My name is Jim. I am not a special person. Just a simple man searching for the best bang for my buck.
On April 25th, I put to rest a set of Nokian WR G2 SUV 215/70 16 tires. They served me well for 64,500 miles. They stood tall at about 41psi throughout their lifetime. I replaced them with a set of Michelin LTX MS 215/70 16.
These were placed on my 2005 Chevrolet Astro 8 passenger van. It has been converted/used for work. It's psi placard calls for this size tire and a psi of 38.
Upon the first day of travels at 38psi, I found the van to be very sloppy. On the second day of operation, I began to measure, monitor, and modify the cold psi as well as the hot operating psi.
Within the first 9 days of operation, I conducted at least 27 recorded psi/temp/time measurements. I also decided on the best cold psi for my van/tire combo. I traveled 600 miles during those 9 days, and my average mpg was 17.3.
During the next/last 30 days of operation at my new cold psi standard, I have traveled over 3,100 miles, achieved an average of 18.4 mpg, and recorded another 60 psi/temp/time measurements.
I will say in closing that...
I am very happy with my results.
This is not for those not willing to put in the work, measurements, and monitoring required to make safe decisions.
I have done this with my past sets of tires also.
I believe that...
Neither the vehicle psi placard, nor the tire sidewall max are absolutes, just guidelines/starting points.
Everyone's results/needs will be different.
There is No Simple Calculation that Applies to Everyone.
Your Mileage May Vary, Jim
PS My operating psi is over both the placard and the sidewall recommendations.
On April 25th, I put to rest a set of Nokian WR G2 SUV 215/70 16 tires. They served me well for 64,500 miles. They stood tall at about 41psi throughout their lifetime. I replaced them with a set of Michelin LTX MS 215/70 16.
These were placed on my 2005 Chevrolet Astro 8 passenger van. It has been converted/used for work. It's psi placard calls for this size tire and a psi of 38.
Upon the first day of travels at 38psi, I found the van to be very sloppy. On the second day of operation, I began to measure, monitor, and modify the cold psi as well as the hot operating psi.
Within the first 9 days of operation, I conducted at least 27 recorded psi/temp/time measurements. I also decided on the best cold psi for my van/tire combo. I traveled 600 miles during those 9 days, and my average mpg was 17.3.
During the next/last 30 days of operation at my new cold psi standard, I have traveled over 3,100 miles, achieved an average of 18.4 mpg, and recorded another 60 psi/temp/time measurements.
I will say in closing that...
I am very happy with my results.
This is not for those not willing to put in the work, measurements, and monitoring required to make safe decisions.
I have done this with my past sets of tires also.
I believe that...
Neither the vehicle psi placard, nor the tire sidewall max are absolutes, just guidelines/starting points.
Everyone's results/needs will be different.
There is No Simple Calculation that Applies to Everyone.
Your Mileage May Vary, Jim
PS My operating psi is over both the placard and the sidewall recommendations.