(T) Tyre Pressures

You can't really argue with basic physics. As soon as you remove air from the tyre then the footprint must increase. If you're simply saying a greater load is taken by the outside of the footprint at lower pressures then fine

Obviously, there comes a point when the increased grip you get from low tyre pressures is negated and in any case it's a really bad idea to go outside tyre manufacturers recommendations (they should know):

1. poor handling due to soft sidewall
2. very high rolling resistance
3. heavy & uneven tyre wear

Go the other way and raise the pressure too high then the footprint reduces to the point that the tyre loses optimum grip with the tarmac. Not an issue unless you like those windy curves

mine are at 29 psi all round, im on 15 inch steelies, book said would be ok, will possibly top up now

I find it quite scary the number of cars you see around with obviously soft tyres with the sidewalls rubbed away as a result.

Tyres are things which need to be taken care of, checked often for cuts and damage and pressure - which should be run at or around recommended pressures.

I was nearly involved in a big accident on a motorway not so long ago, as a result of a driver not taking care of his tyres, and being numb enough not to realise he had a totally flat rear tyre at 90mph. That was the end of his car and crash barrier, along with a couple of passing cars too. I just narrowly avoided it, as it all happened a few metres infront of me.

So it pays to know your tyres are in their best condition, at all times!

Yes, i agree with you there.

You need to get a happy compromise dont you, too low and you will scrub off the edges in no time, more heat will be built up which increases the chance of a blow out, steering will be more vague, grip could also be effected as the tyre is rolling over onto its sidewall and its making extra drag.

Too much can cause a hard ride, wear to the centre of the tyre, more likely to damage an over inflated tyre front driving up/against curbs (although just as easy with underinflation), blow outs can also be common, as when the tyre heats up, it will be at an even greater pressure.

So all im saying, is tyres are not to be played with, they need care

i always prefer to run tyres harder, the old allys i had, 225/40/18"s were running 38-39psi and tread wear was perfect, these were 8j rims,,

the new alloys with new rubber seem to run best about 37psi all round,


blow outs scare me, and you're far more likely to have a blow out with an under inflated tyre than one running harder,

Indeed you are yes, plus if you do get a puncture a high pressure gives you a bit of leway before it starts causing a problem.

Id opt for over rather than underinflated as its safer, although the correct pressure is best obviously.

Ive upped my Stilos pressures today, to 35 front and 33 rear, so ill see how i get on!

For those of us with tyre pressure gauges that read in bars this thread is a little pointless unless somebody posts a conversion table.

Bar makes no sense to me I always work in PSI

This: http://www.centauro-owners.com/articles/psibar.html should help.

1 bar is roughly 15PSI.

checked mine and i have a piece of metal in one. great stuff

....and we all know what's going to happen when you pull it out

Dont do it!!

The tracking has been checked, it was toeing out as i thought, so its been adjusted now. Also the wheels have been swapped front to back, so ill keep an eye on the wear.

cant, they well imbedded, but tyre not deflating, but needs checking

Damn right - http://www.fiatforum.com/stilo/10861...ml#post1148169

Don't panic BBS, it's called a "wheel". There should be one in every tyre, if you look carefully.....

That is nasty Looks like it held up well though! The stilo does have a very good safety record

It shows how easy things happen though.