Tire pressure for Blizzaks on 16", Tire Pressure Monitor lit up today

[SpaceGal]

I switched in my snow tires yesterday. I didn't drive all that much between that time but this evening my tire pressure monitor light came on. I don't think there's a flat or a slow leak since that happened to me before. I checked my tire pressures and they are at 35 right now. I know the side of the door says 32, but is it different for winter tires. Is the over-inflation what cause the tire pressure light to come on?Should I deflate down to 32 and reset?? Sorry for sounding all clueless but I'm not really car tire saavy.Thank you in advanced for your insight.

[GMJAP]

Make sure you reset the tire pressure monitor any time you change the tires, rotate them, or change the pressure more than a few PSI. If it wasn't reset after putting on your snow tires, that's probably what caused it. Just reset it per the Owner's Manual.(PS - The tire pressure monitor system uses the ABS speed sensors to know how fast the tires rotate. When a tire loses air, its diameter changes and so it rotates at a different speed than normal. Its important to reset the system whenever changes are made to the tires so it knows what's "normal". What is normal for your snow tires is probably quite different than what was normal for your other tires, so it warned you because the snow tires were rotating at different speeds that what it expected.)

[ragingfish]

32 psi, regardless of which tires are on.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by 13Vibe03 »Why?Manufacturers determine recommended pressures for a reason. It is their recommendation for a pressure that provides the best balance of safety, handling, and comfort. Different tires being installed does not invalidate their recommendations.

[keithvibe]

the AWD vibes require different PSI in front and rear tires.

[ragingfish]

I wasn't aware of that...thanks...But i'm pretty sure SG has a non-AWD...

[engineertwin2]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Different tires being installed does not invalidate their recommendations. I totally agree with ragingfish here. You can change the pressure to whatever you want, but I really suggest staying with the lower of either the manufacturers suggested pressure or the tire sidewall rating.If you do inflate the tires to a higher pressure, you will have a stiffer ride and reduced handling, although you will probably see an increase in gas mileage, you will probably also see increased wear in the middle of the tread. If you under inflate the tires, you will have more "grip", but run the risk of overheating your tires. Also, due to sidewall construction, underinflated tires tend to wear on the shoulders.

[SpaceGal]

Thank you all for your help. I brought the tires down to 32 and it's a better ride. I also reset the tire pressure monitor and so far things seem okay. Thank you.

[Mavrik]

32psi is recommended... however when I autocross I run 45 in the front and 40 in the rear. I change that when done of course I would argue that more air pressure decreases grip and handling. I know from first hand experience that is not correct information. A stiffer tire has better handling and traction over an under inflated tire. If a tire is under inflated yes there is more tread on the ground but at the same time the tire can roll onto its sidewall this damaging the tire and resulting in the wrong part of the tire on the ground. I have had better handling, grip and traction with more air in the tires. The tire stays upright, no tire roll and thus keeping more of its tread on the ground. This results little to no tire damage on tight or quick cornering. The ride of course will be rougher but thats about it. My tires are also rated at a max of 50psi so running 45psi is all fine and dandy.

[jsimon63]

Now, I know that this post is as old as the hills... but I was looking for tire pressure monitor info and found this post. I would like to say, some of you have the tire pressue thing just about figured out but would like to make something clear that if misunderstood can be dangerous. The tire pressure value list in the manual or onn the door jam for your car is the recommend tire pressure due to the weight and pay load capabilities of it too. Each tire has a max pressure. If you car was heavier then you would need more air to make the tire sit properly on the road... rad that as all of the tread touch uniformly. Case in point.... I had a jacked up Geo Tracker, when I put 31/10.50-15 on it and inflated them to what my door jam sticker said.... It was like riding on four basket balls! These tires are made for trucks and jeeps that weighed in a lot more then my Tracker. If you drive it through water and look at the tread pattern left behind, it would be the center of the tire touching. If I air them down to just 15 pounds, the tread pattern would show the entire tread touched. The side walls were stiff enough to support this light Tracker. So, in this case it's ok to adjust the air pressure, but only to make it have the most amount of contact with the road. Our Vibes, using simular tires to factory tires should use the door jam value because the weight of the car and the side wall construction was all taken into account when the engineers came up with the tire pressure. Yeah you will save gas over inflating. But you are only riding on the center of the tire which decreases your traction. Underinflated creates a bunch of heat and cause the tire to "Pucker" and raise the edges of the tire but not the center causing less traction, overly flexable sidewalls that are dangerous in emergency quick manuvers and possible instant loss of air due to tire rolling off the rim. Never go by the side wall max air pressure unless it is a lesser value then the door jam value. If this is the case.... you have the wrong tires for your car! Now back to why I came here looking.... The tire pressure monitor works off the abs and not an in wheel censor. I switched to snows today on the wifes06 and I used steel wheels I bought from a memeber for this purpose but on my 04 that got T-bone... go check out the photos in wrecked Vibe pics. I was concerned that the wheel censor was going to be a problem, thanks to info at the top of this thread, I don't need to worry, just reset the sysytem. Thanks!