94 tire pressure

[Heath88Caprice]

Okay, well I've got a 94 lesabre, problem is, the label inside the door jamb is completely worn off. So I have no idea what the tire pressure is supposed to be. The tires say 44PSI max, and that's what they are now hot. So I'm trying to find someone that may actually know because the manual just refers me back to the car. Thanks for your help.

[hatchetmann]

Originally Posted by Heath88Caprice

Okay, well I've got a 94 lesabre, problem is, the label inside the door jamb is completely worn off. So I have no idea what the tire pressure is supposed to be. The tires say 44PSI max, and that's what they are now hot. So I'm trying to find someone that may actually know because the manual just refers me back to the car. Thanks for your help.

according to my TIRE GUIDE, your car should have 205/70/15 tire size and 30psi is suggested on both front and rear. this also includes vehicles with 215/60/16 tire size.

[Heath88Caprice]

Really only 30? It was at 35 and I was getting about 22mpg max then. Unless there's something wrong with my car. The only thing that I think could be wrong is that for some reason I tend to lose antifreeze from the resevoir. After about a week or two, maybe a month it'll go from the full hot (when hot) to full cold (when hot). It does go further if I let it go longer. So far I haven't seen any signs of a leak. There are no spots where I park, nothing I can see under the car. It runs great. Never had any major problems other than the fuel injector that went out about 6,000 miles ago. But I replaced a coil pack prior to that. Any idea?

[hatchetmann]

Originally Posted by Heath88Caprice

Really only 30? It was at 35 and I was getting about 22mpg max then. Unless there's something wrong with my car. The only thing that I think could be wrong is that for some reason I tend to lose antifreeze from the resevoir. After about a week or two, maybe a month it'll go from the full hot (when hot) to full cold (when hot). It does go further if I let it go longer. So far I haven't seen any signs of a leak. There are no spots where I park, nothing I can see under the car. It runs great. Never had any major problems other than the fuel injector that went out about 6,000 miles ago. But I replaced a coil pack prior to that. Any idea?

It could be coming from anywhere. Probably a pinhole in a hose or clamp or even a rad cap that is worn out. If there is no water in your engine oil, I would just keep a look out for it until it gets worse. Go have your cooling system pressure tested. most leaks will show up.

[ChemMan]

I've always inflated the tires to about 3/4 of the pressure stated on the sidewalls of the tire. That sticker on the door jamb is only good if you still have the original tires on the car. Replacement tires can have very different requirements.

[95 LeSabre]

I get best gas mileage at about 35 psi in my tires.

I had the same coolant loss issue you are having. Could not find the leak and the mechanic I take my car to recommended raidiator stop leak that comes in a tube and looks like sawdust. I did not like the idea of putting that stuff in my car, but I did it anyway and no coolant loss since. Its been about 8 months and no loss.

[happydog500]

Originally Posted by ChemMan

I've always inflated the tires to about 3/4 of the pressure stated on the sidewalls of the tire. That sticker on the door jamb is only good if you still have the original tires on the car. Replacement tires can have very different requirements.

The sticker on the door jam is for the best ride for that car, not just for the original tires. Each tire has a "Max tire Presser" listed on the sidewall, but that is Max for the tire, not what your supposed to have for that car.

The reason it seems low is that pressure is set to give you the best ride, not the best tire wear or gas mileage. If you run a little higher pressure, you'll get a little better mileage, plus a little better tire wear running steal belted radials. With that, you will lose a little ride comfort.

Another reason it seems low is with gas prices high (going back to the 70's gas crisis) people where taught to run a little higher pressure. Plus the tire salesperson gives a little tip to make (their tire there selling) wear longer by suggesting running a little bit higher pressure.

I've ran higher pressure for decades until last year. I ran 30psi (Door jam) and could not believe how much better the ride was.

Since growing up with everyone telling me to run higher pressure then the guy who designed the car, I just can't run the best ride 30psi, so I run just a *little* higher at 32psi COLD.

What I like to do is compare the salesperson at the tire store and the gas station attendant's salary with the person who designed the car's salary. I like going with the one who's paid more, a lot more.

[pcmos]

Your coolant leak may be internal, leaking from the intake or head gasket into the engine, most likely it is an intake leak. Although your car is old enough it may have the older and more reliable aluminum upper intake, intake leaks are common on any engine as it ages. You may see a lot of people chatting about the modern plastic intake used on newer models that notoriously leaks prematurely, but don't rule out an intake leak on your older model. Also double check your water pump fittings, and if you ever detect a burning oil smell as you drive, look for evidence of a coolant leak over an exhaust header or other really hot part. Most people confuse burning coolant with burning oil, the smells are very similar. If you have a slow leak over an exhaust header you may be able to see discoloration on the manifold where the coolant has been dripping and burning off.

[pcmos]

Oh and I'll add one more thing. Your tire pressure should absolutely be no more than 30psi unless you are running a non-stock wheel or tire setup. 30psi is standard, anything higher could cause a blowout at high speeds or elevated temps.

[95 LeSabre]

If you want better gas mileage put 35 psi. in your tires. Happydog is right on with his post. pcmos, it is way over kill to tell this guy running over 30 psi could cause a blowout at high speed or elevated temps.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by 95 LeSabre

If you want better gas mileage put 35 psi. in your tires. Happydog is right on with his post. pcmos, it is way over kill to tell this guy running over 30 psi could cause a blowout at high speed or elevated temps.

Actually, the lower the pressure, the more heat you build up in the tires and "heat" is what will increase the risk of blowout! A resonable higher than normal setting, would not effect anything other than ride quality.

[pcmos]

I guess its a question of common sense. With summer driving in temperatures as high as 100 degrees in certain places, running your tires over inflated is more than a little risky. The sticker posted by the manufacturer tells you to run your tires at 30psi for a reason. 30psi is not "under-inflated", its proper inflation. If you were running them at 25psi they would certainly get hotter faster. Also consider the way the front calipers sit in relation to the inside of the rim on these cars, your front wheels will heat up fairly significantly due to braking. You don't have brake ducts and open spoke rims. The bottom line is, inflate them the way you want, go out, punish your brakes on a hot day, then pull over and quickly check your tire pressure and come to your own conclusion. I'm not comfortable having my hot tire pressure at 40psi when the absolute maximum is 44psi. Neither are the engineers who designed the car.

[95 LeSabre]

Originally Posted by pcmos

I guess its a question of common sense. With summer driving in temperatures as high as 100 degrees in certain places, running your tires over inflated is more than a little risky. The sticker posted by the manufacturer tells you to run your tires at 30psi for a reason. 30psi is not "under-inflated", its proper inflation. If you were running them at 25psi they would certainly get hotter faster. Also consider the way the front calipers sit in relation to the inside of the rim on these cars, your front wheels will heat up fairly significantly due to braking. You don't have brake ducts and open spoke rims. The bottom line is, inflate them the way you want, go out, punish your brakes on a hot day, then pull over and quickly check your tire pressure and come to your own conclusion. I'm not comfortable having my hot tire pressure at 40psi when the absolute maximum is 44psi. Neither are the engineers who designed the car.

Please keep in mind that these are the same engineers that did such a fine job designing the composite intakes on our VIN K cars. I've been running 35 psi in the tires on my Buick for years, with NO problems.

[buick24]

I am running 40psi plus in my buick. The max is 44psi i will run it right up there . My neighbors trucks max is 50 and thats what the truck says on the sticker so i am not worried. On my old truck the max was 35psi and thats what i ran it at no problem. I am going for max gas mileage anyways that car rides so much better than my truck anyways.