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?