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I have a 76 coupe and on the inside of the driver side door it states that tire pressure should be: Front 20 psi cold and Rear 26 psi cold. Obviously the sticker is not lying but that just seems a bit low. Can anyone confirm this or offer optional pressures for best performance. As always thanks in advance for any help.
OEM tire pressures of that era were artificially low to promote good ride quality with the early (and crude) radial tires.
With modern radial tires I recommend 32/32 all around with SBs and maybe a bit more front pressure for BBs.
Higher tire pressure improves steering response and handling, results in less heat buildup in the tire, which increases safety margin, and also yields better fuel economy. Low pressures cause more tire flex, which increases the amount of heat they generate and this wasted energy is supplied by the engine. Also, excess heat buildup is the number one cause of tire structural failures such as tread separations, which can lead to loss of vehicle controls.
Higher speed rated tires also provide more safety margin because they will handle more heat without failing. I will never, ever, put less than a H-rated tire on any car I own and prefer V or higher ratings if they are available in suitable sizes.
As usual Duke has given you good information. I would just like to add mfg.'s like to see a safety margin and look at understeer to be a lessor evil than oversteer therefore another reason for the lower pressure in the front and higher in the rear.
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