What Tire Pressures to Run on Long Trip with a Bit of Weight...

JFUSION21 · 07-01-2009, 01:53 PM

We're about to embark on a long summer trip, 3500 miles across the south eastern U.S. states and back home to Ontario Canada. The 09 Escape 2.5 cyl. 6 speed auto. is going to be loaded pretty good. Three adults, one child , and perhaps 300 lbs of travelling "stuff" in the cargo area. I normally pump up my tires to assist with the extra load and give me a smidge more fuel economy, and also to keep the tires running cooler.

In past years I drove our Fusion, this will be the first trip in the Escape.
What air pressure would you guys run on a long trip with added weight load in the vehicle ?. I know the weight load will be within the maximum load rating, but I'd like to pump up the tire a bit more the recommended setting of 32psi. I was thinking to go 5 psi above the recommended setting, so say 37 psi, which is still well below the maximum air pressure recommendation of the tires. Any recommendations on this ?, any advice would be helpful, thanks.

wptski · 07-01-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFUSION21

We're about to embark on a long summer trip, 3500 miles across the south eastern U.S. states and back home to Ontario Canada. The 09 Escape 2.5 cyl. 6 speed auto. is going to be loaded pretty good. Three adults, one child , and perhaps 300 lbs of travelling "stuff" in the cargo area. I normally pump up my tires to assist with the extra load and give me a smidge more fuel economy, and also to keep the tires running cooler.

In past years I drove our Fusion, this will be the first trip in the Escape.
What air pressure would you guys run on a long trip with added weight load in the vehicle ?. I know the weight load will be within the maximum load rating, but I'd like to pump up the tire a bit more the recommended setting of 32psi. I was thinking to go 5 psi above the recommended setting, so say 37 psi, which is still well below the maximum air pressure recommendation of the tires. Any recommendations on this ?, any advice would be helpful, thanks.

Look at the range marked on the tires conpared to the door sticker and make the call yourself.

JFUSION21 · 07-01-2009, 06:03 PM

well maximum tire pressure is 44 psi cold, and recommended pressure is 32 psi. I've often heard that a safe level is to add 50% of the difference between recommended and maximum pressures to the recommended pressure. That would be approx. 38 psi based on that forumula, so 37 should be within reason.. Anyone have any different opinions against increasing tire pressures ?

wptski · 07-01-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFUSION21

well maximum tire pressure is 44 psi cold, and recommended pressure is 32 psi. I've often heard that a safe level is to add 50% of the difference between recommended and maximum pressures to the recommended pressure. That would be approx. 38 psi based on that forumula, so 37 should be within reason.. Anyone have any different opinions against increasing tire pressures ?

I once worked with a guy who drove a F250 and talked how he ran the max all the time even without a load. I commented that he would ruin his tires doing that all the time. A few months later he was complaining about the cords showing up center of his tires!

Well the max is at GVW. I found it one time but don't remember the curb weight of a Escape. Figure the difference and maybe that'll give you a better idea of how high you should go.

theoldwizard · 07-02-2009, 10:03 AM

You should absolutely NEVER exceed the maximum cold inflation pressure listed on the side wall of the tire ! NEVER, NEVER, NEVER

Doing so knowingly could cause a blow out and a fatal accident.

Understand also that a tire can easily pick up 2-4 psi when hot. That is why you check them cold.

P.S. I have never seen a max cold pressure of more than 32-35 psi, except on a truck or trailer tire.

JFUSION21 · 07-02-2009, 01:27 PM

yeah you definitely do not exceed the maximum tire pressure listed on the tire, I would never do that and running tires at the max will wear the center of the tire. Maximum tire pressures of 44 psi are quite common, I've seen that on quite a few vehicles that I've owned. The Michelins on the 09 Escape have a max tire pressure rating of 44 psi.

I think the maximum load that you should add to the vehicle is approximately 1000 lbs on my Escape. With three adults, one child and the weight of our travelling goods we are probably approaching that limit, so I thought it would be a good idea to pump up the tires a bit above the recommended setting.