[olaftheproud]

2002 mustang gt stock gater back tires what pressure should i have them at. I did have them at 40 psi and it handeled rough but tight then the other day I notice the sticker on the in side of the fuel door saying 30 and i freaked out and droped the pressure to 30 now I feels weird its hard to describe, lets say I do a second gear power slide in stead of hearing a low pitch shirting I hear a skiping sound. It almost feels lose.

[olaftheproud]

sorry to double post but for some resesson it won't let me edit , my question is what is a good pressure to use, I want to go back to 40 but am affraid it will kill the tires or be un safe in some way.

[dollarbill]

Did you measure the tire pressure cold or hot? Cold meaning before you drive the car at all preferably early in the morning when it is the coldest. Even being in the sun can make a difference. Once I had set my tires all equal in the morning when it was in the garage then later the car was outside and partialy in the sun. The one in the sun had more PSI . Also how many miles are on your tires? I hear those stock gatorbacks really suck, maybe the side walls are loosing there strength. I recently bought a set of 4 Fuzion Zri's and I have them set at 32 psi cold and I am happy with that. I really think that 40 psi is too much for your tires. I think they have a maximum psi of 44, so if you set them at 40 cold and drive on them they could be at 44 or higher. I think you should expieriment some with it butwhatever you do don't run them at any less than 30 psi cold. Tire rack has some good info about tire pressure and there is also a good thread about Miles Per Gallon on here to help you decide what to do. Good Luck!

[olaftheproud]

well I was parked in the snow when i messured it(lol). so its as cold as it gets . tire rack website has info you say I well have to try to find this. a link would rock.

[mbhmustang1998]

i had mine at 44 psi forever before i found out thats the max!! LOL i got them down to 30 cold psi and run the backs at 20 psi at the track.

[Fiat Freak]

Higher pressure equals "fuller" tire. Too much pressure will not let the sidewalls work, and keep the outmost tread off the road. Higher pressure will be a less cushy ride. Lower pressure will give more tire surface to the road and offer more traction. Too much traction under normal speeds can result in an unpleasant handling situation.

OEM "specs" are for the average driver, on the average road, performing average speeds under average conditions. That is what Ford will always shoot for, optimized head count satisfaction.

Tire Rack "specs" (if they offer any) will be geared towards optimum consumption of the product meeting the minimum life expectancy published. They're in the market for your repeat - repeat - repeat business. Did I say they want you to buy more tires?

You're gonna have to experiment for your driving habits and desires on your roads and conditions. I suggest staying away from the max pressure; finding something 40 psi or less. Under 30 should not be applied for normal (non-race) conditions. S'long as you have proper amount of tread, I don't think there is anything wrong with up to 40 psi (and that is operating pressure, not cold pressure).

[meatball]

Run my 275/40/17's Yokohamas (9" wheels) at 32 front, 34 back (96 GT) - I can feel the difference when adding/deleting 2psi.

[olaftheproud]

I'll try the 32 front 34 back thanks.