Tire Pressure

[TaylorMade]

I checked my tire pressure today, and all of em are right at 31 psi. What is the best setting for low profile tires(if that makes a difference) for optimal gas mileage?

[crazie.eddie]

It should be on the driver's side door. I believe it's at 38 psi.

[MichaelDay]

The GT's with the 17" wheels are recommended by Chrysler to run 38 psi cold. The 15 and 16" wheels are recommended by Chrysler to run at a lower pressure (32 psi probably).

With most tires, increasing the tire pressure by 2-3 psi over factory recommendation when cold will slightly decrease rolling resistance with a corresponding decrease in ride comfort. The tendency of most folks is to ignore tire pressure. Therefore, most cars tend to have under-inflated tires. Grossly over-inflated tires will decrease traction due to reduced tire contact area, accelerate wear toward the center of the tire and reduce handling in inclement weather. Grossly under-inflated tires will accelerate wear on the outside edges of the tires, over heat causing premature failure and potentially, roll off the rims during emergency handling maneuvers.

If you are running the stock rims and tire, use the recommended factory pressures + 2 or 3 pounds if increased fuel economy is your objective. If your rims or tire are not stock, many other factors come into play.

[quicksilverdon]

Mike is right on - said it all.[|)]

[RallyDRock]

TM,
being that you dont have the factory wheels and tires i would say the best bet is to look at the side of the tire. Inflating to the max pressure will give you crisp handling and improved fuel mileage at the expense of a slightly firmer ride.
On my factory 16's i used to run 42psi
my 17's get 38psi
the 18s are @ 40

too much and you'll wear the center cause it will baloon
too little and the tires will roll over on turns and youll see more wear on the outer parts of the tire.

be sure to inflate and check pressure first thing in the morning before the car is driven, as tires heat up the pressure increases and you will get incorrect readings .

[nhrapt]

pep boys have a valve cap that reads the air pressure all the time just look at the end of the cover it tells the tire pressure. I think their $7.99 a pack of 4. They also have several different pressure settings you can buy.

[TaylorMade]

Alright, thanks guys. Now I have a reason for my bad gas mileage

[quicksilverdon]

quote:Originally posted by jforce

pep boys have a valve cap that reads the air pressure all the time just look at the end of the cover it tells the tire pressure. I think their $7.99 a pack of 4. They also have several different pressure settings you can buy.

I bought those because I thought they were a great idea - trouble is, I was 8 psi low and they still showed green...

[KingKole02]

Boy these take awhile to read through.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tiretech.jsp

[BMotter]

After seeing the post for the tire pressure caps let me say this about that.

Don't bother with them.

Cute but notoriously inaccurate and useless. Over 40 years doing cars and bikes along with 10 years in automotive parts retail says the best defense is a traditional stick type gauge and start with the manufacturers "suggested" rating. They tend to lean to the low side for ride quality. Read that comfort, if you are in for long haul mileage bump it up a few. But for day to day there are no real gains for upped pressure. Tire type and quality are more an issue for long term tire mileage. Lower profile tires by nature get higher pressures just by the nature of the beast. And you also sacrifice ride for looks when you get into the really thin profiles.

You may have to tweedle with the pressure in 2 pound increments to see where it takes you. Start with the basics and set them to what ever gives you the ride YOU want.