For those coming out of the winter thaw

[RipRocK]

Make sure to re-check the tire pressure. I just did that over lunchtime and mine were all at 35PSI! I've been driving like this ever since the weather's been warming up, which would've been close to 2 weeks. Not good, not good.

[colorider]

Originally posted by RipRocK
Make sure to re-check the tire pressure. I just did that over lunchtime and mine were all at 35PSI! I've been driving like this ever since the weather's been warming up, which would've been close to 2 weeks. Not good, not good.

Ah - what's wrong with 35PSI? I run 36-38 usually, but many run in the 32-35 range for a "softer" ride. Did you check them when they were "cold".

[RipRocK]

colorider, not exactly when "cold". So, I did make provisions for it by filling it to about 33PSI. Is that about right for a set of non-cold tires? I hadn't whizzing through town either when I checked the pressure either.

[colorider]

Originally posted by RipRocK
colorider, not exactly when "cold". So, I did make provisions for it by filling it to about 33PSI. Is that about right for a set of non-cold tires? I hadn't whizzing through town either when I checked the pressure either.

I'm guessing that when truly cold (say after sitting in the shade for several hours - or in your garage - your 33psi tires are probably down to about 29-30. There is a formula someplace that I have seen for how much tire pressure should increase after the tire warms up. I'll see if I can find it again.

[colorider]

This may not really work for our tires, but here is how it is recommended on 2-wheelers:

"A good rule of thumb to use when working out the correct tire pressure for maximum grip is that the pressure should rise 10% from cold to hot (take a gauge with you next ride and measure the hot pressure immediately after you stop). If it rises more than 10%, add air - if it rises less, reduce pressure. The cold pressure required will vary depending on the ambient conditions and how hard you are riding."

For me (on the Pilot), I simply check them cold (overnight or parked for several hours) and carry 36-38PSI. I am not exceeding the rating of the tire and it seems to provide a good balance of ride to mileage.

YMMV

[dsrpilot]

Get a set of TireMinders folks. Check your tire pressure at a glance...



TireMinders

Rid yourself of the drudgery of carrying that tire pressure guage in your glove box. Realize a more spacious ridinging experience. Keep your hands clean of the dirt and grime that builds up on your valve stem cap.

Yes, all this and more can be yours for a measley $9.95 plus shipping and handling.



Void where prohibited. Your mileage may vary.

[colorider]

Originally posted by dsrpilot
Get a set of TireMinders folks. Check your tire pressure at a glance...



TireMinders

Rid yourself of the drudgery of carrying that tire pressure guage in your glove box. Realize a more spacious ridinging experience. Keep your hands clean of the dirt and grime that builds up on your valve stem cap.

Yes, all this and more can be yours for a measley $9.95 plus shipping and handling.



Void where prohibited. Your mileage may vary.

I could relate some horror stories of these little gems......

I'll stick with my trusty guage - I don't mind getting my hands dirty one bit!!

[kemosabe]

Originally posted by colorider


I could relate some horror stories of these little gems......

I'll stick with my trusty guage - I don't mind getting my hands dirty one bit!!

Speaking of getting your hands dirty, or more to the point, keeping them clean... a box of those Latex rubber surgical gloves in the glove compartment (or wherever you keep supplies) comes in handy for checking the fluids and tire pressure since they keep your hands clean from the grime and oil... Okay, no jokes from the Peanut Gallery...

[RipRocK]

Just one question. If you're gonna error, is it better to error on the lower or the higher side of the PSI number? Which makes the tires wear out faster? Which gives better traction? Thanks.

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by kemosabe

Speaking of getting your hands dirty, or more to the point, keeping them clean... a box of those Latex rubber surgical gloves in the glove compartment (or wherever you keep supplies) comes in handy for checking the fluids and tire pressure since they keep your hands clean from the grime and oil... Okay, no jokes from the Peanut Gallery...

Good idea!

[RipRocK]

Originally posted by kemosabe
Speaking of getting your hands dirty, or more to the point, keeping them clean... a box of those Latex rubber surgical gloves in the glove compartment (or wherever you keep supplies) comes in handy for checking the fluids and tire pressure since they keep your hands clean from the grime and oil... Okay, no jokes from the Peanut Gallery...

those gloves should be lubed before use

[kemosabe]

Originally posted by RipRocK

those gloves should be lubed before use

Your wife told me that your doctor doesn't use gloves, RipRocK...

[RipRocK]

Originally posted by kemosabe
Your wife told me that your doctor doesn't use gloves, RipRocK...

hehehehe....where in the world do you find these pics so fast? It's like you just pull them out of your a**

[kemosabe]

Originally posted by RipRocK

hehehehe....where in the world do you find these pics so fast? It's like you just pull them out of your a**

I did pull them outta my A$$... but I used the lubed gloves...

[colorider]

Originally posted by RipRocK
Just one question. If you're gonna error, is it better to error on the lower or the higher side of the PSI number? Which makes the tires wear out faster? Which gives better traction? Thanks.

I would rather error on the higher side, simply because if you error on the lower side your tires will run hotter and wear faster (plus your gas mileage will take a hit). Proper pressure will give you optimum traction in day-to-day driving. There may be situations where you might want to use a lower pressure for slow-speed "off road" stuff, but that is an exception.

Good luck!