Bob R
Favorite Answer
You should follow the car manufacturers recommendations which are found on the label attached to the right (or left) door jamb. They are also listed in your owners manual.
Naughtums
You follow the guidlines of the vehicle manufacturer, the Rubber Manufacturers Association, the Tire Industry Association, the company that made your tires and what it actually says on the sidewall (you didn't read the fine print, did you?) and put in what the vehicle manufacturer says.
So what if the tire has a maximum inflation pressure of 51 psi? What does that have to do with the pressure that should be put in that tire when mounted on your particular year/make/model of vehicle?
Absolutely nothing.
Maximum is not the same as recommended. What it says on the sidewall is merely informational - this tire can carry X amount of weight at the not-to-exceed-so-you-don't-kill-yourself maximum inflation pressure of X psi.
On a vehicle that recommends 35 psi inflating the tire to 51 psi will reduce traction and cornering capability, increase stopping distances, reduce ride quality, increase tire wear and make the tires more susceptible to damage from road hazards such as pot holes.
For once, the majority of folks answered this question correctly, the notable exception being Mark W, who clearly does not understand that correct inflation pressure is determined by tire size, not brand or model. It doesn't matter if you have OEM or replacement tires on the car so long as they are the same size the inflation remains what it says in the door.
mark w
are they the original tires ? if not then the sticker on the door does not know what kind of tires are on the car it is just a sticker they must be a heavy duty tire to have a max that high. running the tires at the max press. will give you the longest tire life but a rough ride so 40-45psi should make everybody happy
all tires the same size do not mean they need the same psi it depends on the side wall thickness and the ply of the tire expl. a 15 inch 4 ply highway tire only takes 35psi to make the tire ride flat on the ground a 15 10 ply LT or truck tire needs more psi to make the whole surface touch the ground mark f I'am also a tire retailer I hope u explain this to you're customer's better and do not tell them every tire only need's 35 psi just because of the size. the company that built the tire spends alot of money on research to determain the best life for there tires
Anonymous
Contrary to what some people think the pressure on the side of the tire is not the pressure for your particular ride the pressure for your car is on the sticker on the door jamb in this case 32 psi
Kyle M
Go with the manufacturer's recommendation of 35 PSI. The max pressure stated on the tire is just that - maximum rated sustainable pressure at a given load.