Improving the ride
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
I'm not a genius when it comes to the physics of driving, but I've always been told that when your tire pressure is too low, it costs you in fuel economy. So, what is "too low" for a Super Duty whose tires are recommended to be at 80 PSI? Does running 50/50 affect fuel economy?
Tire Load Inflation Table.pdf
I don't know what the safe lowest pressure is. The chart goes down to 35 psi but I wouldn't go below 50 psi.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
I'm not a genius when it comes to the physics of driving, but I've always been told that when your tire pressure is too low, it costs you in fuel economy. So, what is "too low" for a Super Duty whose tires are recommended to be at 80 PSI? Does running 50/50 affect fuel economy?
My trucks doorplate calls for 60/65psi. it is the 9,900 gvwr. Running 10-15 less psi does not seem to effect fuel economy at all for me.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 12
Door jamb pressure is for max axle load. If you drove an F450 with the tires at max sidewall pressure (110 PSI), you'd be very unsafe. You'd wander all over the place, bounce like crazy, and follow every rut in the road. You'd also have very poor traction and tire life.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 390
From: SEVA
So tell me where I can find the minimum PSI setting. If folks are adjusting their TPMS levels downward via FORSCAN, are they violating minimum PSI?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 12
Look up the tire load / inflation tables for your particular tire. If you cannot find one, you are probably safe using one from a similar tire (same load rating / size).
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 390
From: SEVA
From the Owner's Manual:
"The Ford recommended tire inflation pressures can be found on the Tire Label, which is located on the B-pillar or the edge of the driver's door."
"Ford strongly recommends maintaining these tire pressures at all times."
I'm not going to change any minds here. Y'all do what you want ... you'll do that anyway. But after the Firestone fiasco resulting mostly from under-inflated tires, methinks I'll obey the "strongly recommended" minimum.
Don't forget those altered TPMS values are recorded in the vehicle's black box and can be retrieved after an accident.
"The Ford recommended tire inflation pressures can be found on the Tire Label, which is located on the B-pillar or the edge of the driver's door."
"Ford strongly recommends maintaining these tire pressures at all times."
I'm not going to change any minds here. Y'all do what you want ... you'll do that anyway. But after the Firestone fiasco resulting mostly from under-inflated tires, methinks I'll obey the "strongly recommended" minimum.
Don't forget those altered TPMS values are recorded in the vehicle's black box and can be retrieved after an accident.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 4
I'm really not trying to be smart but....this is a Super Duty 3/4 ton truck (not an F150 1/2 ton). The ride is only gonna get so good....if you start trying to turn it into an F150, you're going to ruin the reason you bought it (to carry heavy loads).
I've know guys who buy an F150 1/2 ton and then try to use it like an F350 by hauling loads that are WAY too heavy.
I've got a 2017 F350 with snowplow prep and the maximum load springs all around - yeah it's firm, but I wouldn't call it rough riding at all. Just my 2 cents.
I've know guys who buy an F150 1/2 ton and then try to use it like an F350 by hauling loads that are WAY too heavy.
I've got a 2017 F350 with snowplow prep and the maximum load springs all around - yeah it's firm, but I wouldn't call it rough riding at all. Just my 2 cents.
I ride around on old beat up gravel roads everywhere I go. Our 2 Chevy 3500's and our Ram 3500 aren't this rough. On paved roads it's fine, but where I live it's overly stiff.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 12
Everyone can make their own choice... From the tire manufacturer for my F450, https://blobs.continental-tires.com/...ables-data.pdf
At the door plate 90/80, my tires are rated for:
Front @ 90: 3450*2=6900#
Rear @ 80: 3000*4=12000*
I sure don't need 18,900# of capacity for my truck.
I run:
Front @ 80: 3195*2=6390#
Rear @ 70: 2720*4=10,880#
This gives a tire rating of 17,270, which is more than 4000# higher than I cross the scales when towing heavy with my family on board. The truck tracks better, rides smoother, and has better traction at these pressures. I'd likely run the rear tires lower if Continental rated them lower.
At the door plate 90/80, my tires are rated for:
Front @ 90: 3450*2=6900#
Rear @ 80: 3000*4=12000*
I sure don't need 18,900# of capacity for my truck.
I run:
Front @ 80: 3195*2=6390#
Rear @ 70: 2720*4=10,880#
This gives a tire rating of 17,270, which is more than 4000# higher than I cross the scales when towing heavy with my family on board. The truck tracks better, rides smoother, and has better traction at these pressures. I'd likely run the rear tires lower if Continental rated them lower.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Just bought 2017 F250 SD KR and I love the truck so far!
However, I am coming out of a 2015 GMC 2500 Denali which has less interstate bounce.
Also, I have a 2012 F250 SD Lariat that I bought new. Suffered through quite a bit of bounciness until I bought Fox shocks just about 1 year ago.
I am going to lower my air pressure tomorrow - if that isn't enough I'll get the Fox shocks.
However, I am coming out of a 2015 GMC 2500 Denali which has less interstate bounce.
Also, I have a 2012 F250 SD Lariat that I bought new. Suffered through quite a bit of bounciness until I bought Fox shocks just about 1 year ago.
I am going to lower my air pressure tomorrow - if that isn't enough I'll get the Fox shocks.
truck.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 275
Likes: 6
That all depends on what your tpms sensors are set to, if you have a programmer or forscan you can set the sensors to what ever you want.