I have recently bought a 98 Z28 which from the factory came with 16" rims 245 60 16. The car came with SS wheels 275 40 17. The tires PSI recommend 51psi, what does the SS recommend? I feel every pebble in the road, this wasn't an issue with my 92 25th anniversary, it was smooth. Any pothole I hit feel or sounds like the car is going to rattle apart at low speeds, high speeds you don't hear a thing. Just seeing if any one else had some input on this. I have lowered the tire pressure to 47psi for the 50psi they were all at to see if it makes a difference.

 

NEVER follow the number printed on the side of the tire. You are going to wear out the center of the tread, have terrible traction, and rattle the fillings in your teeth.

The tires don't "recommend" 51psi. That is the maximum allowable pressure, required to achieve the maximum allowable load rating. The tires are not loaded anywhere near their load rating on your car.

They should be inflated to the pressure shown on the sticker on your door jamb. It may be 1 or 2 psi different than the SS recommended pressure, but its a lot closer to being correct than looking at the label on the side of the tires.

I replaced my stock 245/50-16's with 275/40-17's on 17x9.5" wheels, and used the same pressures shown on the sticker on the door. The tires were replaced at 40,000 miles, and still had 1/3 of the tread left, with extremely uniform wear. Try anything from 32-36psi.

 

I worked for Yokohama Tire Corp (in the plant located in Salem, VA) for 3 years and understand tire wear and construction, but being I wasn't sure of the SS recommend tire pressure I wasn't sure were to set it. I hope the rid is better at 36psi.

 

You worked in the tire industry for 3 years, and you inflated your tires to 51psi because that's what's printed on the side of the tire? And you seem to be slightly offended because I pointed that out?

Good luck.

 

This response literally had me laughing out loud. Good stuff

 

The guys at Sam's put 45 psi in the tires on my car way back when I was in college. I was driving down the highway and it felt like I was riding on basketballs.

 

The label on the door jam should read 30 PSI Cold for 99 SS. 30 PSI is too soft of a ride for me, so I keep the pressure set at 32 PSI Cold. Michelin has a very good site with tire info that explains what you read on the side of your tire.

 

to the wanna be injuneer

I just got back on here and read my thread about tire pressure. I wasn't offended by your comment. All I wanted to know was the recommended factory setting for the SS, being I had the Z with SS wheels. The *** before me set the tires at 51psi and so did Sears after I lowered them to 40psi (they looked low at 34psi where I normally have my tires set). I spent 3 yrs in the curing end of the plant, the normal temp is about 130 degrees year round.

You don't need to be an *** to people who are just asking a simple question!!

 

Sorry I offended you yet again. I'll ignore your posts in the future since you appear to be a bit on the "sensitive" side. And thanks for the kind PM as well.

Have a nice day.

 

If any body is wondering what the PM says that I sent to wanna be injuneer, it says exactly the same thing that I wrote in this thread

the car isn't an SS its a Z28 so the door sticker say 16" rims I'm running 17" rims (off an SS) I know that 51psi is to much so I lowered it twice but Sears in all their wisdom put it right back up there.


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