Date:         Tue, 3 Oct 2006 13:33:40 -0700
Reply-To:     Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Tire pressures
Comments: To: David M <covrambles@yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To:  <20061003195701.79923.qmail@web31811.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

RE: The VW factory recommended pressures are for a tire that is no longer
available.

I think that this is a common assumption but essentially wrong.  The OEM
tires are specified in terms of size and load rating.  In the case of the
205/70 R 14 the load rating is 97.  Any tire of that size and load rating
(or higher) made today should be little or no different from those on the
market at the time the Vanagon was being made.
It is true that there have been improvements in rubber compound, tread
design and better wear and reliability in the last 20 years, but the specs
remain the same.

Based on my experience (and experimenting) with 185R14 tires on my '90 Westy
I've found very even wear and very good ride and handling at the factory
recommended pressure of 43 front, 53 rear.  I would assume that I'd get the
same kind of results if running the 205/70 R14 at the factory pressures of
30 front, 40 rear.

BTW, VW increased the recommended pressure over the years, earlier models
had lower recommended pressure on the door sticker.