Dan,
True enough. As I recall someone a whiole back published a little trial
and error synopsis for how to adjust the pressure in ones tires. I
think it was Barry Schwartz (but as my memory, along with everything
else, is failing I may be wrong). Anyway, it had to do with checking
the footprint of the tire at different pressures and making sure that
the sidewalls were not being scuffed.
I think that doing something like that will allow for the most rubber on
the road while not ensuring that the tires don't have undue wear in
places where they shouldn't.
Joe
DANMAS@aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 98-08-15 16:39:45 EDT, spitlist@gte.net writes:
>
> > It's really not rocket science. If you raise the pressure to the extent
> > that the tires round the tread, you lose traction because the amount of
> > rubber on the ground is decreases.
> >
> > On the other hand, if you decrease the pressure so much that you cause
> > the sidewalls to flex, you increase the lateral movement of the car and
> > that is not helpful for handling. You also risk rolling the tread and
> > lose traction that way.
> >
> > So the trick is to find that happy point where the pressure is right in
> > between those tow points.
>
> Joe,
>
> True, but between these two limits there is a lot of leeway. As you increase
> pressure, the tire's footprint becomes shorter and wider. As you decrease
> pressure, the footprint becomes longer and narrower.
>
> For handling, short and wide is the way to go.
>
> A little bit too much is better than a little bit too little.
>
> A whole lot more, or a whole lot less, will kill handling.
>
> Fuel economy and ride comfort are different subjects.
>
> As is tire wear.
>
> At least according to Fred Puhn.
>
> And other experts I've read over the years.
>
> I am not one.
>
> It's not rocket science, but it's not intuitively obvious either.
>
> Dan Masters,
> Alcoa, TN
>
> '71 TR6---------3000mile/year driver, fully restored
> '71 TR6---------undergoing full restoration and Ford 5.0 V8 insertion - see:
> http://www.sky.net/~boballen/mg/Masters/
> '74 MGBGT---3000mile/year driver, original condition - slated for a V8 soon
> '68 MGBGT---organ donor for the '74
--
"If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
-- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer
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