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#1 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 174
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We all know about the importance of correct tyre pressure and of warming up the tyres in motor racing. I am wondering about the importance of these effects in normal road use. Of course, I don't want to sugggest that you warm up your tyres Alonso-style after leaving your driveway - rather, I am interested in the following real-life scenario:
The cheapest petrol station in my area is about 20 kms of motorway into my commute. That means that if I have a chance to check tyre pressures, it will be after travelling some time at about 150 km/h, mostly in a straigt line, with no hard cornering involved. How will this affect the temperature of the air in the tyres, and tyre pressure? Will the pressure be significantly higher than measured if cold? How would pressure and temperature be affected if it were 20 kms of twisty B-road, driven quickly, but within the limits imposed by law and by safety considerations? Will I have to put in an extra stop on cold tyres when I want to check tyre pressures? Thanks for your thoughts! NPP |
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#2 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,306
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It would still be higher due to the friction with the road
on a twistier road the pressure would be higher Its best to check tyre pressures after being parked a while or if you do them before you leave |
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#3 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 9,411
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Road car tyres should be checked cold. The ambient temperature will affect the pressure, and if standing in the sun can easily alter 5psi or more depending on the size and will alter from side to side. Race tyres on my car can alter by 10psi during a long race on normal air.
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__________________
Balls of steel (knob of butter) They're Asking For Larkins. ( Proper beer) not you're Eurofizz crap. Hace más calor en España. Me han conocido a hablar un montón cojones! Send any cheques and cash to PO box 1 Lagos Nigeria Africa ! ![]() |
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#4 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 174
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Thank you. It'll have to be an extra stop to check tyre pressure then.
5 psi just by having the car in the sun sounds quite a lot (0.34 bar), and a change of 10 psi / 6.8 bar over a race distance really requires some planning and calculating beforehand ... NPP |
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#5 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 9,411
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I shouldn't get too paranoid about checking your tyre pressures.
Once a week when cool will be fine . You would be surprised at a lot of cars on the road as the drivers NEVER check at all ! Last edited by GORDON STREETER; 10 Jun 2008 at 07:01. |
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__________________
Balls of steel (knob of butter) They're Asking For Larkins. ( Proper beer) not you're Eurofizz crap. Hace más calor en España. Me han conocido a hablar un montón cojones! Send any cheques and cash to PO box 1 Lagos Nigeria Africa ! ![]() |
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#6 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,540
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The best idea would be to buy yourself a gauge so you can check your pressures before you set out. That would also add consistency to the checking, using the same gauge, and eliminate the possibility of striking an inaccurate gauge at a petrol station.
After 150km the warming of the tyre would be significant (not huge) due to flexing of the tread as the tyre rotates, and it becomes a guessing game as to what the "real" cold pressure is. |
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#7 | |||
Racer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 174
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Quote:
While we're at it - if you only ever use your car for a 450 km non-stop autobahn trip twice a week (at 160 kph where traffic and the law allow it) and let it sit in the driveway for the rest of the time, would you chose a different "base" pressure from when you do only shorter trips? NPP |
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#8 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,358
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Quote:
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Doing an important job doesn't make you an important person. ![]() |
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#9 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,540
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Agreed, a good idea to adjust pressure to suit conditions. I don't adhere to the figures in the handbook as they are normally biased to a comfortable ride above grip, rolling resistance etc, I am normally a few psi above that. One thing too look at is the wear pattern across the tread face of the tyre.
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#10 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 9,411
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As I said its no good getting paranoid about pressures for road cars.
As long as they are checked frequently with a consistent gauge. I often find when servicing vehicles (especially people movers ) some have terrible inconsistencies (as much as + or -30psi) and the drivers (normally women) adapt to driving around the ill handling problem. They will admit to never checking tyre pressures as forecourts don't have anyone to help them anymore, also they don't have the time, as they are too busy taking the kids to school !!! And before I get the flack from the female fraternity, I only said that because most of the "little diamonds" are taken to school by women. |
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__________________
Balls of steel (knob of butter) They're Asking For Larkins. ( Proper beer) not you're Eurofizz crap. Hace más calor en España. Me han conocido a hablar un montón cojones! Send any cheques and cash to PO box 1 Lagos Nigeria Africa ! ![]() |
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#11 | |||
Racer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 174
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Quote:
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#12 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,540
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A side note - the accepted method of road train drivers in the outback for checking their tyre pressures is to walk around the rig with a length of pipe thumping each tyre - the "boing" sound gives an indication of pressure. When they have over 60 tyres to check (not including spares) you can understand why a quicker if slightly less precise method is used! (this is for a truck with 3 'A' trailers, some have more)
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