Returning from our 145 mile trip Monday, and the "tire pressure alert" that is on our 2007 Silverado 2500 HD alerted us that the Rear tires had a pressure in the 90's; the max recommended is 79/80. Cold tires were about 81 and 84 respectively this morning.
So I assume I must reduce the tire's psi. What would be recommended? Do I lower the psi when I'm towing? Increase it when I'm not? The outside air temp had increased into the 80's and we had been driving about 2 hours, towing our trailer.
What might happen if the pressure were too high? We are planning a 400 mile trip in June and don't want any surprises.
Is it recommended to check tire pressure before every trip? On the trailer too?
Recommend check tire pressure every morning, truck and trailer, while tires are still cold. If you do not have the tire makers inflation recommendation for your actual weight, run at max psi found on tire sidewall.
If you fill them to the cold tire pressure when they are cold you should be fine. If the cold pressure is 80, as mine are, they are going to build up more pressure as they warm up but you should be fine. Yes, check all the tire presure before each trip, TT too.
DavesWife wrote: Is it recommended to check tire pressure before every trip? On the trailer too?
Did you actually get out with a pressure gauge and check them yourself? I wouldn't rely on a computer telling me something.
They are not that accurate. Tire pressure does go up when driving and goes up faster with the time of day, sunny, road conditions, weight on vehicle, etc.
Under inflation is a problem that can lead to greater problems. When your tires are under inflated, they run hotter, provide less traction, wear out sooner and reduce fuel mileage. In certain situations, under inflation can lead to tire failure and/or loss of vehicle control. For all these reasons, it makes sense to take a few minutes to check your tires and their pressures on a regular basis.
So YES, tire pressure should be checked prior to each departure. Always check tire pressure when the tires are cold.
2008 Chevy Silverado 4x4 3500 RC/LB 6.0
2007 Chevy GS Conquest Super C 6340DK
2007 Chevy HHR Toad 2LT 2.4
1990 Chevy G20 Cargo Van 305
1967 Chevy Camaro Pro Street 468/650hp BBC
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The proper way to set tire pressure is before driving on them (known as setting them cold). Once you do this the tire manufacturers KNOW that the pressure will increase as conditions change. Tires heat up for a number of reasons but it is not necessary too get out and constantly adjust the pressure. check them again the next morning and you're good to go. If you start obsessing about pressure changes you'll find yourself getting out and making adjustments every time you go around a curve and take the sunlight from a different angle or go up or down a hill changing elevation by a couple of hundred feet. The time to have made changes was before starting out and finding one tire 5 lb over inflated. Good luck / Skip
DavesWife wrote: Yes, I was relying on the truck's computer system. Hubby still can't believe we get a monthly email from "the truck" with an onboard systems update.
Will add "check tire pressures - cold - with tire guage" to our "ready to go" checklist.
Great tips, thanks everyone!
Do you actually run your rear axle at 6084#, which is its tires maximum rating requiring the 80psi cold inflation?
If you are running substantially under the 6084# you can reduce your pressures a little.
For example I run close to 5000# on my rear axle. (LT245/75R16 tires)
According to this chart, I am OK at 60psi when loaded and 35psi when not. (Rear axle is carrying under 3000#). I actually run 65psi and 40psi for the two conditions.
I run 45 psi front under both conditions as the weight on that axle does not change.
Keith J, Retired from GM Engineering
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE 2WD/CC/SB/DA.
1999 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver
Bilsteins, Line-X, Westin steps, Prodigy, Retrax, 16K Superglide, 5th-Airborne pin-box, Multi-vex mirrors.
This onboard pressure monitor deal on the new Chevrolets is about to drive my Mom nuts. My Dad constantly monitors the pressure and reports it to Mom as they travel. He is constantly messing with the tires before they leave and then if one is at 37 and the others at 35 while driving he gets upset. He is driving the poor woman crazy with this thing.
She confided in me about this deal. I told him to check them cold and forget them. Since that talk she said he is doing better. Last weekend she said he just checked them once on a 140 mile round trip, and did not comment to her on the readings.
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Z-71
2002 Trail Lite 8261
kaydeejay wrote: Do you actually run your rear axle at 6084#, which is its tires maximum rating requiring the 80psi cold inflation?
If you are running substantially under the 6084# you can reduce your pressures a little.
For example I run close to 5000# on my rear axle. (LT245/75R16 tires)
According to this chart, I am OK at 60psi when loaded and 35psi when not. (Rear axle is carrying under 3000#). I actually run 65psi and 40psi for the two conditions.
I run 45 psi front under both conditions as the weight on that axle does not change.
Confession: Have not checked the tire pressures on the trailer...
kaydeejay wrote: ......If you are running substantially under the 6084# you can reduce your pressures a little.
For example I run close to 5000# on my rear axle. (LT245/75R16 tires)
According to this chart, I am OK at 60psi when loaded and 35psi when not. (Rear axle is carrying under 3000#). I actually run 65psi and 40psi for the two conditions.
I run 45 psi front under both conditions as the weight on that axle does not change.
Keith, I tend to trust your information after looking at your signature line! => "Keith J, Retired from GM Engineering"
I have a new 2008 DMax with the tire pressure info on the DIC. I won't tow for the first time until this weekend, but I filled the rear tires to the max GVWR for my 265/17 inch tires. I forget now, but I think that was 72 psi. I was surprised that the pressure varied maybe 5 lbs or so when I then took a 100 mile trip (I was breaking in the engine). I wonder at what pressure differential the DCI will give a warning message. That figure is probably in the owner's manual, but I don't recall. I figure as long as it's not a LOW Pressure warning I'll ignore it as long as I have recently checked the tires with a gauge when they are cool.
With my previous truck, again a DMax, I had the 16 inch tires, and the max GVWR rear pressure was 80 lbs. I never decreased it when not towing. Mainly because I rarely use the truck for non-towing duties, but also because when I did decrease it I did not note much improvement in ride. So I just left the pressure at 80 psi all the time.
Doug and Kathy
2008 Chevy 2500HD extended cab Duramax/Allison 4WD
2007 Crossroads Cruiser CF30SK
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