2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Tire pressures in the extreme heat.

[Forrest]

Hello all.



With the expansion of air as the temps go up, I wonder if there is any danger in running @ max PSI when the temps are so hot. Out west, this prolonged High Pressure is making for >100's.



I know there are areas of the SW where >100's are the norm. Is it a risk for blowouts if you tow @ max pressure with these temps?





thanks

 

[Jeff H]

The more your tires squats The more heat that will be generated going down the road. Keep them aired up they will actually run cooler. Usually on the tire it will say "tire psi max cold". Or something like that. In extreme heat it bascically the quality of construction that determines wether it will hold together.

 

[AstroZombie]

My father in law works for Merchant Tires as a manager (20+yrs). Anyway here is what he told me on one occasion. Heat is what is used to mold a tire when it is put together. The lower the tire pressure the more heat is generated in the tire. Higher tire pressure keeps the heat down.





So if your run a low tire pressure you will get more heat, if the tire reaches the temperature that it was molded at it will start to come apart. Therefore keep the PSI at the recommended level on the tire.



Ford and Firestone (mainly Ford) found this out with the Explorers, Ford was shipping them with the tires under inflated. If you recall most of the blow outs happened in the southern states during the summer and over in Saudi Arabia during the summer as well. High air temperature, High road temp, and low tire pressure, bad mix...

 

[Forrest]

Thanks Jeff & Astro ...



Makes sense.



I didn't know that factoid about the location of the blowouts. Wow.







Forrest