Tire Inflation: Proper PSI to run?

[gatesj at twcny.rr.com (John K. Gates)]

> You definititely do NOT want to run at the max inflation pressure of the
> tire. If you drive for an extended period of time the tire will get hotter
> and the pressure will go up exceeding the max rating.
> For street use I try to run at a pressure that gives me even tire wear
> across the tread, which usually works out to ~28 psi. Works for 175/70 x 13,
> 185/60 x 14 and 205/40 x 16. Plus no sense making the ride harsher for a 1%
> performance gain on the street.
> For autocross or track use, obviously, the pressure should be set higher to
> limit sidewall deformation under lateral load.

Well, my understanding is that the max inflation on the sidewall is a 
cold measurement, there's extra engineered in there for pressure 
increasing from heat.  Tires are tested to 2x that pressure for burst, 
because of the need to engineer in allowance for hitting road hazards, 
etc...

But yes, even tire wear is had on a scirocco 28-32psi...

John Gates
--
'85 Scirocco
'97 Jetta GLX