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tire question from a babe

Discussion in 'Wheels and Tires' started by scionbabe, May 10, 2008.

  1. Offline

    scionbabe New Member

    Member Since:
    May 10, 2008
    Location:
    2006 tC Scion
    so im a girl and i barely know anything about cars. therefore the question im about to ask is going to be a stupid one.

    my tires is looking a little deflated.. and it probably needs more air. but my question is how much air do you put in and how do you read those meters?!
    i have a stocked 06 tc if that helps.

    i would gladly appreciate your help! im going through "independent" issues with my 'rents so i rather have you guys help than them!
    scionbabe, May 10, 2008
    #1
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    Graphite New Member

    Member Since:
    Mar 6, 2008
    Location:
    2006 scion tc
    I think the fronts are 32 psi (ponds per square inch) & the rears are 29 psi. Check the sticker on the inside of the drivers door jamb.

    Always check your tires cold. When you drive the tires heat up and the air pressure rises, causing inaccurate readings on your tire pressure gauge.

    Using a tire pressure gauge, make sure the slide is all the way in, and press it against your tire valve like you were gonna put air in it. It'll slide out a little, and that will be your reading. See what the numbers say, & compare it to the sticker.

    I have an 06 also. You should have a tire pressure monitor system that will tell you if you're running low. If the yellow light isn't on, leave your tires alone. They're ok.
    Hope that helps.
    Graphite, May 10, 2008
    #2
  3. Offline

    scionbabe New Member

    Member Since:
    May 10, 2008
    Location:
    2006 tC Scion

    ahhh! your amazing! that will help a bunch!
    scionbabe, May 10, 2008
    #3
  4. Offline

    TBITB New Member

    Member Since:
    Nov 30, 2007
    Location:
    06
    get yourself a pressure guage from pep boys or autozone or some place like that. they are inexpensive. you could get a fancy digital one or just a regular one.
    TBITB, May 10, 2008
    #4
  5. Offline
    • Staff / Moderator

    navylife59 Super Moderator

    Member Since:
    Mar 22, 2006
    Location:
    2005 Scion Tc
    32PSI has always been the magic number for me. Good for gas mileage and tire longevity. Some people run up to 35PSI on the highway. I believe that to be too much (unless you are loaded down) and can cause skidding issues in hard braking and hard cornering. Anything over 40~45PSI (depending on the tire manufacturer) and you risk a blowout. When I want to hug the corners or drag, I deflate the tires to 29PSI. Rule of the thumb; " a little bit makes a difference".

    Remember, there are no "dumb" questions.
    navylife59, May 11, 2008
    #5
  6. Offline

    TBITB New Member

    Member Since:
    Nov 30, 2007
    Location:
    06
    2 - 3 psi makes that much difference? i've been guilty of running too high psi for a long time then gonna let some out right now!
    TBITB, May 11, 2008
    #6
  7. Offline

    Graphite New Member

    Member Since:
    Mar 6, 2008
    Location:
    2006 scion tc
    ive noticed with low profile tires, smaller increments in PSI do make a difference. you can tell just like navy said, with either hugging corners with lower PSIs, or skidding with higher.

    on tires with a higher sidewall, i usually up the pressure about 4-5 PSI to get good traction and mileage. any more will wear out the tires in the center. you also have to take into account the brand of tires also. the more expensive ones will have a better construction and a stiffer sidewall versus pep boys $20 tires.

    again this is what i've noticed and what seems to work for me. take a day and play around with different pressures and see what you guys like.
    Graphite, May 11, 2008
    #7
  8. Offline
    • Staff / Moderator

    navylife59 Super Moderator

    Member Since:
    Mar 22, 2006
    Location:
    2005 Scion Tc
    That is correct; smaller tire means smaller volume of air so small increments in PSI will change performance. On airplanes with jumbo tires like the C-130 Hercules, the tires hold a huge volume of air so there is a larger percentage of play in the tire pressure before any changes in performance. Also, changes in temperature and barometric pressure can affect the PSI in your tires. That is one reason why dry nitrogen is used in aircraft tires. This inert gas is less affected by these changes than air.

    As per the 2007-up Maintenance Manual
    Cold tire inflation pressure
    Tire size Front kPa (kgf/cm2, psi) Rear kPa (kgf/cm2, psi)
    215/45ZR17 220 (2.2, 32) 200 (2.0, 29)
    P205/55R16 220 (2.2, 32) 200 (2.0, 29)

    For indepth information on the TPWS (Tire Pressure Warning System) and how it works, follow this link to our Tech Article section.

    http://www.club-tc.com/forums/tc-knowledgebase/3213-tpws-tire-pressure-monitor.html
    navylife59, May 12, 2008
    #8
  9. Offline

    Azn Chief New Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 19, 2008
    Location:
    2008/Scion/tC
    Ahhhhh well this kinda has nothing to do with the question

    But i noticed i had the same B-day as scionbabe.
    Sorry just thought it was cool. That makes two other people who have my same B-day Sweet:D


    June 29, 1992
    Azn Chief, May 14, 2008
    #9

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