[Shan2nu]

Well,
Some of you might remember me telling you about the wierd handling of my Vtec during a recent MSN chat session.

For those who weren't ther, here's what happened.

It had been 4 days since i had checking the tyre pressure at 31 psi (which i normally keep), but the other day when i drove the car, the steering felt light and wobbly.

I wasn't able to check the pressure then, as it was in the afternoon. Then again i took a gap of 3 days before i took the car out today.

I knew for sure something was wrong but didn't know what. I thought maybe the car is facing steering or suspenssion problems. So today i made it a point to get the tyre pressure checked at any cost.

I did expect the pressures to be a bit high due to the hot climate, but what the tyre guy told me was really shocking. He said that the pressure had increased to an astonishing 38psi!!!!!! And i hadn't even driven it for half a Km.

After the pressure was reduced to 31, i took the car for a long drive and all that wobbly, light feeling in the steering had vanished.

So guys, if it's been some time since you last checked the tyre pressure in your car, it think it's time to follow up.

Just 6 psi more and i'd have lost all 4 tyres!!! Not to forget the car and me!!

Regards...
Shan2nu

[GTO]

Interesting experience, tyre pressure is one of the most important contributors to a cars ride and handling factor. That makes it the easiest to control, and conversely the easiest area to goof up on.

Every monday morning is when I take my cars to the nearest BP pump and fill up the petrol tanks to the fullest, make a note of the kms, top up all other lubes/fluids AND check the air pressure. I have gotten with me an amazing digital tyre pressure gauge from the states which is dead accurate.

I suggest you get a high quality gauge too, the petrol pump tools are rarely accurate and I doubt they must be re-calibrated more than once a year. In fact, I have myself seen discrepancies of upto 10 psi between petrol pumps.

GTO

[Dippy]

Hey GTO how much does one of those pressure gauges cost?

Cheers

[GTO]

Cost me $10 in the states. Should be more or less the same here, the only problem would be locating a store that carries one.

Will ask my auto store and let ya know,

GTO

[v12]

they cost around 150-200 bucks.

[Shan2nu]

200 bucks for an accurate pressure gauge is peanuts, considering that replacing a burst tyre can cost as much as 3000-4000.

Like they say, "better safe than sorry"

Regards...
Shan2nu

[toyota]

Aways check the air pressure in the morning before you start your day , and as said in the earier message it cost you MAX of 300 rupees .
I woud ike to mention a important point here , pease after you check your air put back the vave cap .In local language ....tube mouth cap .

This is very important , so what will happen if i dont use it .
1. Entry of dust . which will get settled inside and slowly cause air leak .
2. Entry of Mud and water - Mud again cause ai leak
3. Entry of water , casue rust of oxidation of valve components and again cause air leak
4. Water inside tube also affects the life of the tyre and tube .

So
1. Cheack air pressure regularly
2. Check condition of Tyres periodically
3. Rotate tyres
4. Dont use a retreaded tyres

All the above points are vert important as it is related to drive , comfort , and safety

[toyota]

Hi again
One more important thing about Tyre pressure
Nowadays tubeless tyres are becoming popular. Please tale care when you go for a tubeless tyre particularly with a steel wheel rim.

The edges of the steelwheel are much prone to deform. It may lead to airleak . With alloys this problem is not much as the edges are solid (compared to steel wheels)

In general it is adiviced to go for a Tubeless with a alloy wheels only .

[normally_crazy]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]I woud ike to mention a important point here , pease after you check your air put back the vave cap .In local language ....tube mouth cap .

and boy these get stolen every 2nd day !!!

[auto]

today tyres contribute most to the winning F1 teams. that pretty much sums up the importance of tyres in todays cars. firstly, get yourself a tubeless the moment you brng in that new car - the cost difference for swicthover is minimal. and if you plan to upgrade go up one step (wider and shorter) to retain the ride quality. check air pressure once a week, and always on cold tyre. so if you fill air on hot tyres do it near to home and overfill to correct the next morning without fail. a good gauge costs approx 750-1000 incl the electronic ones, but prefer the traditional mechanical type. most others deteriorate quicker than you can imagine from cheap quality. maintain approx air pressure at 28 in city and 30 for hwys/expwys - but yu can decide your own comfort levels. of course dont forget the wheel balancing/alignment once every 2 months. my experience has been on tubeless tyres of sizes 175x65 and 185x60 and 195x60. but generally most tyres follow similar measurements. drive safe.

[Firestarter]

shan2nu 31 psi isnt that too much for the vtec in city 29 and on highway 27 is just perfect i had some probs with mine on the trip to mglr the tyres were at 29 psi and i had probs taking corners considering the fact my tyres were new sop got it reduced to 27 psi and it was perfect ..... my tyre size is 195/60R14 Goodyear eagle ventura..... your comments on the ideal tyre pressure for this size

[SLK]

then how about wagon R? 33psi

actually... get this 33 from any damn analog meter pump. and get it checked from a well maintained electronic one... u'll normally see its much higher.
I have seen 42psi in wagonR and 47psi in Alto

[Rehaan]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Firestarter @ Oct. 29 2004,19:30)]in city 29 and on highway 27 is just perfect i had some probs with mine on the trip to mglr the tyres were at 29 psi and i had probs taking corners considering the fact my tyres were new sop got it reduced to 27 psi and it was perfect

Hey Firestarter,

Usually people have a lower tire pressure for city driving and a higher one for highway driving.
This is because for city driving its better to have some more cushioning, which higher tire pressure doesnt really give.

Higher tire pressures are used on highway runs because they are usually higher speed and for a much longer duration. The higher pressure doesnt allow the tirewalls to flex as much, which keeps the tire from producing extra heat (by the sidewall flexing), which is better for safety since heat is an enemy of tires.
This problem doesnt really arise for city running because its usually short duration runs and slow speed, so the heat buildup is nowhere as severe.

About you running 27 on the highway...that seems a lot less than what you should be running.
IMO in the city 28-32psi
on the highway - 30-34psi
Always check your tire pressure when the tires are cold otherwise you will get incorrect (higher) readings (since heat causes air to expand and therefore increases pressure).

The only two reasons i can think of for your problem are
1. The pressure guage was not accurate
2. Your tires were new so they still had not been really run in (although this wouldnt really be such a big factor)

Let us know what you think,
cya
R

[speedsatya]

the best way to check the tire pressure is to do so when its cold.so investing in foot pump wud be a good option.
in maruti cars like the Zen and the Esteem ,driving with slightly higher pressures can cause the body to rattle and the handling is affected .

[normally_crazy]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Always check your tire pressure when the tires are cold otherwise you will get incorrect (higher) readings (since heat causes air to expand and therefore increases pressure).

thats rite, i keep the pressure 28 psi for the city ( increase it to 30 if the car is gonna have 4 persons sitting ) and i have 30 psi for the highway.....

i think after heating , we chud get a 2 psi increase atleast ...rite guys ?

cheers