Here's a copy of an e-mail I sent to Popular Mechanics today. I
was irate that the lube shop had inflated my Spitfire tires to 44psi.
Last year they did the very same thing to my Midget. It's almost double
what both cars require. Incidentally, my book on my '75 Spitfire shows
21psi front, and 26psi rear; is this correct?
Nick D. Benson
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 1995 15:06:44 -0700 (MST)
From: Nick Benson <grayoak@holly.ACNS.ColoState.EDU>
To: popularmechanics@hearst.com
Subject: Tire pressures & safety
Dear Scott Oldham,
Why do those franchised "speedy lube" shops insist on inflating
tires to the maximum pressure that's printed on the tire? Most cars do
not need anywhere near the maximum pressure on the tire. When I called
and asked the manager why they had put 44psi in my Triumph Spitfire tires
his reply was that unless the customer specifically requests a pressure,
they always use the number on the tire. My point was that in the
interest of safety, they should have a reference chart that gives the
recommended pressures for cars. A tire that is inflated to twice the
pressure required is very unsafe; the footprint it leaves on the road is
minimal. He mentioned that some customers preferred a softer or stiffer
ride and would tell them what pressure to put in. This is crazy to me;
it's like the mechanic coming out and asking you what torque you would
"prefer" on your front brake calipers! Is there any OSHA regulation that
would cover such blatant ignorance of this safety issue? What about the
people who have no idea how unsafe over-inflated tires can be? They are
driving around between service visits ignorant to the fact that someone
cannot take the time to check what is the safe pressure for their car.
Let's face it, the ONLY thing that's between you and the road is
your tires, and if some service shop mechanic is unaware of how unsafe
over inflated tires can be, your $50,000 car suddenly becomes as
dangerous as the forty year old pick-up truck with treadless tires.
Sincerely,
Nick D. Benson
Department of Industrial Sciences
Colorado State University
Fort Collins CO
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