Over-inflating... how much is to much?

[GasSavers_RoadWarrior]

Well having done the experiment on my tires, I'd say there is a point where handling gets worse, and I'd think that 100psi in stunt cars is aimed at keeping the tire on the rim when strangely loading it, whether through rolling on 2 wheels or skidding.

I do believe that over inflation has saved my arse on several occasions, the stock inflation would take half a second to respond to steering input, but I've been able to "teleport" the vehicle I've been driving to the next lane to miss dopey drivers trying to merge into me by inches... with the delay in response with the stock inflation, I'd have had contact a couple of times by now I'm sure.

[theholycow]

Yup, I agree. On my pickup, I run 80psi all around. The rear, when empty, can get a little skittish, especially in low traction conditions or on rough pavement. I could probably run the rear at 65 without losing any FE or tire life, but the occasional oversteer is fun and exciting for me.

[BBsGarage]

Originally Posted by JoeBob

Back 35 or so years ago, I drove a Corvair. The sticker specified about 15 psi for the front and 26 psi for the rear. I ran 20 psi in the front and 40 in the rear. Usually had junky used tires...never a problem. BTW, the reason for the pressure differential on that car was to introduce a bit of understeer to keep the car from getting away from you in precarious situations. The problems people had with Corvairs often came from not maintaining that pressure differential...thus the first chapter in Nader's "Unsafe at Any Speed"

WOW! you drove a corvair and survived?
personally I think corvairs rock!
But not from a FE point of view.

[GasSavers_RoadWarrior]

Originally Posted by BBsGarage

But not from a FE point of view.

I dunno, if you took a Corvair, and crossed it with a Pinto, downsized the brakes, motor from a trabant, and put a row of spikes on the dashboard... you'd have the perfect economy and safety car... or at least one that would make people really concentrate on driving more slowly and safely.

[BBsGarage]

Originally Posted by RoadWarrior

I dunno, if you took a Corvair, and crossed it with a Pinto, downsized the brakes, motor from a trabant, and put a row of spikes on the dashboard... you'd have the perfect economy and safety car... or at least one that would make people really concentrate on driving more slowly and safely.

Or a car for the next Mad Max movie.

[rgathright]

Just wanted to followup and say that my tires are now at 40PSI and behaving fine. No bulges on the sidewalls. The Jeep really rolls alot easier now.

[monroe74]

I think it's very cool that you have a Corvair.

I like a lot of things about Ralph Nader, but I've always resented the fact that he launched his career by slamming the Corvair. After all, it was an American attempt to build a small car, and one that wasn't boring (it wasn't a Nash Rambler). And yes, it was economical.

I wonder if Detroit would have taken more chances in that direction, in the Sixties and Seventies, if not for Nader.

[Snax]

Originally Posted by theholycow

If you're already shopping for tires, be sure to get tires that can accept higher pressure.

I think that's the best advice for starters. Your headroom to overinflate is greater with a tire rated for more. Likewise, you won't need to exceed the rating as much for a similar result.

I have no concerns about my 51psi rated Sumitomos inflated to 55 psi on the Escort. The cheapo M&S tires rated for 35 psi on the Tercel however give me a little more concern jacked up to only 45 psi.