Truck tire pressure

[HiTechTed]

I'm going to ask what should be an obvious question...do I go by the tire pressure rating inside the door panel of my truck, or do I go by the rating on the tire itself? The door rating says 32 front/35 rear, the tires say 44lbs max cold. Since that's a difference of nearly 10lbs I'm kind of curious as to what number should be used, mostly for fuel savings and to prevent premature wear on the tires. I bought the truck used so I'm not sure if the tires are factory or not (they appear fairly new and the truck has less than 20k miles on it).

I try not to ask dumb questions but since this truck is not very kind on the wallet at the gas pump, I want to squeeze as much mpg out of it as I can, but I don't want to over or under inflate the tires.

Thanks.

 

[Diamondpilot]

You should always go buy what is on the door pillar. The tires have a max rating but that is for the tires, they have no idea what vehicle they are going on.

Now I do run my rears on my 1/2 ton Nissan Titan at a few PSI over the door rating of 35PSI. Somewhere around 40PSI but I am towing 9,660# with it each and every weekend about 150 miles.

Chris

 

[tcartwri]

I would totally disagree with that.

Go by the specs on the sidewall of the tire. A light truck tire that is less than 80% inflated is considered a flat tire, and will fail prematurely.

 

[Soundguy]

I use a combo of both. door pillar info UNLESS it exceeds the tire rating.. then always abide by tire max.

soundguy

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would totally disagree with that.

Go by the specs on the sidewall of the tire. A light truck tire that is less than 80% inflated is considered a flat tire, and will fail prematurely.

Not sure where you got your info.:confused2:

Quote from Michelin.
In the vehicle owners manual.
On the vehicle’s door jamb. (Often, a vehicle information placard is located on the door jamb along with the recommended tire inflation pressure.)
Inside the fuel hatch filler flap. (In some vehicles.)
The glove compartment door. (In some vehicles.)

But NOT on the tire. The inflation pressure shown on the tire sidewall is only the maximum tire inflation pressure. In most situations, the vehicle manufacturers recommended tire inflation pressure is shown on the vehicle placard.

http://www.goodyear.com/rv/tirecare/loadinflationtables.html

http://www.michelinman.com/tire-car...re&WT.srch=1&gclid=CJ77qLOZvqkCFUW8Kgod0l94gQ

Chris

 

[Egon]

Wonder if all those folks with the Explorers and exploding Firestone tires followed the door tag for inflation pressure?:

Probably had a very nice ride till they heard the bang.

 

[ultrarunner]

Could have changed... back in the 1960's Cadillacs that we sold from the Dealership listed 16 and 18lbs inflation...

Tire manufacturer's sent out bulletins that using factory specs would provide softest ride at the expense of tire life and high speed handling.

Went to a seminar on tire safety about 20 years ago and said dealer spec is for OEM tire and the best way is to adjust up to 20%, not going over tire max pressure, to get optimum even wear... could also do the wet pad test to see if tire is making full contact...

Also, check inflation before operation.... not after extended high speed use.

All of my info is dated for what it is worth.

 

[paul dyar]

You are telling me to inflate to what is on the door, reguardless of what tire I have on the truck?
Paul

 

[Soundguy]

I'd never inflate past tire sidewall specs

 

[HiTechTed]

You are telling me to inflate to what is on the door, reguardless of what tire I have on the truck?
Paul

That's kind of where I got stuck...but Chris is right, the Michelin site says it plain as day. I would imagine that with a load (like 9660lb) and heat from friction on the road, the pressure probably rises a certain percentage in the tires. I would think that you wouldn't want it rising above the max rating on the tire, so maybe that's why the truck manufacturer sets it at some safe value for all-around use. Beats me but I'll go with that and maybe just up it a little when I'm hauling stuff.