Explorer it is >something like 26 psi. Yours could be different.
The recomended tire pressure in the door is from the AUTO manufacturer, not the tire manufacturer. Ford lists the pressure that gives the best ride, not the best tire wear, handling, etc. 26psi will wear the edges of your tire out when the center of the tread still has life. I know for a fact. Doesn’t matter how much you rotate. I keep my new Michelins inflated to Michelin’s recomended pressure, not Ford’s. After all, they designed and built the tire. They should know what works. Jack
Response:
