Originally Posted by
Gipper
Tyres work like a balloon pressed against a a hard surface. High pressure means that only the centre will contact the surface. Medium Pressure will mean the maximum contact patch and low pressure means that the outside will contact and the centre will bow upwards for less contact and close the water channels.
Having the pressure that high (50psi) will also decrease your grip as the contact patch is limited to the centre of the tyre and the rubber is being pushed outwards.
When I used to race, we would always pump up the tyres to maximum in the wet as they increased the width of the channels, so dissapated more water.
However you also get less rubber contacting the road. When cornering, the shoulders do most of the work and at high pressure the shoulders also have less contact with the road. (hence the lack of feel)
IMHO 35-40psi is more than enough in the dry and best for overall performance
Seconded - Agree with Gipper. Too High Pressure is not good, and I reckon the ride would be unbearable - like driving round on solid rubber!
Confirmed Global Warming Sceptic. No Longer a VW Owner -Loving my new 2011 Range Rover Sport - bought as VW unable to provide info on the new Toureg despite it being released overseas 12 mths ago. 2008 R36 Wagon, 2006 GTI and 2004 R32 - Gone. Sorry VW, you make great cars but until you improve your customers' experiences you will lose customers
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