winter tire pressure
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winter tire pressure
I just got my nokian hakka Q's. They're the first set of true winter tires
I've ever bought and damn they are soft compared to summer tires.
Anyway, does anyone have recommendations for tire pressure? Does
it vary from what I run with my summer tires? Thanks.
-p.s. Anyone know where I can get some cheap mazda wheels? I can't find them
anywhere around here.
I've ever bought and damn they are soft compared to summer tires.
Anyway, does anyone have recommendations for tire pressure? Does
it vary from what I run with my summer tires? Thanks.
-p.s. Anyone know where I can get some cheap mazda wheels? I can't find them
anywhere around here.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Yeah whatever
Re: winter tire pressure (ajbones)
I'm interested too.
In the absence of any specific reason to do otherwise, I generally start with cold pressures set as recommended by the auto manufacturer (for the ITR, that's 35F/33R), and then change them only if there's a specific reason to do otherwise. But if anyone knows better than this, please share.
The other thing you need to do in winter is to monitor your tire pressures, which will vary as the ambient temperature changes. As it notes on the Tire Rack website:
"Winter Air Pressure...You Can't Just Set It...And Then Forget It
Tires don't really carry the weight of your vehicle...the air pressure inside them does. And maintaining the correct air pressure is a requirement for good handling, traction and durability. The tire pressure recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual or on the tire information placard is a "cold" pressure, so it should be checked in the morning before you drive more than a few miles.
The fall and early winter months are the most critical times to check your tire's inflation pressures because air is a gas which contracts as the days get shorter and the temperatures get colder.
For every 10 deg. Fahrenheit change in outside temperature, your tire's inflation pressure will change by about 1 psi (up with higher and down with lower temperatures)
In most parts of the country the typical difference between average summer and winter temperatures is about -50 deg. F. That difference results in a loss of about 5 psi, which will sacrifice tire performance and treadwear!
If you are fortunate enough to park in an attached or heated garage you will also "lose" pressure when you leave its warmth and venture into the real world outside. So add 1 psi of "cold" tire pressure to compensate for each 10 deg. temperature difference.
And finally, don't forget to keep your valve caps on. If left off, moisture can freeze in the valve and allow the air to escape."
In the absence of any specific reason to do otherwise, I generally start with cold pressures set as recommended by the auto manufacturer (for the ITR, that's 35F/33R), and then change them only if there's a specific reason to do otherwise. But if anyone knows better than this, please share.
The other thing you need to do in winter is to monitor your tire pressures, which will vary as the ambient temperature changes. As it notes on the Tire Rack website:
"Winter Air Pressure...You Can't Just Set It...And Then Forget It
Tires don't really carry the weight of your vehicle...the air pressure inside them does. And maintaining the correct air pressure is a requirement for good handling, traction and durability. The tire pressure recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual or on the tire information placard is a "cold" pressure, so it should be checked in the morning before you drive more than a few miles.
The fall and early winter months are the most critical times to check your tire's inflation pressures because air is a gas which contracts as the days get shorter and the temperatures get colder.
For every 10 deg. Fahrenheit change in outside temperature, your tire's inflation pressure will change by about 1 psi (up with higher and down with lower temperatures)
In most parts of the country the typical difference between average summer and winter temperatures is about -50 deg. F. That difference results in a loss of about 5 psi, which will sacrifice tire performance and treadwear!
If you are fortunate enough to park in an attached or heated garage you will also "lose" pressure when you leave its warmth and venture into the real world outside. So add 1 psi of "cold" tire pressure to compensate for each 10 deg. temperature difference.
And finally, don't forget to keep your valve caps on. If left off, moisture can freeze in the valve and allow the air to escape."
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dgrave
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Dec 19, 2004 09:26 PM
