Tire Pressure and Snow

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Brandon002

What other reason could there be? I did nothing aside from changing the tire pressure.

I drove to my brothers, increased tire pressure at his house and drove home. Road conditions were the same both ways. The only varied factor was tire pressure. Steering was better, braking was better, acceleration was better and understeer was greatly reduced. So what other factor could there be?

I haven't read that anyone has said your results are false.

What I am saying is your results are not the norm and should not be interpreted as a truism but as a rare happenstance.

Adjusting the tire pressure will change responsiveness, stability and traction.
Increasing tire pressure of a given tire beyond recommended PSI will reduce traction and improve responsiveness and stability. Lowering tire pressure of a given tire under the recommended inflation will improve traction and reduce responsiveness and stability. Excessive over or under inflation will result in unsafe handling characteristics and/or tire failure.

The +/- range of results from inflation changes will vary by tire. The results of an inflation change of a given tire will not be the same if the conditions are not the same. How much the results change in different conditions varies by tire and by vehicle.

It is reasonable to try inflation changes in an attempt improve responsiveness, stability or traction for the winter. My suggestion would do so a pound or two at a time and expect that 5 pounds or more will result in an unacceptable tradeoff--such as a traction increase that results in unacceptable stability or responsiveness.

It is also reasonable to use a narrower winter tire. A narrower tire will result in more weight over the width of the tire. More weight=shorter width more friction=better traction. Just as with adjustments in tire pressure at some point of decrease in the width of the tire the results will be unacceptable or dangerous.

If I was unhappy with responsiveness, stability or traction of winter tires I purchased I would call the mfg. tech sources and explain the problem and get their recommendation of tire pressure ranges that would help and whether I have the correct tire. I don't see this issue as one to pioneer.