Tire Pressure Question

[DINO55]

I need your input guy's. About a month ago i put brand new tires on my 98 Blazer LS and the tire shop (Sam's Club) had them inflated to the max 42psi...
When I took it in for a front end aligenment, The tech told me the tires were over inflated and brought them down to 32psi. My buddy swear's that other then a stiffer ride, you will get the best fuel milage and tread wear out of any tire when it's inflated to the Max pressure as stated on the side of the tire, He's not the only one who has told me this either. So what do you guy's think?, What pressure do you guy's run in your Blazer's???

I'm Confused...............

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by DINO55

I need your input guy's. About a month ago i put brand new tires on my 98 Blazer LS and the tire shop (Sam's Club) had them inflated to the max 42psi...
When I took it in for a front end aligenment, The tech told me the tires were over inflated and brought them down to 32psi. My buddy swear's that other then a stiffer ride, you will get the best fuel milage and tread wear out of any tire when it's inflated to the Max pressure as stated on the side of the tire, He's not the only one who has told me this either. So what do you guy's think?, What pressure do you guy's run in your Blazer's???

I'm Confused...............

Your buddy is wrong.

Not only will is ruin your tires prematurely, it will also stress you suspension components as well.

For maybe 1mpg, I would stick to 35psi max cold.

[DINO55]

I did'nt realize the undo stress on suspension components.

[Officer Redneck]

I have a tire shop owner in the family so I asked your question to him. You should run your tires within 5 pounds of the max psi. For example: if the max psi is 42lb then you could run them from 42lb to 37lb without any problem. If you notice that the outside of the tires are getting wore down more than the middle then you need to add a couple pounds of air to the tires. If you notice the middle is getting wore down more than the outside than you need to lower your presure a little. Hope this is helpfull. By the way, ignore the tire presure recomandation of the vehicle manufacturer. They post the recomended tire presure for the tire they use and what makes the vehicle ride the best not what all tires will recomend. Not all tires are the same.

[scholzee]

Below is a posting from NHTSA the US governmental agency in charge of recalls and car safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Carefully read the last 2 paragraphs.

Understanding Tire Pressure and Load Limits

Tire inflation pressure is the level of air in the tire that provides it with load-carrying capacity and affects the overall performance of the vehicle. The tire inflation pressure is a number that indicates the amount of air pressure– measured in pounds per square inch (psi)–a tire requires to be properly inflated. (You will also find this number on the vehicle information placard expressed in kilopascals (kPa), which is the metric measure used internationally.)

Manufacturers of passenger vehicles and light trucks determine this number based on he vehicle's design load limit, that is, the greatest amount of weight a vehicle can safely carry and the vehicle's tire size.The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is referred to as the "recommended cold inflation pressure."

Remember, the correct pressure for your tire is what the vehicle manufacturer has listed on the placard, NOT what is listed on the tire itself.

Because tires are designed to be used on more than one type of vehicle, tire manufacturers list the "maximum permissible inflation pressure" on the tire sidewall. This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving conditions.

[Tangent]

Originally Posted by scholzee

Remember, the correct pressure for your tire is what the vehicle manufacturer has listed on the placard, NOT what is listed on the tire itself.

Quoted for truth!

[BlazerLT]

I always run my tires at 35psi MAX when cold.

The tire is part of your suspension system and if you have your tires rock hard and inflated too much, the rest of your suspension will take the slack and wear and tear.

Anything over 35psi cold is just not needed and will cost you more in the long run through suspension part replacement.

Also, don't always listen to tire shops when it comes to pressure requirements.

They would like you to wear your tires out prematurely too so they get more business.

And always check your tire pressure COLD, never HOT.

[redwheeler]

run pressure at the numbers on the end of the door to little or to much air and it heat up moe then normal and wear quicker

[blazee]

Running your pressure too high also makes you tires more likely to be damaged by road hazards.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by blazee

Running your pressure too high also makes you tires more likely to be damaged by road hazards.

Very good point as well.