Firestone Tire Pressure

4x4Bob · March 10, 2002

My 2001 2500 came equipped with Firestone Stelltex Radial A/T Load range E, LT245/75R16E tires. When delivered the tires had 32 PSI front and rear. After the first Oil change/service at the dealer they came back with 32 PSI front/rear.

The air pressure decal monted on the door jamb of the vehicle states 50 PSI front and 80 PSI rear.

I am now looking for people who have had experience with Firestone Steeltex tires to inquire what pressure that they used to get good mileage out of these tires. I do not want to either blow one out from too little pressure, neither do I want to wear out the center of the tire running max pressure on a unloaded truck.

Off Road Red · March 10, 2002

Welcome to the forum 4x4Bob from my experience working at a tire shop we always ran about 32-35psi in these tires unless they were for heavy duty use that's the only time we pumped 'em up to 80. So I would recommend sticking between 32 and 38psi. If you put 80psi in them make sure that they are 10ply tires or else the sidewall could blow out on you in a hurry as you are filling them.

Victory Red · March 10, 2002

I have the same tires as you do. Same size and everything, but I have a 1500 reg. cab, short bed Z71. My door jam sticker says 50# in front and rear. When I took delivery of this truck there was about 30# in all four tires. I drove home that day and noticed the bed bouncing at about 55 MPH. It felt like I had a two low rear tires. I checked it out when I got home and sure enough, they were low. All four of them. I fired up my compressor and filled all four to 50#, and the truck rides a lot better. No bounce at 55 either. I told my dealer about it, but got the sob story about the guy they just fired for doing that kind of stuff. (Ya, right. Give me a break!).

Anyway, I have been running 50# in mine for 12K miles now, with one rotation at around 7K. The tires seem to be wearing evenly, and still ride good (well, as good as any Firestone anyway). I never haul anything in my truck other than a small toolbox, so no heavy loads have been put on these tires. I plan on replacing them soon, simply because of my experience with Firestone tires in the past. Never did like them. I'll be going with BFGs and some new rims soon anyway.

VR