Adjusting air pressure based on load rating

Wheel and tire information and upgrade discussions
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dragon64
Posts: 131
Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:42 am

Adjusting air pressure based on load rating

Post by dragon64 »

Put my snow tires on the other day and the tires would chirp with very light throttle input on dry pavement and a little greasy in the wet. Thinking about it I've never had traction issues with Toyo tire in the last 20+ years but the GO-2 was not available in a 205-55-16 so was the first time running on a Garit KX so just assumed the traction issue was related either the new car or different model of tires or both. Never thought to look at this before even though I am in the industry.

O.E tire have a load rating of 89 and inflation @32psi . Snowtire are a 94 XL (extra load). Consulted several tire manufactures load rating charts and came up with the following pressure adjustments

Load Rate 89 = 32psi on '09 Vibe
94 = 30psi
94XL = 27-28psi
2009 Vibe 1.8L Manual - DBW controller, Hydraulic engine damper, S/S brakeline retrokit,22mm solid Rear ARB, urethane rear coil dampers, Front strut bar with brake cylinder brace, PIAA 410 driving lights, PRM Intake Wilwood front brakes, Lexus hood lifts
star_deceiver
Posts: 5802
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:49 pm
Location: Airdrie, AB

Re: Adjusting air pressure based on load rating

Post by star_deceiver »

I have to adjust quite a bit when going from the summers to winters. They try and break free when taking off, dry or wet... but they're designed for snow and ice and work very well as the temps drop!

I'd be leery of running the (any) tires below 32psi.

A lot of reviewers on a few sites seem to echo your complaints on dry/wet handling.

Has it snowed since you put them on?
2021 Ram 1500 4x4 CCSB
2019 Ram 3500 4x4 CCSB srw 8HP75 (traded in - 04/15/21)
2016 Ram 3500 4x4 RCLB Dually w/stick (traded in - 05/10/19)
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 Cheyenne 4x4 (Traded in - 03/30/16)
2009 Vibe. (Traded in - 12/12/12)
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