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usrname
Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2008
Posts: 165
Location: Arizona but not Phoenix
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 Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 10:51 am Post subject: Tire Pressure Question |
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| What psi should I be running in the 165/80/R15's on my otherwise stock (mostly) '62 bug? The sidewall says 38 max and the 34 psi I'm running seems pretty stiff. The 16F/20R manual specs for the original stock tires can't be right for these newer tires. Anyone got my size tires? What psi are you running? |
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60ragtop
Bonneville Belt Bitch
Joined: March 13, 2006
Posts: 7801
Location: Big Wonderful WYO 82401
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| Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 10:58 am Post subject: |
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opening a can of worms here  I run 18 front 28 rear on my 165 80 15 on my 60 bug. No one can convince me any different after 200K + |
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glutamodo 
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26524
Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 10:59 am Post subject: |
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It'll ride really rough if you pump them up close to those max numbers you mentioned. Try 18/27:
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Max Welton
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2003
Posts: 11028
Location: Black Forest, CO
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joemac
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2004
Posts: 603
Location: elverson, pa.
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| Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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| You're better off running higher pressures than low. The only down side of higher pressures is the chance that the tire will wear more in the middle of the tread than the outside, but given that you get better fuel mileage, handling and tread life, I think the trade-off is worth it. |
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Max Welton
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2003
Posts: 11028
Location: Black Forest, CO
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glutamodo
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26524
Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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| On my 62, when I've over-inflated the tires, and not even close to the maximum, I certainly do not get longer tread life, I get over-inflation wear. |
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usrname
Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2008
Posts: 165
Location: Arizona but not Phoenix
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| Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Gentlemen, I thank you for your replies. I believe I will let some air out. Out of the tires, I mean! |
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Bruce
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003
Posts: 17573
Location: Left coast, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 12:19 am Post subject: |
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| joemac wrote: |
| You're better off running higher pressures than low. |
You are better off running the correct tire pressures prescribed by VW.
| joemac wrote: |
| The only down side of higher pressures is the chance that the tire will wear more in the middle of the tread than the outside, but given that you get better fuel mileage, handling and tread life, I think the trade-off is worth it. |
The biggest downside is you will have less traction, reducing your braking, increasing the possibility of lockup.
The trade-off you are putting up with is foolish.
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Aynthm
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2010
Posts: 1315
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 4:38 am Post subject: |
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| glutamodo wrote: |
It'll ride really rough if you pump them up close to those max numbers you mentioned. Try 18/27:
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Does anyone know what the third line from the top means? "Quality 32 psi?
Just curious!
Thanks |
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carcass
Samba Member
Joined: June 25, 2011
Posts: 302
Location: Santa Maria,Ca.
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 5:55 am Post subject: |
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It may mean whichever tires you use should be rated for at least 32psi max inflation
(this is a guess,though,because I really don't know) |
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bill may
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2003
Posts: 14160
Location: san diego,ca
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:43 am Post subject: |
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| joemac wrote: |
| You're better off running higher pressures than low. The only down side of higher pressures is the chance that the tire will wear more in the middle of the tread than the outside, but given that you get better fuel mileage, handling and tread life, I think the trade-off is worth it. |
driving beetles from 8-65 till 8-2005 = i used 18-20 front and 27-28 rear. you must know something about driving them i do not.
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Admin note: Bill Passed away - July, 2017
1965 panel bus-Kermit
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=453617 |
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drscope
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 15273
Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 10:35 am Post subject: |
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Here comes the worms!
You can't take the tire sticker from a 45 year old car and expect those pressures to apply to todays tires.
Just as the Bias plys and Radials on the sticker have different pressures, so do todays modern tires!
We have run flats and high pressure tires that were only a dream 45 years ago.
So when putting modern tires on an antique car, you really need to pay more attention to the tire manufacturer's recomendations then to the car manufacturer's recomendations.
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Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch! |
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KTPhil
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 35832
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 11:11 am Post subject: |
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| drscope wrote: |
| So when putting modern tires on an antique car, you really need to pay more attention to the tire manufacturer's recomendations then to the car manufacturer's recomendations. |
But nobody makes cars as light as a VW that uses tires that large (tall). Tire manufacturers haven't considered their products on old VWs for decades. I woudl never drive an old VW with more than 30# in the front tires, no matter what the tire manufacturer says. |
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glutamodo
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26524
Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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| All I know is that when I've run even mildly overinflated compared to VW's specs, I get overinflation wear. |
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bill may
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2003
Posts: 14160
Location: san diego,ca
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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| drscope wrote: |
Here comes the worms!
You can't take the tire sticker from a 45 year old car and expect those pressures to apply to todays tires.
Just as the Bias plys and Radials on the sticker have different pressures, so do todays modern tires!
We have run flats and high pressure tires that were only a dream 45 years ago.
So when putting modern tires on an antique car, you really need to pay more attention to the tire manufacturer's recomendations then to the car manufacturer's recomendations. |
165 X 15 tires are close to 155 X 15 tires that are correct size for beetle. watch what pressure you run on a 1958-1967 swing axle beetle. maybe t-roy can give some input as he auto crosses beetles. i stand by my statement from driving them for a few years and having tried differant sizes and wheels. with front sway bars and original EMPI camber compensaters and without. to make a statement like "here comes the worms" without suggesting real world experience of yours is kinda lame. 
_________________
Admin note: Bill Passed away - July, 2017
1965 panel bus-Kermit
"Camping is cheaper than therapy"
www.sv2s.com
www.steeringboxscrapers.net
SBS #100
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=453617 |
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Bruce
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003
Posts: 17573
Location: Left coast, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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| drscope wrote: |
Here comes the worms!
You can't take the tire sticker from a 45 year old car and expect those pressures to apply to todays tires.
Just as the Bias plys and Radials on the sticker have different pressures, so do todays modern tires!
We have run flats and high pressure tires that were only a dream 45 years ago.
So when putting modern tires on an antique car, you really need to pay more attention to the tire manufacturer's recomendations then to the car manufacturer's recomendations. |
We've already been through this. Nothing has changed.
It was only 8 years ago that VW was still manufacturing the Beetle in Mexico, installing 155/80/15 tires. Recommended pressures are 18.5/27 psi. Just the same as in the 60s.
You will never find any tire manufacturer making specific tire pressure recommendations for any car because they have no idea how the tire is loaded.
_________________
| overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
| ..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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wizcleland
Samba Member
Joined: July 31, 2011
Posts: 87
Location: toronto
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 5:49 pm Post subject: tire pressure..HUGE difference |
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I totally agree with the lowering the front pressures! Had Pirelli p7's put all around and never thought to check what pressures they were at. Had just got the car so decided that its supposed to be 'rough' WRONG. WOW, what a difference. tHey were at 30 all around. Settled on 20 and 28 front and rear, may go lower on the front but a LOT of potholes here and think the extra pressure cushions the rims a bit more...
running Pirelli P7's 195/50R15s on all four corners.
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starplot
Samba Member
Joined: October 06, 2011
Posts: 12
Location: Tomball, TX
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| Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:54 am Post subject: Great info, but what's the final word? |
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| I just bought a '62 and the tires on it say maximum 44 psi. I was just curious what the recommended pressure was supposed to be since there is no sticker in the glove box anymore. Do we have a consensus here? |
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60ragtop
Bonneville Belt Bitch
Joined: March 13, 2006
Posts: 7801
Location: Big Wonderful WYO 82401
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| Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 11:06 am Post subject: |
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| No, no consensus never will be. Do a search and come up with your own. |
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