Good points...The factory tire pressure is 21 psi/front and 26 psi/rear. I
recently put 70x170-13's on my Mk III and initially set the pressure to
factory. I will increase it some just to test the handling differences, but
the factory pressure seems fine.
Terrence Banbury
> ----------
> From: Barry Schwartz[SMTP:bschwart@pacbell.net]
> Reply To: Barry Schwartz
> Sent: Monday, April 03, 2000 10:27 AM
> To: Jeff McNeal
> Cc: spitfires@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Overlooking the obvious
>
>
> Jeff,
> The rating on the tire sidewall is ONLY a maximum tire pressure rating NOT
> what you should put in your tires. The car manufacturers specs are what
> you should inflate your tires to. Unless you have modified your car, are
> racing, or have installed a couple of sizes different tire should you
> possibly consider changing tire pressures from those recommended by the
> manufacturer. Many people mistakenly assume that the pressure printed on
> the sidewall is what they should inflate their tires to and this *usually*
> is incorrect. Sometime you might get lucky and the manufacturers specs
> and
> the tire sidewall rating will be the same, but this is very rare. Under
> NO
> circumstances should you exceed the rating on the tire. If the tire isn't
> rated for what the car maker says should be used, then you have the wrong
> tire for your vehicle. The Spit should have around 22 psi front 26 rear
> (if
> my memory serves me, I may be wrong on that) A slight raising of those
> pressures of a couple of pounds, with the stock size of 145 or even 155 to
> 165 should improve handling somewhat at the expense of a *slightly*
> harsher
> ride. Even with my highly modified Spitfire I run only 24 psi front, 28
> psi rear, and that's with 205/60 tires. Running with 36 psi all around
> may
> lead to undesirable handling characteristics at speed (sudden oversteer or
> understeer), and will MOST CERTAINLY wear the tires out prematurely with
> the characteristic worn down the middle bald spot-
>
>
> Barry Schwartz (San Diego) bschwart@pacbell.net
>
> 72 PI, V6 Spitfire (daily driver)
> 70 GT6+ (when I don't drive the Spit)
> 70 Spitfire (long term project)
>
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