Tire pressure for tires on a model A Ford

[Ron52]

Here in Europe when you pull into the Gas Station either for gas or Check the Air in your tires, Very close to $8.00 a gallon for gas, the air is free. Problem not the price of gas, but the measure of the air in Bar. Internet says 2.5 bar is over 36 lbs. Hard to get 2.4, which is below 35. OPERATORS Manual says 35 PSI. What do you recommend for the correct pressure of bar for my tudor 1930 Model A Ford. Normally run three to four adults in the car no load.

[1930-Pickup]

2.5 bar is fine for a cool tire. The air temperature and the tire temperature make the tire pressures vary a lot more than 0.1 bar.

Besides, the pressure on one gauge probably wont match exactly to the next gauge anyway.

[eagle]

I run 45 lbs (3.1 bar) on my 29, 21 inch wheels. Have for years. Catch lots of flack on it here every time I mention it but three reasons: 1- drives better, especially in a sidewind. 2- sidewalls don't squish as much 3- tires wear more evenly.

[Purdy Swoft]

I have always inflated my model A tires to 35 psi

[burner31]

I don't see a "BAR" listed as a measurement scale on the pressure gauge.
Would not one of these gauges take all the guess work out of it.
Don't know how they measure pressure in Europe, never been there, they sent me the other way, during the "conflict"

[Big hammer]

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On one of my modern cars cold pressure was 35 psi hot pressure 39psi, If you are driving to the station to fill the tires your 2.5 bars may be a little low!

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

I have always inflated my model A tires to .035 psi

That's purdy low..I guess it's only flat on the bottom tho.

[updraught]

Originally Posted by eagle

I run 45 lbs (3.1 bar) on my 29, 21 inch wheels. Have for years. Catch lots of flack on it here every time I mention it but three reasons: 1- drives better, especially in a sidewind. 2- sidewalls don't squish as much 3- tires wear more evenly.

OK. Here is your flack this time:

A 4wd magazine here did brake tests with "reduced" tyre pressure.
Commonly done here on rough roads.

They found significant improvement in braking distance by reducing pressure. ie. it lengthens the contact patch.

From a quick search:

"Comparison of results shows that the vehicle had the longest stopping distance when the tires were inflated to 20% higher pressure than indicated by the vehicle manufacturer."

http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.i...130202.01.html

[1930-Pickup]

Originally Posted by eagle

I run 45 lbs (3.1 bar) on my 29, 21 inch wheels. Have for years. Catch lots of flack on it here every time I mention it but three reasons: 1- drives better, especially in a sidewind. 2- sidewalls don't squish as much 3- tires wear more evenly.

I wont give you any flack
I'll leave that for your passengers after the 'incident'

[Dollar Bill]

Updraught posted: OK. Here is your flack this time: A 4wd magazine here did brake tests with "reduced" tyre pressure. Commonly done here on rough roads. They found significant improvement in braking distance by reducing pressure. ie. it lengthens the contact patch. "Comparison of results shows that the vehicle had the longest stopping distance when the tires were inflated to 20% higher pressure than indicated by the vehicle manufacturer."


It's very likely the article you cited were testing radial tires where bias ply tires will handle much differently.

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

That's purdy low..I guess it's only flat on the bottom tho.

Uh oh Must have been thinking about the setting on my W 18 spark plugs . Actually thirty five pounds per square inch is well inflated for my use . any more inflation would ride rough and could probably skid easily .

[California Travieso]

Most tire manufactures suggest a range for inflating each type of tire. The range should be on the side wall of the tire. You're probably safe as long as you don't exceed the high
number.

If you want to be right on 35 lbs., buy a U.S. tire gauge and a tire inflator. Since Ford built Model A's around the world, there must be an Owner's Manual written with metric values.

We have guagues here in the U.S. with digital readouts. If you have a digital gauge with a digital readout in the metric system, that may solve your problem.

If you have to use the gas station to fill your tires, have them use the high number and let out air out until your have the pressure you want using your gauge

David Serreano

[eagle]

Mine say max PSI 45 lbs, that's right where I keep them.

[Jeff/Illinois]

35 lbs. here.

I don't know how that translates in metric.

Give them time some clown will figure out a way to tax the air it won't be 'free' anymore

[1930-Pickup]

Originally Posted by eagle

Mine say max PSI 45 lbs, that's right where I keep them.

I also can run at 20 MPH with the right shoes. That doesn't mean I do 20 all the time.

The proper pressure, for ALL tires, is determined by several key engineering factors. One factor that engineers can't design in is the exact operating load that you will be placing on the tire. They can only specify a safety range, or 'max pressure' if you will. Why would anyone want to drive on tires that are at the very edge of the safety zone?

The proper tire pressure will create a footprint ideal for traction, mileage, comfort, braking, and so on. It's up to the owner to take the operation of his/her vehicle into consideration in setting the right tire pressure. Does a near empty roadster place the same load on the tires as a full sedan?...of course not.

It's a lot like oil viscosity for new cars. Rather than specifying different oils for different climate zones, today's car manufactures specify one type of oil for everyone. Makes life simple, but its a compromise. Compromise is what its all about...that's why Ford specified 35 PSI for the general public in Model A tires.

[Purdy Swoft]

Thanks 1930 pickup .

[pooch]

Originally Posted by updraught

OK. Here is your flack this time:

A 4wd magazine here did brake tests with "reduced" tyre pressure.
Commonly done here on rough roads.

They found significant improvement in braking distance by reducing pressure. ie. it lengthens the contact patch.

From a quick search:

"Comparison of results shows that the vehicle had the longest stopping distance when the tires were inflated to 20% higher pressure than indicated by the vehicle manufacturer."

http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.i...130202.01.html

I guess these dudes forget that old rims have no safety bead to lock the bead on.

Wonder how low you can go, before a forceful braking episode will spin the tyre on the rim and chop the valve off.

[Ron52]

Only measure in bar here in Europe.

[Mike V. Florida]

35 pounds
2.4 bar

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

If we had SOLID RUBBER Tires, there'd be NOTHING to talk about!
Bill Quiet