Stupid tire pressure question.

[johnymac]

My truck hasn't been handling as I had expected. I let the tire shop I bought my tires from balance and rotate the tires every summer. Tonight I checked my tire pressure just for the hell of it. Only 30 lbs. in each.

I have BF Goodrich T/A's 275 60 15's.

I am no expect on air pressure but 30 lbs seems awfully low to me, was thinking of increasing to 34 or 35 lbs. 35 lbs being the max of the tire.

Any suggestions? Should they be at 30 lbs?

Thanks guys!!

[Zkast]

With that big of a tire, 30lbs will ride good. 28 would be a bit low and 35 would be a bit high (for the ride I like). I'd say anything between 30 to 40 is acceptable but dont go below 30.

I've always run mine at 32 as a general rule. But, also keep in mind most gauges are inaccurate and will vary +-2psi so they may have actually set them at 32.

[chevroletrucks]

How often do you check pressure? Most tires that size are rated for 35 psi. thats probably what they were set at. Keep in mind most tires will lose 1 psi a month on average.

[oldyeller]

I would bump them up to 35, it will probably help. many people dont like a rough ride thats why most shops leave them a few pounds low. Heck when I bought my yukon, went on a test drive and it felt like it would tip over going around a corner. Checked the air pressure and they only had 27 psi each. tire called for max of 50 psi.. aired'em up and it rode like a new truck. give it a try and see what happens..

[Longhorn Man]

Here is the word from both Good Year, and michilin. (I did a report in High School)
Take a short trip down a road at your typical cruise speed. (70-ish??) After a few miles, check the temp of the tread. If the center is warm, you need to deflate a little, if the center is cool, then inflate. You are trying to get a uniform temp across the tread of the tire.
For optimum traction for lauching on radials (which may or may not be the same ac freeway) Do a nice healthy burn ou, and inspect the patch you leave...if the center is dark, your over pressure, if the center is light, your underpressure.
I run the same tire you are on the back of my GMC, and I have found the optimum psi on a 9.5 inch rim (size matters alot on this) is 35 psi.

[johnymac]

Thanks for all the info guys. I am planning on increasing the pressure first thing in the morning.

Thanks so much for the quick responses!

[bobs409]

I have 275's on the back of my Chevelle and have found that the centers wear if you keep 32-35 in them. I have mine down to 25 now! I've been told that the wider the tire, the less air you should use for this reason. I don't know... Still experimenting.

[68 Suburban]

I have LT tires on mine and they call for 50 lbs.

[Gee_Emm]

Whoo hoo I win, I fill mine up to 65psi on my 3/4 ton. Its a damn rough ride but thats what it calls for.

[johnymac]

Ok with 35 lbs. according to the gauge I used. The truck is much more responsive. A bit on the rough side, but I rather corner and handle better than have a comfortable ride. It's amazing how such little things can affect the handling.

Thanks to all.

[Longhorn Man]

Originally posted by bobs409 I have 275's on the back of my Chevelle and have found that the centers wear if you keep 32-35 in them. I have mine down to 25 now! I've been told that the wider the tire, the less air you should use for this reason. I don't know... Still experimenting.

Are you running 7 or 8 inch rims on it? that will cause the center balding.
The wider the tire the lass psi...that is bad advice. Like I said, my original reply was given to my by 2 tire manufactureres...not dealers. I had to send letters to the HMFIC of both companies. (Head Mother Friker In Charge)

[johnymac]

I am running 8" rims.

I am afraid that if I run 25 psi I may handle even worse than at 30 were I started from. I only drive the truck maybe 3000 miles a summer.
Perhaps I will try 25 psi and see how I like.
If I don't, I will let them wear and be prepared to replace in a few summers.

Thanks for the advise!

[Zkast]

Be careful running too low of a pressure. It will cause belt seperation on radial tires and lowers your traction ratio.

[scott's69]

Dont go below 32!!! Too many problems will surface. Youre better off at a safe 35. Trust me ive tried.

[PICKMUP]

I just checked a customer's 1/2T yesterday. 275-60-15 BFG TAs on 8" ralleys. He keeps them at 35lbs. The fronts, with the eng weight on them, are wearing even. The rears, with less weight on them, are wearing the center 4" of the tire a lot more than the outside of the tread. Air & weight effect how the tires ride & wear!

[dwaite72lnghrn]

Most passenger tires should run about 32 unless you are loading it up the inflate to 35. Truck tires should be set for the load they are set to carry. On mine no load I run around 40 (load range D) when I run a full load I run 60lb If you check the tire charts run the pressure for the load. If you run an empty truck all the time keep the pressure at 32lb. If you go on a long trip high speed running 35lb will give you better milage and longer tire life on the passenger tires 275-60-15. If you run 65 in the load range E all the time with no load you have a really hard ride and shorter tire life. LT type tires have more sidewall plies and give a stiff ride to start. JMHO