Snow Tire psi question

**Waynetc** · 10-28-2007, 08:33 AM

I was not able to find a thread on this. If one exists please point me too it.

I'm curious - those that switch to snow tires soon...do you keep the tire at the spec psi throughout the season? Do you boost it when the roads are clear? Winter out here can be very strange with weeks of no snow on the roads, then wham......

thanks.

Guillermo · 10-28-2007, 11:14 AM

I keep my winter tires at about 42 psi most of the time.
But if I have to drive in slippery conditions for long distances sometimes I drop the pressure down to 32 psi to maximize grip in ice and snow.

Scott · 10-29-2007, 09:23 AM

I run my Nokian RSI's at 42 psi all winter.

MikeF · 11-01-2007, 04:40 PM

I keep my Nokian Hakka 2s at the same 40psi I use for the OEMs I run in the summer. Been very happy with them at that psi.

BillR · 11-22-2007, 01:37 PM

I run at 40 psi with my Blizzaks.

Lotus · 11-22-2007, 04:23 PM

Here, in quebec, I found that you have to run at 32 for maximum grip. Everything elese is just not enough grip.

Prince Valiant · 11-23-2007, 12:02 PM

I run 44psi front, 46psi rear on my winterforce tires. In the slick stuff the other day I went down to 32 front and rear and noticed a healthy improvement in traction. I have a 50 gallon compressor in the house, so refilling after snow storms isn't a hassle.

Also noted I experience about a 10% difference b/w high and low pressure setting.

**Waynetc** · 11-24-2007, 08:40 AM

Thanks for all the info. I put the Noki rsi's on my "one of a kind" custom ebay wheels and have them at 42 psi for now. Nice ride compared to the RE92's.

No snow yet, but I'm keeping a pressure gauge in the car. It sounds like 32 is the magic number when the snow belt womps me here in NE Ohio.

Btw - I'll post a picture soon of the car with the wheels. You'll all get a hoot over what I did for cheap.

psuinsight · 11-28-2007, 07:43 PM

I keep my Nokian Hakkas at their rated pressure. I do not pump up since this can degrade traction. I need all the traction I can get in Central PA mountains. My mileage averages about 50 to 55 with the Hakkas, but I am no hypermiler. I get about 55 mpg with the stock tires which I do pump up.

**Waynetc** · 11-29-2007, 12:35 PM

Here's the strange thing - The brand new noki RSI's are on, heavier wheels are on and the full front foamy radiator block is in. MPG is going up. go figure....