What should my tire pressure be in my 33's?
10-17-2013 | 01:04 PM
#1
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 288
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From: Charlotte, NC
What should my tire pressure be in my 33's?
I have been a road warrior most all of my driving life and have followed a simple rule regarding tire pressure. Look for the max pressure which in most cases was 35 psi and subtract 5 psi, so I would put 30 psi of pressure in the tires.
We’ll I recently bought my second JK and this one came with Kelley Safari TSR M+S LT285/70R17 tires and a 2.5” TerraFlex lift from a local dealer. When I checked the pressure in all 4 tires were set to 35 lbs. Looking at the sidewalls I found that the recommended max pressure was 65 psi. So my normal thinking set in, so I bumped them up to 60 psi. Now I can feel every small crack in the road. I guess I expect the ride to be different but it’s very different.
After reading another thread this morning I found that someone had a max pressure of 50 psi that was recommended by their tire manufacturer however they ran at 35 psi. That seems unusual to me especially since I am on the road most of the time.
Anyone have suggestions of what I need to have my tire pressure at for road use or am I doing it correctly? How about tire pressure for off-road use?
Lee
We’ll I recently bought my second JK and this one came with Kelley Safari TSR M+S LT285/70R17 tires and a 2.5” TerraFlex lift from a local dealer. When I checked the pressure in all 4 tires were set to 35 lbs. Looking at the sidewalls I found that the recommended max pressure was 65 psi. So my normal thinking set in, so I bumped them up to 60 psi. Now I can feel every small crack in the road. I guess I expect the ride to be different but it’s very different.
After reading another thread this morning I found that someone had a max pressure of 50 psi that was recommended by their tire manufacturer however they ran at 35 psi. That seems unusual to me especially since I am on the road most of the time.
Anyone have suggestions of what I need to have my tire pressure at for road use or am I doing it correctly? How about tire pressure for off-road use?
Lee
10-17-2013 | 02:02 PM
#5
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 4
From: Cheyenne, WY
Basically, draw a heavy line of chalk across the width of the tire, drive a for a couple rotations of the tire and see where the chalk is worn off. From there you can adjust your pressure up or down.
10-17-2013 | 02:03 PM
#6
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
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From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Looking at the sidewalls I found that the recommended max pressure was 65 psi.
Full size trucks might use that pressure when carrying very heavy loads.Drop it to 30 or so and then start experimenting. For the chalk test, grab some kids sidewalk chalk and draw a big line across the tread, go for a short drive, and check the chalk pattern that is left. All rubbed off an equal amount = good pressure. Rubbed off in middle but not sides = over-inflated. Rubbed off on sides but not middle = under-inflated.
10-17-2013 | 02:05 PM
#7
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 288
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From: Charlotte, NC
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10-17-2013 | 04:36 PM
#8
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte, NC
Recommended MAX pressure the tire can safely handle without exploding. Full size trucks might use that pressure when carrying very heavy loads. Drop it to 30 or so and then start experimenting. For the chalk test, grab some kids sidewalk chalk and draw a big line across the tread, go for a short drive, and check the chalk pattern that is left. All rubbed off an equal amount = good pressure. Rubbed off in middle but not sides = over-inflated. Rubbed off on sides but not middle = under-inflated.
Full size trucks might use that pressure when carrying very heavy loads. Drop it to 30 or so and then start experimenting. For the chalk test, grab some kids sidewalk chalk and draw a big line across the tread, go for a short drive, and check the chalk pattern that is left. All rubbed off an equal amount = good pressure. Rubbed off in middle but not sides = over-inflated. Rubbed off on sides but not middle = under-inflated.
10-17-2013 | 04:44 PM
#9
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 228
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From: Clovis, NM
10-17-2013 | 04:55 PM
#10
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Clovis, CA