Winter Tire PSI
12-18-2001, 03:46 PM
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,941
I'd be inclined to just run them at regular stock PSI or whatever you usually run.... then again, the winters are usually pretty mild here (screwed up weather recently tho).
If it snows a lot or is icy I'd probably run a lower tire pressure (assuming you don't do lots of high-speed driving ->heat->failure) so that the tire squishes down a bit more to give you some extra contact patch and molds around the bumps a bit better.
If it snows a lot or is icy I'd probably run a lower tire pressure (assuming you don't do lots of high-speed driving ->heat->failure) so that the tire squishes down a bit more to give you some extra contact patch and molds around the bumps a bit better.
12-18-2001, 06:28 PM
#4
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Originally posted by Bman
I'd be inclined to just run them at regular stock PSI or whatever you usually run.... then again, the winters are usually pretty mild here (screwed up weather recently tho).
If it snows a lot or is icy I'd probably run a lower tire pressure (assuming you don't do lots of high-speed driving ->heat->failure) so that the tire squishes down a bit more to give you some extra contact patch and molds around the bumps a bit better.
I'd be inclined to just run them at regular stock PSI or whatever you usually run.... then again, the winters are usually pretty mild here (screwed up weather recently tho).
If it snows a lot or is icy I'd probably run a lower tire pressure (assuming you don't do lots of high-speed driving ->heat->failure) so that the tire squishes down a bit more to give you some extra contact patch and molds around the bumps a bit better.
like I said, it's usually mild here.
12-19-2001, 02:14 AM
#9
Member
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 68
Standard Pressure
Inflate your tires per the owner's manual. Reducing tire pressure in the winter comes from the days of bias ply tires, and it did work (did I just let on how old I am?).
However, with radials, standard inflation holds the tread open properly and allows the tire to operate as designed (optimizing traction, snow and mud release, water dispersion, etc). If anything, soft radials heat up more and wear quicker on the outside edges.
The best cure for winter traction problems is four snows.
However, with radials, standard inflation holds the tread open properly and allows the tire to operate as designed (optimizing traction, snow and mud release, water dispersion, etc). If anything, soft radials heat up more and wear quicker on the outside edges.
The best cure for winter traction problems is four snows.
12-19-2001, 12:06 PM
#12
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,941
Hmm, I don't know about that. They say for deep, fresh snow skinny tires are better because they concentrate more force on the ground and compact the snow better.
But what if the snow is already compacted (like sometimes in the city)? Wouldn't increased contact patch be desirable then because you can't really dig into the snow much more, and you'd have more of the rubber and tread in contact with the ground (snow)?
I suppose it comes down to which is gives you more; contact patch or ground pressure.... Come to think of it, this is starting to sound a lot like the weight/grip tradeoff debate with the wheel size thread!
But what if the snow is already compacted (like sometimes in the city)? Wouldn't increased contact patch be desirable then because you can't really dig into the snow much more, and you'd have more of the rubber and tread in contact with the ground (snow)?
I suppose it comes down to which is gives you more; contact patch or ground pressure.... Come to think of it, this is starting to sound a lot like the weight/grip tradeoff debate with the wheel size thread!
12-19-2001, 12:13 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,117
To me, even if the surface were hard packed snow >>
Originally posted by Bman
Hmm, I don't know about that. They say for deep, fresh snow skinny tires are better because they concentrate more force on the ground and compact the snow better.
But what if the snow is already compacted (like sometimes in the city)? Wouldn't increased contact patch be desirable then because you can't really dig into the snow much more, and you'd have more of the rubber and tread in contact with the ground (snow)?
I suppose it comes down to which is gives you more; contact patch or ground pressure.... Come to think of it, this is starting to sound a lot like the weight/grip tradeoff debate with the wheel size thread!
Hmm, I don't know about that. They say for deep, fresh snow skinny tires are better because they concentrate more force on the ground and compact the snow better.
But what if the snow is already compacted (like sometimes in the city)? Wouldn't increased contact patch be desirable then because you can't really dig into the snow much more, and you'd have more of the rubber and tread in contact with the ground (snow)?
I suppose it comes down to which is gives you more; contact patch or ground pressure.... Come to think of it, this is starting to sound a lot like the weight/grip tradeoff debate with the wheel size thread!
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