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Tire pressures & safety (fwd)

To: mgs@autox.team.net, triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: Tire pressures & safety (fwd)
From: Nick Benson <grayoak@holly.ColoState.EDU>
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 1995 15:11:57 -0700 (MST)

        Here's a copy of an e-mail I sent to Popular Mechanics today.  I 
was irate that the lube shop had inflated my Spitfire tires to 44psi. 
Last year they did the very same thing to my Midget.  It's almost double 
what both cars require. Incidentally, my book on my '75 Spitfire shows 
21psi front, and 26psi rear; is this correct?

Nick D. Benson

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 1995 15:06:44 -0700 (MST)
From: Nick Benson <grayoak@holly.ACNS.ColoState.EDU>
To: popularmechanics@hearst.com
Subject: Tire pressures & safety


Dear Scott Oldham,

        Why do those franchised "speedy lube" shops insist on inflating 
tires to the maximum pressure that's printed on the tire?  Most cars do 
not need anywhere near the maximum pressure on the tire. When I called 
and asked the manager why they had put 44psi in my Triumph Spitfire tires 
his reply was that unless the customer specifically requests a pressure, 
they always use the number on the tire.  My point was that in the 
interest of safety, they should have a reference chart that gives the 
recommended pressures for cars.  A tire that is inflated to twice the 
pressure required is very unsafe; the footprint it leaves on the road is 
minimal. He mentioned that some customers preferred a softer or stiffer 
ride and would tell them what pressure to put in.  This is crazy to me; 
it's like the mechanic coming out and asking you what torque you would 
"prefer" on your front brake calipers!  Is there any OSHA regulation that 
would cover such blatant ignorance of this safety issue? What about the 
people who have no idea how unsafe over-inflated tires can be?  They are 
driving around between service visits ignorant to the fact that someone 
cannot take the time to check what is the safe pressure for their car. 
        Let's face it, the ONLY thing that's between you and the road is 
your tires, and if some service shop mechanic is unaware of how unsafe 
over inflated tires can be, your $50,000 car suddenly becomes as 
dangerous as the forty year old pick-up truck with treadless tires.

Sincerely,

Nick D. Benson
Department of Industrial Sciences
Colorado State University
Fort Collins CO


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