In a message dated 98-08-15 16:39:45 EDT, spitlist@gte.net writes:
> It's really not rocket science. If you raise the pressure to the extent
> that the tires round the tread, you lose traction because the amount of
> rubber on the ground is decreases.
>
> On the other hand, if you decrease the pressure so much that you cause
> the sidewalls to flex, you increase the lateral movement of the car and
> that is not helpful for handling. You also risk rolling the tread and
> lose traction that way.
>
> So the trick is to find that happy point where the pressure is right in
> between those tow points.
Joe,
True, but between these two limits there is a lot of leeway. As you increase
pressure, the tire's footprint becomes shorter and wider. As you decrease
pressure, the footprint becomes longer and narrower.
For handling, short and wide is the way to go.
A little bit too much is better than a little bit too little.
A whole lot more, or a whole lot less, will kill handling.
Fuel economy and ride comfort are different subjects.
As is tire wear.
At least according to Fred Puhn.
And other experts I've read over the years.
I am not one.
It's not rocket science, but it's not intuitively obvious either.
Dan Masters,
Alcoa, TN
'71 TR6---------3000mile/year driver, fully restored
'71 TR6---------undergoing full restoration and Ford 5.0 V8 insertion - see:
http://www.sky.net/~boballen/mg/Masters/
'74 MGBGT---3000mile/year driver, original condition - slated for a V8 soon
'68 MGBGT---organ donor for the '74
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