Tire Pressure
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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Tire Pressure
The dealer had my tires at 45 front/55 rear, and set them there when I had it's first service. Now the other day I pumped them up to the 55/70 as it says inside the gas door. It rides a little rougher, but I am getting 2.5 more miles a gallon 'cording to the console (which has been pretty close past few fill ups).
What do you guys inflate your tires to? I couldn't find anything recommended on the tire itself. I love the gas mileage improvement, but would hate a blow out.
What do you guys inflate your tires to? I couldn't find anything recommended on the tire itself. I love the gas mileage improvement, but would hate a blow out.
New User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 19
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If you have stock tires run the at least the recommended pressure on the sticker. Check your tiremanufacturer instruction booklet/warranty card if you have it. Quite a few recommend boosting the pressure if you are running higher speeds and/or higher loads. Usually 10psi higher then what the sticker says. Do not inflate past the maximum pressure noted on the tire. Check your tires often it will save you money in the long run.
Spiderman1
Spiderman1
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 446
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From: western pa,zelienople
I start at the recommended pressure then watch for wear and adjust to keep the whole tire on the ground. more air if the sides wear first, less if the center wears first.
Looking at other peopels tires i have found that most tires wear in the center, too much air. I think we air our tires for max load then never load the truck, but if we run low air it needs to be raised up if we load the truck. Sounds like a lot of trouble,so we find some thing in the middle an run with it.
Looking at other peopels tires i have found that most tires wear in the center, too much air. I think we air our tires for max load then never load the truck, but if we run low air it needs to be raised up if we load the truck. Sounds like a lot of trouble,so we find some thing in the middle an run with it.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 148
Likes: 6
Running max pressure will definitely wear your tires out quicker as stated. The center of the tires will wear out way before the outside and the ride is rougher. I run 55 in the front always, regardless of load and air up the back tires to 65 when pulling my boat. Pain to air up and down but much worth avoiding the tire wear. 45 is too low in the front, there is a lot of weight up there.
Also remember to check air pressure with a known accurate pressure gauge and do it in the morning before the sun comes up. I see 5 or more pounds difference higher on the tires the sun is hitting.
Also remember to check air pressure with a known accurate pressure gauge and do it in the morning before the sun comes up. I see 5 or more pounds difference higher on the tires the sun is hitting.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 301
Likes: 1
From: East Texas
I run 70 and 80 psi cold and i get on average of 70,000 miles out of a set of firestone tires. rotation is the key and a inflated tire is what i think it takes, (my tread patern is flat ) I think it's a danger running a tire at 40% less its rated pressure.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 78
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From: Denver
I run 75 in the front and 40 in the rear (dually truck). When I pull a load I bump my rear up to 60 or so.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: NW
I have both my front and rear at 70, but think I will drop it another 10 down to 60 psi and try that, and maybe on down to 55, or minimum specs on the tire. Its just too rough at 70. If and when I carry a heavy load, I'll pump them back up.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 527
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From: Central WA USA
I would have to say the best answer is to watch wear patterns, followed by the recommended pressure on the fuel door unless you go to a non stock size. I have an f-250 and the recommendation is 80psi for the rear according to fuel door. 80 psi with the stock tires was fine, but when I got new tires it wasn't the proper pressure. I went to the stock f350 size tire (265/75 16) nitto terragraplers and tried 80 psi and got a really squirrely ride (over inflated). So I reduced pressures to 55 psi front, 65 psi rear and it rides perfectly now.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 281
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From: Port Orchard, WA
Dealer keeps pumping mine up to 65 front and 55 rear. I run 55 front and rear.
Great way to tell if you are running too low is to mark across the tire and slightly up the sides with chalk. Then after some cornering and "normal" driving, check to see how far up the chalk has dissappeared. If too low a pressure, you will have a lot less chalk on the edge of the tire. You do not have to drive too far to get a good indication. Of course with our high pressures to start with, this is only a fair indication. This test works much better on your regular car tires that do not run that much air in them.
Overall, stay close to the recommended tire pressure on the side of the tire. Normally, the higher the pressure, the rougher the ride. I dislike running high pressure also because I still have firestone tires which I do not trust at high pressure and all tires increase pressure with driving. As much as 10#'s more when they are hot. Always check pressure before driving or at least wait a few minutes after driving to check the real pressure.
I rotate my tires every 5K.
Great way to tell if you are running too low is to mark across the tire and slightly up the sides with chalk. Then after some cornering and "normal" driving, check to see how far up the chalk has dissappeared. If too low a pressure, you will have a lot less chalk on the edge of the tire. You do not have to drive too far to get a good indication. Of course with our high pressures to start with, this is only a fair indication. This test works much better on your regular car tires that do not run that much air in them.
Overall, stay close to the recommended tire pressure on the side of the tire. Normally, the higher the pressure, the rougher the ride. I dislike running high pressure also because I still have firestone tires which I do not trust at high pressure and all tires increase pressure with driving. As much as 10#'s more when they are hot. Always check pressure before driving or at least wait a few minutes after driving to check the real pressure.
I rotate my tires every 5K.
