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This From CBS Early Show website Posted by Ian Glenday [Email] (#95) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ian Glenday) on Mon, 5 Feb 2007 20:12:39 In Reply to: Help me understand this, TG, Mon, 5 Feb 2007 05:08:50 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
"How about the common perception that the lower the tire pressure, the better traction the vehicle will have. Is this true?
Well, you might get better traction, but the negative effects of lower air pressure are far worse than just getting bad traction, and you're not guaranteed good traction with lower air pressure. There's significant flexing where the rubber meets the road and it can cause your tire to blow out. It's really important to keep your tires properly inflated. An even better thing to do is to put a dedicated radial snow tire on all four corners of the car. Snow tires are made from rubber compounds that are designed to stay flexible in the cold; normal year-round tires may be flexible in summer, but become like hardened plastic in the cold.
Tire pressure is critical. You should be checking once a week, ideally, and minimally once a month. Frequent and wide temperature swings can make a huge difference in tire pressure; you could be losing or have lost nine to twelve 9 to 12 pounds per square inch. So you really need to monitor the pressure."
Tire Rack also agrees that lowering tire pressure by 20% is looking for more danger. I have seen this debated for several decades now and having driven many miles in snow throughout North America and in Europe, I would never deflate my tires.
Ian
_______________________________________ Ian 1959 93b 1967 96V4 1968 99 1974 99L 1988 900S 1988 900 1994 900S 1996 900S 1999 9-5SE, 2.3lpt 1995 9000 CSE 2006 9-3SC, 2.0T
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