Re: V8 Quattro tyres

[LToy@aol.com]

>Higher tire inflation may result in better handling. But no matter what 
>you see/plan for higher tire pressure, don't ever go over the inflation 
>limit that's stamped on the side wall -- that's just pure dangerous.

That is what the manufacturers would have you believe.  In order for a tire
to be street-certified (DOT), AND in order to pass the muster with their
insurance companies and legal-types, tires are built to a much higher safety
level than indicated by the inflation limit--afterall, we consumers have to
be protected from our own stupidity of overinflating a tire now and
then--like when the rental car tire has a slow leak that i can fake out for a
couple days by inflating to about 50 psi--besides, it'll be around 32 psi
sometime tomorrow when i return it ;-)  Actually, I recall an article from
R&T (?) some years back talking about TRC (mfgr's test facility)--the article
mentioned that tires have to pass max stress tests (typically above rated
load & speed limits) at 2x max rated psi for some minimum amount of time.

I've also noticed tires with much higher max psi ratings than before--years
ago, they were mostly 32psi max, then some 36psi, and now the 44psi max
rating on my 215/60-15s--could be fuel-economy related, but I'm sure there's
more.

my $.02
Linus Toy
LToy@aol.com