Date: Tue, 25 Feb 97 07:49:16 -0500
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Dave Mancuso <Mancuso@etown.k12.pa.us>
Subject: Re: Go with the door sticker.....
On 2/24/97 9:49 AM (EST), Sean Bartnik wrote:
>> The tire recommendation is for a wide range of vehicles, including cars.
>> The sticker is for that tire on your individual vehicle
>>
>> You have a much heavier van.
>>
>> I inflated to the door sticker pressure, despite the 40psi on my tires.
>>
>> Just my opinion.
>> --Dave
>>
>Dave,
>NO NO NO!! This is wrong and may get you killed one day. The number
>printed on the tire -- the Max. Cold Inflation Pressure -- is just that.
>the MAXIMUM. If you inflate the tire more than this, you risk
>catastrophic tire failure. This is because as the tire heats up when
>driving, the air inside expands, increasing pressure. Eventually you
>will get to the point where the tire fails. Then, you read on teh Type
>2 list about a fellow who rolled his Westy when the right rear tire
>blew.
>
>The sticker on the door is good but only if you buy tires that can
>handle the inflation pressure listed on teh sticker. The max on the
>tire is first as far as authority, the sticker is second. NEVER inflate
>beyond the max on the tire, no matter what the sticker says. Then go
>out and buy proper tires for your vehicle.
Hmmmm. I stand (or drive) corrected. I'll have to recheck my tires. I do
use Michelins with reinforced sidewalls, so I know I have the correct
tires. Maybe my inflation pressure on the tire is higher, and I just
don't remember it.
[Next morning, 7am. My tires are Michelin XZX, with 40 lbs. Max cold
pressure. I'm a bit shocked at having given dangerous advice to the list,
and very glad people caught it. The sad part is that a staff member at a
tire place set me on the "sticker path" years ago. The sadder part is
that I never questioned it.]
Thanks for the warning.
--Dave
PS--Remember Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas when Hunter S. Thompson
filled the tires up to 110lbs. so they'd make the right squeal going
around corners? Now _there's_ a serious judgement problem. (this book was
fictionalized, BTW)
PPS--I'm switching over to 205 tires from 185 tires. Can I do it
gradually, putting the two 205s on the rear wheels and leaving the 185s
on the front tires for a few thousand miles? or will I mess up the ride
and the tires? I hate to just replace the front tires, they're still in
such good condition. anybody want to buy a Michelin XZX 185 or two for a
good price?
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