I've got a quick question about air pressure in the tires...
my corolla says it needs to be like 62psi or something, which i've heard is way too high...
then i've heard that no matter what you should keep it at 35psi for any compact car...
i dont know the reccomended psi for my fb....

i've always been paranoid that i might damage the innertube.. so any light on the subject would be much appreciated!

 

62 psi is crazy unless it's a bike tire or an 18-wheeler you got there.

You need to look in two places to get a good starting point for the correct tire pressures for your car and tires.

First, look for the sticker in the door jamb that should have recommended tire pressures.

Second, look at the sidewall of the tires themselves and see what the highest safe pressure is. These days, it's about 44 psi. That's COLD tire pressure, the only time you should be making qualitative changes if not on a track.

Now, shoot for a number between them and then start tuning. For example. The 13" stock size tires on my '84 RX-7 say they can endure 46 psi cold maximum. They are cheapy Nankook's. Recommended pressure is a ridiculous 28 psi.

I started at 32 psi front and rear and then kept mental notes of its handling behaviors during the drive to work. Did the back end squirm or feel like the sidewalls were sliding over themselves? Did the front want to keep going forward despite a deliberate, medium slow turn in on a fast corner requiring more correction than seemed reasonable? Did the mileage improve?

Right now, I keep 36 psi up front and 37 psi in rear. It's very stable through tight corners at medium speeds and my gas mileage went from 18's to 20's in the mpg category.

BUT EACH CAR AND TIRE COMBINATION REACTS DIFFERENTLY, so this is just a first step recommendation, not a concrete answer.

And with 46 posts, what the heck are you still doing here in the New Member tech board asking questions...?

I'll grant you it's a safer and more sane crowd but the birdie has to leave the nest sometime...

Mario III

 

wow geez, thanks a lot for all the advice!

haha yeahh.. 46 posts, and quite a few years.. i just dont feel like getting flamed for asking such "noobish" questions... being a self proclaimed car fanatic...

 

how do you drift with TOFU?

 

Watch Initial D and you'll find out, and probly a lot more about cars/drifting.

unless you want a very quick description XD

 

I saw that you can drift with Mickey D's Food trays..if you have a FWD.(put under rear wheels and lock ebrake!)
TOFU though must be real Slippery..haha!
I am gonna try Feta Cheese on the rear tires!
............
I run 40psi in my tires(Falken 512's)..seem to be happy with that.
Cheers Dave.

 

...and he thought he was going to be safe here...

Treadwear will also tell you if you've gone too far in increasing the cold tire pressure. Right now, at the 36/37 psi settings, wear is still even across the thread.

 

ahhh, thats a great indicator! thanks!