Higher Tire Pressure

[captainm27]

Reading around the forums, some say that higher tire pressure increases mileage and thread life, but makes for a bumpy ride. I have a few questions about higher tire pressures.

1. I just bought my car last summer: Would increasing the pressure beyond the recommend 32psi void my tire warranty?

2. Is the ride REALLY more bumpy?

3. Would it increase the chances of a blowout if I went through some heavy pot holes? (Lots of pot holes on my drive to work, sometimes I hit them constantly at night when it's harder to see them.)

4. Any pictures of really high tire pressures?


I seem to have a fear of filling it up too high because of the story my friend told me: He noticed his tire was low, so he went to the pump to fill up. I guess he overfilled, because last thing he knew, he heard a loud pop before going deaf for a few minutes, while laying on the ground dazed out.

[gid]

YARIS has 32 p.s.i. stated on the tag that's located on the drivers side of the I-pillar frame on the body of car . 34 > 35 p.s.i. seems to be good for ride with us . Results may vary . :wink:

[ddongbap]

I rock max.

[kimona]

Overinflate and your car will bounce all over the road and handle like shit!

[SailDesign]

I put mine (205/45-16) at 42psi or so. I find this improves handling in the dry and gives me MARGINALLY better bite in the snow. this is with Toyo Proxes4 tires, adn I would have to re-experiment with any other tire, as they all behave differntly. My preferred pressure and yours will be different due to tires. driving style (or lack thereof) and maybe even local road surfaces.
I find lower pressures give the car a "slushy" feeling in corners, but improve braking response (the patch's aspect ratio changes as well as its area)
YMMV :smile:

[jambo101]

I dont get the logic of pumping up the tires beyond specs to save a few pennies at the pump then wasting a whole bunch of money on Toyo Proxes4 ultra high performance tires when tires at half the price would serve transportation needs adequately.:confused:

[ddongbap]

I put mine (205/45-16) at 42psi or so. I find this improves handling in the dry and gives me MARGINALLY better bite in the snow. this is with Toyo Proxes4 tires, adn I would have to re-experiment with any other tire, as they all behave differntly. My preferred pressure and yours will be different due to tires. driving style (or lack thereof) and maybe even local road surfaces.
I find lower pressures give the car a "slushy" feeling in corners, but improve braking response (the patch's aspect ratio changes as well as its area)
YMMV :smile:

You get better grip with lower PSI.

[ddongbap]

I dont get the logic of pumping up the tires beyond specs to save a few pennies at the pump then wasting a whole bunch of money on Toyo Proxes4 ultra high performance tires when tires at half the price would serve transportation needs adequately.:confused:

With that logic, you might as well rock the cheapest tires possible.

[SailDesign]

You get better grip with lower PSI.

But then the sidewalls deflect and the cornering suffers. I have my test corners locally, not to mention the commute, and the 42psi gives the best cornering for me/the roads/tires/etc. I kid you not! :smile:
Acceleration "grip?" Not interested - not in THIS car....

I dont get the logic of pumping up the tires beyond specs to save a few pennies at the pump then wasting a whole bunch of money on Toyo Proxes4 ultra high performance tires when tires at half the price would serve transportation needs adequately.:confused:

Not trying to save pennies at the pump. Trying to enjoy the drive :biggrin:
We each have a different definition of "enjoy" when it comes to driving.

[ddongbap]

But then the sidewalls deflect and the cornering suffers. I have my test corners locally, not to mention the commute, and the 42psi gives the best cornering for me/the roads/tires/etc. I kid you not! :smile:
Acceleration "grip?" Not interested - not in THIS car....



Not trying to save pennies at the pump. Trying to enjoy the drive :biggrin:
We each have a different definition of "enjoy" when it comes to driving.

Good point. Sorta. I see your point. But sidewall is going to flex as bad as w/e, with max psi, or lower psi.

[SailDesign]

Good point. Sorta. I see your point. But sidewall is going to flex as bad as w/e, with max psi, or lower psi.

Sidewall flex def drops with higher pressure. Take it to extremes, and look at a nearly-flat tire compared to a well-pumped tire. I realise this isn't totally fair, and that the difference between a HIGH-pressure tire and a normal-pessure tire is significantly less than the example. :smile:
But...

[ddongbap]

Sidewall flex def drops with higher pressure. Take it to extremes, and look at a nearly-flat tire compared to a well-pumped tire. I realise this isn't totally fair, and that the difference between a HIGH-pressure tire and a normal-pessure tire is significantly less than the example. :smile:
But...

Nah, I'm agreeing with you. I was just saying it'll still flex. But you're right, i'll bow out more with less air.

[ddongbap]

Solution: Lower pro!

[SailDesign]

Solution: Lower pro!

Heh! Yeah - who needs side-walls anyway, right?!

[toad]

so which do you use - the tires recommended max air pressure or the vehicles? i've been looking into some dunlop sp20fe's which are built specifically for low rolling resistance and have a max cold air pressure of 51. they are made for applications such as the civic hybrid and prius(vehicles of similar weight as our yaris). if i need to go in between, i may as well just buy some cheaper all-seasons.

[cleong]

I actually use the allowed variance in recommended tire pressures to alter the handling characteristics of the car. Try varying front and rear pressures by a difference of 5-10psi.

[YarisSedan]

Cars going to handle slightly better with extreme cornering since less sidewall flex. But your stopping distance is going to be decreased since your more liekly to end up in a skid situation in any panic stop since you have less tire to road surface area. Which is why you get a slight bump in fuel economy since your reducing your roling ristance. Also your car becomes really fidgety. Slight bump steer occus at high speeds and ride is ridged. And potholes hurt.

Its not really worth it. Especially with gas prices down. I would try it for a week you probally will switch back to your regular air pressure. Just dont exceed 40psi or you will start to go past the load bearing range.

[ddongbap]

You're going to have two different PSI readings. One for warm tires, and another for cold tires. Unless you're using nitrogen, of course.

Cars going to handle slightly better with extreme cornering since less sidewall flex. But your stopping distance is going to be decreased since your more liekly to end up in a skid situation in any panic stop since you have less tire to road surface area. Which is why you get a slight bump in fuel economy since your reducing your roling ristance. Also your car becomes really fidgety. Slight bump steer occus at high speeds and ride is ridged. And potholes hurt.

Its not really worth it. Especially with gas prices down. I would try it for a week you probally will switch back to your regular air pressure. Just dont exceed 40psi or you will start to go past the load bearing range.

You mean INCREASE.

[NJBob]

I have mine at 40 but I don't know that it makes that much difference. The door recommendations are more for comfort. Acceleration and grip is negligible on a whopping 106 hp 4 banger. Bottom line.....unless you're a "better mileage" freak/hyper miler it doesn't really matter.

[SailDesign]

Bob,
When you have to cross a 2-mile bridge, high enough to get even an aircraft carrier under, every day in whatever weather is thrown around that day, believe me - you will notice the difference between "standard" pressure 60-series tires and high-pressure 45-series tires. In a 50-mph cross-wind the stock tires and pressure felt plain unsafe. The high-pressure lower profile tires feel fine, and I do not get bump-steer or white-lining at 42 psi except under hard braking. And my braking distance is soooo much shorter with the better compound that it more than makes up for the aspect ratio of the patch.

[gid]

few years ago we test drove an '06 Scion XB and rode like crap . When hit bumps in the road would almost send yeh through the roof . We were like " what a crappy ride " . So , turned around after traveling a few blocks and went back to dealer where I checked the tire pressure . 45 p.s.i. !!! So , let air out of all tires to around 34 p.s.i. and we went back out for another test drive and what a difference . Much more smoother and not bouncing out of our seats . I try to remember to check air pressure in all new / used cars before a test drive . Can be misleading and give misconception of the ride and handling . Many dealerships don't prep cars all that well . We did get an '06 automatic Scion XB , but at another TOYO dealer that's on the other side of town .

[YarisSedan]

You're going to have two different PSI readings. One for warm tires, and another for cold tires. Unless you're using nitrogen, of course.



You mean INCREASE.

oh yeah sorry i posted this late at night was really sleepy lol

[MadMax]

gid

I usually find dealer's underinflate tires on cars to make them ride smoother during test drives.

I just pumped my tires up to 40 PSI, the ride is a little harsher but not that bad; and based on our drive home from Buda yesterday, the gas mileage has increased a little (we took back roads so our speed was more reasonable versus going down IH-35). I just refueled but got 75 miles out of the first "bar" of gas, which is pretty good. I am going to go easy and keep it to 70 MPH and below, and see how much that and my increased tire pressure helps my gas mileage.

Cheers! M2

[gid]

I just got 68 miles before losing 1st bar with tires at 34 . Gotta consider it's very cold here . Temps have been averaging 15 degrees .

[gid]

when they ship new cars they inflate tires up to 45 p.s.i.. Figure due to the the vehicles sitting around for period of time and in case have a leaky tire(s) . :iono: .

[ddongbap]

when they ship new cars they inflate tires up to 45 p.s.i.. Figure due to the the vehicles sitting around for period of time and in case have a leaky tire(s) . :iono: .

I think its cause it'll help prevent any folding of the tire.

[yaris-me]

So if we split the difference, 37 would be a good tire pressure?:confused:

[SilverBack]

Over-inflating reduces your grip on the road. Mine was understeering after I filled the front tires at the gas station because the air looked kinda low, so I let some out to bring it back to the way it is after I got home.

Off-topic (kinda): If you want your tires to hold its' air all-year-round, fill them with nitrogen inside of oxygen. Oxygen has moisture in it, so it'll expand and contract with seasonal temperature changes. This makes your tires under-inflated on cold days, and over-inflated on hot days. Nitrogen is bone-dry, so it won't do anything inside your tires :thumbsup:

[SailDesign]

Off-topic (kinda): If you want your tires to hold its' air all-year-round, fill them with nitrogen inside of oxygen. Oxygen has moisture in it, so it'll expand and contract with seasonal temperature changes. This makes your tires under-inflated on cold days, and over-inflated on hot days. Nitrogen is bone-dry, so it won't do anything inside your tires :thumbsup:

Krayzee - this is pure, unadulterated BS. Nothing personal, this is what everyone is saying, after all. However, if you look up "Boyle's Law", you'll note that ALL gases expand and contract with the heat. It is part of being a gas.
What nitrogen does that is better than plain ol' air is that it doesn't degrade the tires, due to a lack of oxygen. However, as anyone with winter and summer tires hanging in the garage 6 months of the year will know, the tires them selves wear out before the insides get brittle due to atmospheric problems.
Nitrogen does NOT leak out more slowly than air. Air is 80-some percent nitrogen and therefore should behave pretty much exactly the same. Other "parts" of air have larger molecules even than nitrogen, so would "leak" even slower.

Let's all try t okeep up here, OK? :biggrin: Nitrogen is simply a great way to make money from people who like fads.

[MUSKOKA800]

I ran at 42# in my sedan for many thousands of kilometres. Put them down to 32 before winter. Removed them all together after on taste of ice (Goodyear LS).

[Kioshi]

I dont want to debate or make it seem like an argument SailDesign, cause your a kool person w/ info and suggestions. I've been using nitrogen since Jan 2008. During warm weather I've noticed that my tires dont loose air as much, as i check my tire pressure every 4 weeks or so. Now during winter Nov-Dec, driving to Tahoe and elsewhere, I've had to fill up my tires at an earlier period (usually it would be 3-4 months in summer w/ nitrogen, vs winter it was 2-3 months). This is just my experience excluding any science ^_^.

My setup, 205/40/17 Falkens~ 45psi nitrogen..

[SailDesign]

I dont want to debate or make it seem like an argument SailDesign, cause your a kool person w/ info and suggestions. I've been using nitrogen since Jan 2008. During warm weather I've noticed that my tires dont loose air as much, as i check my tire pressure every 4 weeks or so. Now during winter Nov-Dec, driving to Tahoe and elsewhere, I've had to fill up my tires at an earlier period (usually it would be 3-4 months in summer w/ nitrogen, vs winter it was 2-3 months). This is just my experience excluding any science ^_^.

My setup, 205/40/17 Falkens~ 45psi nitrogen..

Kioshi - I wouldn't take that as an argument. :smile:
Real-world experience is worth more than science in this kind of discussion, since the real world brings in factors that the lab cannot allow for. Even the use of higher pressures looks silly in the lab, but def feels like it's better on the road. :iono:
Either way - each to his/her own. I guess I'll have to try nitrogen now.

[gid]

how about helium ? Or nitrous oxide ? Take a hit off the valve stems :bellyroll: . :rolleyes:

[SailDesign]

how about helium ? Or nitrous oxide ? Take a hit off the valve stems :bellyroll: . :rolleyes:

Helium is such a tiny atom that it would actually escape faster, and flat your tires quicker. :biggrin:

[gid]

up , up and away , in my beautiful ...... . Get a physical or emotional high or both . :smoking:

[gid]

is it a bird ? A plane ? Why no , it's SUPER YARIS !!! :biggrin: Thanks to helium filled tires . :biggrin:

[SailDesign]

is it a bird ? A plane ? Why no , it's SUPER YARIS !!! :biggrin: Thanks to helium filled tires . :biggrin:

Methinks gid is high already - doesn't NEED helium-filled tires... :smile:

[ddongbap]

I filled my tires with that fixaflat stuff.

Even tho my tires wern't flat.

[gid]

yup , O.D.'d on Life Itself :wink: . Great BLUE OYSTER CULT song , www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAT5ewOfwEI :thumbsup: . Take a listen :biggrin: .

[b_hickman11]

Krayzee - this is pure, unadulterated BS. Nothing personal, this is what everyone is saying, after all. However, if you look up "Boyle's Law", you'll note that ALL gases expand and contract with the heat. It is part of being a gas.
What nitrogen does that is better than plain ol' air is that it doesn't degrade the tires, due to a lack of oxygen. However, as anyone with winter and summer tires hanging in the garage 6 months of the year will know, the tires them selves wear out before the insides get brittle due to atmospheric problems.
Nitrogen does NOT leak out more slowly than air. Air is 80-some percent nitrogen and therefore should behave pretty much exactly the same. Other "parts" of air have larger molecules even than nitrogen, so would "leak" even slower.

Let's all try t okeep up here, OK? :biggrin: Nitrogen is simply a great way to make money from people who like fads.


Actually all the dealers in my area will put N2 in your tires for free...so I guess that blows away your theory.

Oh and BTW, go here for the truth about N2....
http://www.getnitrogen.org/pdf/graham.pdf

[Kioshi]

I guess I'll have to try nitrogen now.

Let me know your experience w/ it.

[cleong]

Actually all the dealers in my area will put N2 in your tires for free...so I guess that blows away your theory.

Oh and BTW, go here for the truth about N2....
http://www.getnitrogen.org/pdf/graham.pdf

I wouldn't pay extra to have pure nitrogen put into my car's tires though.

[SilverBack]

Krayzee - this is pure, unadulterated BS. Nothing personal, this is what everyone is saying, after all. However, if you look up "Boyle's Law", you'll note that ALL gases expand and contract with the heat. It is part of being a gas.
What nitrogen does that is better than plain ol' air is that it doesn't degrade the tires, due to a lack of oxygen. However, as anyone with winter and summer tires hanging in the garage 6 months of the year will know, the tires them selves wear out before the insides get brittle due to atmospheric problems.
Nitrogen does NOT leak out more slowly than air. Air is 80-some percent nitrogen and therefore should behave pretty much exactly the same. Other "parts" of air have larger molecules even than nitrogen, so would "leak" even slower.

Let's all try t okeep up here, OK? Nitrogen is simply a great way to make money from people who like fads.[/url]

Sail, have you tried the nitrogen yet? Still waiting for you to prove me wrong, my friend:biggrin:

[SailDesign]

Actually all the dealers in my area will put N2 in your tires for free...so I guess that blows away your theory.

Oh and BTW, go here for the truth about N2....
http://www.getnitrogen.org/pdf/graham.pdf

Will check out the link - but I'll let my theory be blown away (by nitrogen, presumably?) for now. Can't say I didn't try.... :smile:

[SailDesign]

Oh and BTW, go here for the truth about N2....
http://www.getnitrogen.org/pdf/graham.pdf

Well, that tells it like it is about nitrogen leaking, but it compares it to oxygen (only about 20% of "air") rather than to air itself.

The 4 highest constituents of air are:

Nitrogen N2 78.084%
Oxygen O2 20.947%
Argon Ar 0.934%
Carbon Dioxide CO2 0.033%

That, by my reckoning, makes 99.998% or so. I think we can ignore the rest, as they are all in the part/million area.

If only 20% is oxygen, and the nitrogen doesn't permeate out, then at the first refill with air, there should be only 4% oxygen left. When that has leaked out and been replaced, then there should only be 0.8%, and so on.
So - I am still amazed at the claims,m and will HAVE to try for myself.
As far as it not expanding with heat - THAT is BS. Pure BS. IMNSFHO

[MadMax]

Actually all the dealers in my area will put N2 in your tires for free...so I guess that blows away your theory.

Oh and BTW, go here for the truth about N2....
http://www.getnitrogen.org/pdf/graham.pdf

I have a hard time believing any documents that come from an organization whose mission is to "provide consumers, over-the-road truckers, fleet managers and others about the benefits of using nitrogen in tires."

The Get Nitrogen Institute claims to be a nonprofit organization, but it is clearly a marketing ploy by companies that sell nitrogen. Look at their web site and the list of "sponsors"...what do you think is their agenda? Heck, it is like the beef industry telling us the benefits of eating steak...they sure has hell aren't going to tell you about the down side to it! It is pure propaganda, and I recently took a grad school course in it so to the trained eye it is very obvious. The Get Nitrogen Institute claims that by using nitrogen would save 3,716,692,884.802 gallons of gas per year (from their web site), but they fail to inform you that the same could be achieved by convincing people to regularly checking the air pressure in their tires! That, my friends, is propaganda...the twisting of the truth to convince people of one thing; when different conclusions are also available but not addressed.

Air in tires has worked for over 100 years and whereas it may not keep its pressure as well as nitrogen, it is readily available and free for the most part (I have my own compressor, so filling up my tires is a snap!).

The bottom line is if you want to use nitrogen in your tires, that's great and God bless ya! But the benefits do not exceed those of just using air by enough to make me want to switch.

Cheers! M2

[TgrChica7]

I work in a tire and automotive place and we have all converted to Nitrogen, i've definatley noticed a difference. I don't pay for it either. But normally its $2 per tire and then free for the life of the tire after that. Much better ride than regular air and I won't have to worry about checking the pressure as often. As far as what pressure to keep your tires at.... you should keep your pressure at what the vehicle calls for (the little placard on the inside of the door). Higher pressures could result in a faster and worse blow out if you would happen to hit a pot hole, not saying that lower pressures couldn't do the same but it will be worse with higher. Seen it happen... Tires have a max load on them, but that doesn't mean they should be put up to that pressure. Also causes abnormal wear on the tires if you keep them higher or lower for too long, then you're looking at new tires. BUT in the end it really what you feel you want to keep them at...