Air pressure

[914x4sport]

Anyone know where I should be as far as air pressure? On the side of the tire it says about the max load at 50psi,but Im running at about 45 psi and my tires still look like their sitting a little too high/full. I have a 91 sport and I know my tires should probably be aired down to account for the light weight of my vehicle in comparison to the size of the tires,but I dont know to what psi exactly. Anyone else running 31-10.5-15 at KO's on their 91-94 sport ? If so what pressure are they runnin? AS always,Thanks for the info...

 

[mdrut]

Play with it...Get a piece of poster board and some chaulk..Lightly "dust" a section of the tire..Pull onto the paper slowly..Then read the print...To low of pressure and it will be cupped in the center...To high it will be missing the out side edges of the tread...Remember for highway driving, you want the highest pressure possible without running on the center of the tire, low pressure will result in excessive heat and possible tire failure...Hope this helps..

 

[Maniak]

The 50 PSI on the tire is the maximum cold pressure.. Not what you should be running..

When we were running 31" tire We ran 32-35 psi..

I can't remember how much the explorer weighs (first generation).. but one way to get close is to do the following.

lets assume your explorer weighs 4000 lbs.. and you tires are good for 2000 lbs at 50psi (I know these aren't right but you will get the idea)...

@ 50psi you tires could hold 8000 lbs.. (4*2000)..
If your Explorer is 4000 lbs then your explorer is only 50% of the max weight..
50% of 50psi is 25 psi.. that would mean you only need 25psi..

These number aren't right for you (I think the 31 ATKo is good for 1800 lbs @ 50 but I can't remember)..

Once you are close you can do do the chalk method (the most acurate)

Mark

 

[jimbo74]

having experience with tires, i too, would say 32-36 ish 32 for cushier ride and 36 for slight increase in fuel economy

 

[914x4sport]

Great!

Thanks guys apperently the guy at tire kingdom just read the side of the tire and inflated it to 45 psi, Ill do the chalk thing right now...I just picked up the new four wheeler mag today and they had an article specifically on this topic. Great review in it on different tires for different needs....Later

 

[srpauliesr]

Chalk

When do you do the chalk test? Tires hot or cold? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mdrut]

Hot...

 

[srpauliesr]

Thanks! That could take a while up here, still snowing.
(Had enough!)

 

[mdrut]

Normal road temp...Adjust according to the season... The thing to remember is, you don't want low pressure at highway speeds..Even if is 20 degrees out side, there will still be road friction, which causes heat build up..

 

[srpauliesr]

Gotch Ya. Just kidding about it being cold. Thanks again.