how can you tell if tire pressures are right?

[speedevo]

never got the chance to really ask anyone on sundays event cause it slipped my mind but how do i know if i have the right tire pressure? I know the extremes of having it too high/low but how do i determine the right setting?

[J.C.]

Chalking your tires is the cheapest and easiest way to know. It is alot easier to just show you. Using chalk or shoe polish mark the wheels so you can see what wears off after a run. If you come down to far onto the sidewall need more air. If the the marks stay on the tire where the contact patch should be then to much air. The best way is with a temperature gauge. When tire temperature is even across the tire contact patch on all four tires you are at optimum.


P.S. Settings change due to surface conditions, temperature, suspension changes, and different tires. Never ending process for fine tunning. Atleast it is with the Beetle.

[roooo]

You'll know you have the fronts high enough when they don't roll over past the edge of the tread blocks. Also, when they feel stiff enough to give good steering response.

You'll know the backs are the right pressure when your car rotates easily, but is also stable under braking.

[andrew1984]

rotation is not necessarily from rear tire pressures.

alignment plays a huge effect on how you can rotate.