Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires Ford Reccomended tire pressure for 16"

Dude, we are not talking about SUVs here. The blowout problem widely publicized by NHTSC was on Ford Explorers with Firestone Wilderness AT tires running UNDERINFLATED, like under 30 psi. (More like 24 psi, I can't remember exactly).

32 psi is recommended by Ford for the SVT Contour with g-Force KDWs which have a max pressure rating of 44 psi.

If you auto-x, it's wise to crank up the psi a bit to keep the tire from rolling over and prematurely wearing out the outer tread blocks.

But running 32 psi on your Contour will not result in blowouts, unless something else is wrong with the tire. Please don't spread false information.

Kerry

:rolleyes:

That's great that you've talked to tire engineers. I'm afraid that you have either misunderstood what they told you, or they are giving you bad information. (Knowing the engineers that I know, I expect the former is true.) I also doubt that Tirerack, a company in the business of selling tires, would have missed that engineering gem. To me, they explain it correctly, in as plain English as possible.

Ford Motor Company determined the proper inflation pressure of this car with its weight in mind, and they tell me it's 32 psi cold. On a 205/55ZR16 tire with an "A" Temperature rating. Which is exactly what I have. I know, Ford and Firestone screwed up the Explorer settings. Besides the politics involved (Ford wrote a poor tire spec, Firestone delivered a subpar tire, whatever), the tire rating situation on the SVT Contour is completely different. Niche sports car vs. high profit high volume truck.

But if I was going to lose a tire, this past week would have been it. Have I mentioned the large amount of tire blowout debris fields I dodged last week? Short of driving my car to the Desert Southwest, it was easily the hottest conditions the car is ever going to see on any long drive.

However, I don't have a completely closed mind on this. PM me the tire engineer's email addy and I'd love to hear it right from him/her.

PA, you said that the pressure rating is for a 205/55 tire. My tires came on cougar wheels and are 215/50, I thought that eas the same size as SVT's?? or just e1's??

-Pete

Here's a thought: It is obvious most tires have a max pressure of 44PSI..what if that is the max for that tire depending on the car and is meant as a means of not exceeding the "max"? I was told to go no higher than what my recommended PSI is because of the specific weight ratio. Ever since I started riding at the door rate (34 I think), I have a better ride, and yes, less wear. No new tires (or repaired punctures--roll over lots of nails and screws in the studio garage) needed in the past 6 months). Then again, they could have been doing a much better job of sweeping up now than they have in the past.

Kerry I know the difference between a SUV and a car! Do you honestly think that SUV's are the only thing to blow a tire? If you think I'm spreading false info get you manual out of the glove box find the tire brochure and call the phone # listed and bust there chops for the info, because thats where it came from! :rolleyes:

Tell you what PA you call the tire manufacturers and talk to them, thats how it all started with me. Then later on I worked in a few tire plants and talked personaly with them about the subject face to face. I dont have there email addy. I did not misunderstand anything and I know that they didnt give me bad info because since I have followed there advise I've had 0 problems with performance tires. No fast wear outs, no funky treadwear and NO cuping. Maybe I didnt convey the info in a clear way. I'm sorry about that. I really didnt mean to cause this much confussion. All I'm trying to get across is the pressure listed on the door label is NOT the recomendation from the tire co. It is Fords recomendation so that your car will have a nice smooth ride and if they done there homework right a safe ride at the recomended speed limits. Which you admit you ignore. That tire or any tire for that matter WILL RUN HOTTER at the lower end of the recomended pressure range than at the higher end! Plus you add the fact that many here are driving with heavy sub woofer box's and many freinds in there car which is increasing the weight load on the tires then throw in the high speed driving and you could have BIG problems. I'm NOT saying your tires will blow at 32 lbs. What I'm trying to get accross is dont ignore your tires and take into consideration what kinds of loads your putting them under and inflate them properly. Like I was told experiment with the pressure and see what works for your application, but take ALL variables into consideration.