Tire Pressures And Tire Wear

[callyer]

hey guys, I have an unusual obsession with tire pressure, I usually check/ adjust mine weekly (with a very nice/ accurate gauge) and rotate them more often than i need to. I think tires make the biggest difference in your car or truck's ride/ handling/ feel.

I often read "reviews" on different tires, or hear people complaining about their tires that "wore out too fast"

 

For example, my dad just purchased a new silverado, he had an '06 with tires that he hated, and didn't want to get another set because they wore out too quickly.

 

Yet, at the same time, I don't think I have ever seen him with a tire pressure gauge in his hands!!!

 

Just wondering what people think.

[huero626]

He probably had those General Americrap tires, those tires barely lasted me 20,000 miles and I used to rotated them.

[Woodcutter]

I checked monthly, but as a general rule, the crappier the tire = the less I check the air pressure, and vise versa. I have over 14K miles on my stock tires and will be rotating them for the third time within 1-2K more miles.

[superjim]

I answered WEEKLY... BUT...

 

On my 2006, 1500 Express van... I check them every couple of weeks.

Tires currently have 45,000 on them.

Still have pretty good tread.

Uniroyal Tiger Paws

 

On my 2006 Cadillac, I check them every time I drive it... with the TPMS.

Just replaced two tires.

47,000 miles.

Bridgestone Turanza's.

[Nick The Great]

I voted weekly, but that is just with the TMPS. If it were using a gauge, that'll be more like, "When they visually look low." My Dad taught me to look at all 4 tires before getting into a vehicle. Now that was in the days before TMPS's, but I still do it 99% of the time.

 

[Zembonez]

My brother has a similar tire fetish. He is obsessive about them. I tell him that they are JUST TIRES! He gets pissed that mine last just as long as his - every time. He's also one of those freaks of nature that won't go on a 100 mile trip if his truck is close to the 3000 mile oil change...

 

Life is just too frikkin short to sweat all of that crap.

 

I don't think I have ever checked mine but once when they were new. DIC gives me pressure readings that match my SnapOn gage almost to the pound, so I check that once a week or so if (I drive the truck any that week).

 

On my company sled Explorer, they get checked about every 5000 miles when the oil gets changed. The current Continentals on it have 42000+ miles on them, have never been rotated, and look like they will go another 30K.

[C & A s Dad]

Just like Nick said, my Dad taught me to look at them everytime I get in the car. I do this much of the time. My Wife calls me the "Tire pres police" becuase at least once or twice a week I am leaving someone a note or letting them know they have a seriously low tire.

 

Most of you know I travel a great deal and I cannot tell you how many times I have seen people running 80+ MPH on the phone with one tire all but flat. They have no clue.

 

Speaking of rotating. One of the large Firestone Dealers I know very well told me this:

 

A customer came back to the Tire store with 40K on a set of tires he bought from them and he was giving them hell because the tires were wearing so bad. The service writer inspected the tires and told the gentleman he had found the problem. He said: "the problem is you have been rotating them far too often". The customer got very upset, got in his face and said: "that just shows how ignorant you are, I have never rotated them".

[Zembonez]

Pretty funny!

 

I normally rotate tires about every 10K. The only reason they haven't been rotated on the Explorer is they are wearing perfectly at 40K plus. No signs of more front or rear wear. I'm certain this is because it lives on the highway 90% of its miles.

 

I agree 1000% with walking around the vehicle prior to taking off and driving 70+ MPH down the highway. I had a woman next to me in Austin Texas a while back in a Civic. Here right rear tire probably had 10 pounds of air in it and the sidewall was visibly worn from riding on it. I rolled down the window, got her attention, told her that the tire was basically flat, and then watched her make a left at the light and merge onto a 65 mph freeway and disappear.

 

You can't fix stupid.

[csheatz]

I tend to check them about once a month, unless we are going on a long trip (more then 200 miles 1 way) then i check tires and fluids before we leave. I also make it a point to take a look at the tires when walking up to the car/truck, such as leaving work, also give them a look while getting gas. But i run about 34-35psi around town unless I notice a wear issue, and if i am towing i go up to 38psi. I just use my judgement for the needed psi, my truck sits good at only 34psi, and wears good. although the door sticker says 35psi. and i use more psi when towing, my wifes car calls for 35 in the doorm 44 max on the tire, but the tires look really soft with 36psi on them, so i run them at 40, and the tire wear is great... like 30,000 miles and i have 9/32's left on 3 tires and 10/32's left on 1 tire, tires had 10/32's tread when new! and they have been rotated only 3 times, soon to be 4.

[95Sierra2500]

I tend to check them about once a month, unless we are going on a long trip (more then 200 miles 1 way) then i check tires and fluids before we leave. I also make it a point to take a look at the tires when walking up to the car/truck, such as leaving work, also give them a look while getting gas. But i run about 34-35psi around town unless I notice a wear issue, and if i am towing i go up to 38psi. I just use my judgement for the needed psi, my truck sits good at only 34psi, and wears good. although the door sticker says 35psi. and i use more psi when towing, my wifes car calls for 35 in the doorm 44 max on the tire, but the tires look really soft with 36psi on them, so i run them at 40, and the tire wear is great... like 30,000 miles and i have 9/32's left on 3 tires and 10/32's left on 1 tire, tires had 10/32's tread when new! and they have been rotated only 3 times, soon to be 4.

 

This proves the point I've tried to make to MANY people. The sticker on the door for tire pressure basically goes out the window when you switch brands/type of tire on your vehicle. It's a good guide, but that's about it. As a general rule, I look at where that sticker says to set them at, set them there, and adjust according to tire wear/appearance. I had one set of tires on my wife's Jimmy that looked almost flat with 45 psi in them (came on the thing, got rid of them because they were highway tires and we sometimes do some light off-roading in it). Then again, I have seen 12 PSI in the tires on our car (after it had sat for several months) and it looked like it was at 35. The materials/construction/loading of a tire dictate how much air should be in it, not some sticker on the door.

[merlin5577]

I voted monthly. One Sunday a month I go out and check the trucks out completely. All the fluids, tire pressures, etc... I rotate the tires every ten thousand miles and get an alignment/rebalance once a year. I usually get ten to twenty thousand miles more out of a set of tires then the manufacturer rates them for. Ex; 60K out of a 45K set of tires. I always replace all four tires if they fail the penny test.

[Outbacker]

I also checked off monthly. Having the DIC helps monitor them, but once a month, or so, I go out and check the tire pressures on both the truck and the car, and pump them up if needed. The only exception is when we are going camping, and then I check the tires on the truck and the trailer, and normally give the back end a few extra pounds.

[Zembonez]

Sounds like most of us at least have a plan. I don't think you'll find many in here that just neglect to ever check their tires. Most enthusiasts are going to be more picky than that.

[merlin5577]

Sounds like most of us at least have a plan. I don't think you'll find many in here that just neglect to ever check their tires. Most enthusiasts are going to be more picky than that.

 

+1

[callyer]

Pretty funny!

 

I normally rotate tires about every 10K. The only reason they haven't been rotated on the Explorer is they are wearing perfectly at 40K plus. No signs of more front or rear wear. I'm certain this is because it lives on the highway 90% of its miles.

 

I agree 1000% with walking around the vehicle prior to taking off and driving 70+ MPH down the highway. I had a woman next to me in Austin Texas a while back in a Civic. Here right rear tire probably had 10 pounds of air in it and the sidewall was visibly worn from riding on it. I rolled down the window, got her attention, told her that the tire was basically flat, and then watched her make a left at the light and merge onto a 65 mph freeway and disappear.

 

You can't fix stupid.

 

Sorry Guys.. I posted a poll and then didn't check in......... I had JURY duty today... and lucky me, I get to spend 3 more days there At least the lady judge is kinda cute!!!

 

C & A ... you probably drive about as much as I do.. I think that is where part of my "phobia" stems from.. Is just seeing that people are basically ignorant about tire pressures out on the road everyday..

I just can't stop thinking about the possibility of a lack of maintenance on my part possibly being the cause of injury of some random stranger, or worse yet; my wife and kids.

 

The TPMS is awesome, and i am glad to see it available on so many vehicles now....