Best tire pressure for LT265/75/R16?

[offroadwill]

Hey guys,

I bought 4 new Falken Rocky Mountain ATS tires the other day at Discount tire for my 2000 4Runner (4x4). The guy at Discount recommended 36 PSI cold.

I was thinking of airing them up to 38 PSI. Does that sound about right?

I have a 3-inch lift too.

Thanks.

Old tires in this photo.

 

[Skidmarcx]

Seems a bit high and judging by the photo your old tires were overinflated as well... I'd say 32psi is about right

 

[BrianSD_42]

The best tire pressure is the one stamped on the side of the tire.

If it says 60 PSI max then I would run 50 or 55.

If it says 50 max I would run 45 PSI and so on.

BTW there is no difinitivee relationship between tire size and tire pressure. Every tire type is different

 

[Millerad1651]

I have the same height lift and same tires, but a 285. I've tried different pressures in the year I've had them, and I've found the best for me is 38 psi in the front, and 35 psi in the rear. I found that at lower psi (32 ish) they would tend to get a little squirrely on the road. I think that's from the way the tread is...

 

[catalina34]

The best tire pressure is the one stamped on the side of the tire.

If it says 60 PSI max then I would run 50 or 55.

If it says 50 max I would run 45 PSI and so on.

BTW there is no difinitivee relationship between tire size and tire pressure. Every tire type is different

Not even close. The best base point is what's suggested by the vehicle manufacturer. Most vehicles recommended tire pressure are labeled on a sticker in the driver's door jamb. Adjust from there to suit your needs. Max psi's on sidewalls are just that, max recommended psi and are not specific to the vehicle.

 

[Reptile Christ]

Anywhere between 30-40psi is fine.

It is somewhat dependent on your personal preference. Some people get a little better mpg when they're closer to 40. Some people feel the ride is MUCH better closer to 30. I keep the tires on my 97 4Runner at 38psi cold in the summer, and between 32-35psi cold in the winter (feels like the traction is a bit better when they're a few pounds lower).

I have 6 years of experience in the service dept at multiple car dealerships.


edit:

Not even close. The best base point is what's suggested by the vehicle manufacturer. Most vehicles recommended tire pressure are labeled on a sticker in the driver's door jamb. Adjust from there to suit your needs. Max psi's on sidewalls are just that, max recommended psi and are not specific to the vehicle.

Very few people go by the recommended psi found in the door jamb, as there are often benefits of inflating lower or higher than the manufacturer's recommendation.

 

[seanshreds]

Fill it to 35 psi then take a piece of chalk draw a straight line from left to right on your tires and drive a few hundred feet. If all the chalk is gone then your tires are at a good pressure. If only the chalk on the outside is gone, your pressure is too low. If only the chalk in the middle is gone, your pressure is too high.

 

[quicksilvr]

I keep my LT265/75R16 Toyo Open Country ATII's at 35psi. Over the last 10k miles it's seemed to be the best combo of comfort and tire wear. Tires still look basically new. And they do great in the snow at 35 too.

 

[shootmymime]

Anywhere between 30-40psi is fine.

It is somewhat dependent on your personal preference. Some people get a little better mpg when they're closer to 40. Some people feel the ride is MUCH better closer to 30. I keep the tires on my 97 4Runner at 38psi cold in the summer, and between 32-35psi cold in the winter (feels like the traction is a bit better when they're a few pounds lower).

I have 6 years of experience in the service dept at multiple car dealerships.


edit:




Very few people go by the recommended psi found in the door jamb, as there are often benefits of inflating lower or higher than the manufacturer's recommendation.

i agree on you 30-40 psi range. but..
serious, you dont go by the stickers on the B pillar? with these new vehicles with TPMS you have to go by the stickers on the door. (i know our older 3rd gens dont) but going by the tire pressure on the side wall of the tire is way too much pressure.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Adjust from there to suit your needs. Max psi's on sidewalls are just that, max recommended psi and are not specific to the vehicle

Ok but that just doesn't make sense to me.

Every tire is different based on type, size and load rating.

To say that all 265 x 16 tires on a 4Runner should be 35 PSI sounds bogus to me.

For example my load E 285x75x16 all terrain LT tires have a max recommended pressure of 65 PSI. Are you suggesting that 35 PSI would be normal inflation? It seems like it would be under inflated.

In fact I really don't get it. If you are saying that different SUVs weigh different amounts then I agree but PSI measured would take that into account because any additional weight would affect the tire gauge readout.

 

[Socco]

Remember guys, the suggested pressure on the door tag isn't a random number. It's the pressure which Toyota found was to be the best balance between road handling, road noise, fuel economy and a host of other factors, I'm sure. So use this as a starting point. You may find you like your pressures a little higher or a little lower for normal road conditions. Usually in the neighbourhood of 30-35 Psi. Too low= Faster wear, increased fuel consumption, rubber overheating. Too High= Less traction, easier to puncture, stiffer ride. Forget the myth that you get better mileage if you inflate above the recommended value. If a vehicle manufacture could claim a 1 or 2 MPG increase, just by over inflating...they would.

Whatever you choose to do- Don't inflate to (or near) the max rating of the tire.

 

[02SE]

The best tire inflation pressure depends on many variables. The weight the tire is supporting, where and how the tire is being used, etc.

One thing to remember is that P-rated tires like the ones that come stock on the 4Runner, need to be de-rated by a factor of 1.1, in a light truck application like the 4Runner.

Here's a link to a load inflation table that should help explain things:

Load & Inflation Tables | Toyo Tires

 

[catalina34]

Anywhere between 30-40psi is fine.

It is somewhat dependent on your personal preference. Some people get a little better mpg when they're closer to 40. Some people feel the ride is MUCH better closer to 30. I keep the tires on my 97 4Runner at 38psi cold in the summer, and between 32-35psi cold in the winter (feels like the traction is a bit better when they're a few pounds lower).

I have 6 years of experience in the service dept at multiple car dealerships.


edit:




Very few people go by the recommended psi found in the door jamb, as there are often benefits of inflating lower or higher than the manufacturer's recommendation.

Thanks for repeating what I said. Use the sticker as baseline and adjust as needed. I worked in tire sales and have experience autocrossing and doing track days. Altering tire pressure has a huge impact on not just wear characteristics, but also handling. Manufacturers recommend their pressures to ensure the vehicle handles a certain way. Often you'll find different pressures listed front to rear. These pressures work with the suspension compenents to ensure safe handling characteristics (understeer). Making changes to the tire pressure is fine, but one should know what they're trying to accomplish and how adjusting tire pressures effects thei vehicle before haphazardly making changes. Over inflating can cause a dramatic decrease in traction at the limit in addition to providing a rougher ride. If you're hypermiling your vehicle and overinflating your tires you WILL sacrifice grip/safety. Underinflating can cause poor turn-in and stability and can result in loss of grip as well.

Just know what you're doing before making changes.

Again, max pressure listed on the tire is a safety warning, NOT a recommendation. Vehicle weight, suspension setup, and tire pressures all work together. Tire manufacturers can't make one tire and recommend one pressure suitable for vehicles across the board. All vehicles are different which is why manufacturers tune their vehicles and air pressures together to optimize their desired handling characteristics.

 

[Singtoe]

Not even close. The best base point is what's suggested by the vehicle manufacturer. Most vehicles recommended tire pressure are labeled on a sticker in the driver's door jamb. Adjust from there to suit your needs. Max psi's on sidewalls are just that, max recommended psi and are not specific to the vehicle.

Remember guys, the suggested pressure on the door tag isn't a random number. It's the pressure which Toyota found was to be the best balance between road handling, road noise, fuel economy and a host of other factors, I'm sure. So use this as a starting point. You may find you like your pressures a little higher or a little lower for normal road conditions. Usually in the neighbourhood of 30-35 Psi. Too low= Faster wear, increased fuel consumption, rubber overheating. Too High= Less traction, easier to puncture, stiffer ride. Forget the myth that you get better mileage if you inflate above the recommended value. If a vehicle manufacture could claim a 1 or 2 MPG increase, just by over inflating...they would.

Whatever you choose to do- Don't inflate to (or near) the max rating of the tire.

This number on the door jamb tag is for a specific tire size and ply rating. When you change tire sizes, vehicle weight, suspension geometry angles and tire ply count; you can go ahead and throw that sticker away.

D and E rated tires need more psi.

If your tire is too wide for the rim, you need less psi.

If your tires are cupping, you need more psi.

 

[catalina34]

This number on the door jamb tag is for a specific tire size and ply rating. When you change tire sizes, vehicle weight, suspension geometry angles and tire ply count; you can go ahead and throw that sticker away.

D and E rated tires need more psi.

If your tire is too wide for the rim, you need less psi.

If your tires are cupping, you need more psi.

Cupping is not necessarily a result of under inflation. Also, there are more variables than just optimizing wear I.E. the vehicle's handling characteristics. There's no magic number to shoot for. These things vary by so many factors. Last thing I'll say is do some some research before screwing around with your tire pressures: know your goal, and understand the tradeoffs you will have in meeting your goal.

 

[Singtoe]

Cupping is not necessarily a result of under inflation. Also, there are more variables than just optimizing wear I.E. the vehicle's handling characteristics. There's no magic number to shoot for. These things vary by so many factors. Last thing I'll say is do some some research before screwing around with your tire pressures: know your goal, and understand the tradeoffs you will have in meeting your goal.

When you don't follow the toyota manual and change your tire size from OEM you can't follow them same guide lines.

What if you installed a diesel motor but the door jamb said that you must use unleaded gasoline.

Air pressure is an adjustment that has to be figured out for other than OEM size and type tires.

 

[USMC0351]

I usually just eyeball as I inflate. If it looks about the right height then perform the tire kick test to check for sidewall tautness. It should give slightly, while not too much. Slight overinflation will provide a small increase in ground clearance and under inflation can give the appearance of having wider tires. This will give you the most correct pressure, and save you much time over the orthodox way of using a pressure gauge and trying to tune it for front/rear. Also, if the bead comes off the rim, you have too little pressure. If the tire explodes, back it off a few seconds of air next time.

I have 20 years experience in sarcasm. :repuke:

 

[chuck norris]

The best tire pressure is the one stamped on the side of the tire.

If it says 60 PSI max then I would run 50 or 55.

If it says 50 max I would run 45 PSI and so on.

BTW there is no difinitivee relationship between tire size and tire pressure. Every tire type is different

^^^ This is not a good idea...

Anywhere between 30-40psi is fine.

It is somewhat dependent on your personal preference. Some people get a little better mpg when they're closer to 40. Some people feel the ride is MUCH better closer to 30. I keep the tires on my 97 4Runner at 38psi cold in the summer, and between 32-35psi cold in the winter (feels like the traction is a bit better when they're a few pounds lower).

I have 6 years of experience in the service dept at multiple car dealerships.


edit:




Very few people go by the recommended psi found in the door jamb, as there are often benefits of inflating lower or higher than the manufacturer's recommendation.

This number on the door jamb tag is for a specific tire size and ply rating. When you change tire sizes, vehicle weight, suspension geometry angles and tire ply count; you can go ahead and throw that sticker away.

D and E rated tires need more psi.

If your tire is too wide for the rim, you need less psi.

If your tires are cupping, you need more psi.

^^^ These are good ideas.

The max pressure listed on the sidewall is irrelevant, unless you are loading each tire to 100% of its weight rating.

The door jamb sticker is irrelevant, unless you are running the exact same size and load rating tires that came stock (aka P-rated 225/75r15 or 265/70r16).

When you are running LT tires (C,D,E rated) the pressure required will be higher than the door jamb sticker. I run 37psi with C rated 265/75r16 Duratracs and this is perfect for me. You also have to account for your driving style, how you load the vehicle, and what suspension you are running.

The "chalk test" that was described earlier results in too low of a pressure since you aren't always driving straight, slow, and carefully on a flat surface like you do in the test.

 

[catalina34]

When you don't follow the toyota manual and change your tire size from OEM you can't follow them same guide lines.

What if you installed a diesel motor but the door jamb said that you must use unleaded gasoline.

Air pressure is an adjustment that has to be figured out for other than OEM size and type tires.

Not disagreeing. I said several times there are many variables, and that the sticker is a baseline, and adjustments can vary depending on many things (tires, suspension, intended use). My suggestion is that folks understand how pressures impact their vehicle before making adjustments. The diesel/gas analogy is not analogous in any way, shape, or form.

 

[Limbwalker]

Dont forget to account for your morning burrito, and whether or not your morning coffee has kicked in.
36-38 should be fine, just keep an eye on the wear and handling.
Excuse the sarcasm (or not)