Poor Handling
Senior Member
Joined: 10-02-2005
Posts: 1,245
From: VA
Originally Posted by courthousedeb
Shouldn't the tire pressures take into consideration the geographic location of the vehicle? I would think that things such as climate, altitude, general road conditions and driving habits mighy necessitate some variation from a set standard PSI.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-19-2006
Posts: 5,065
From: Arvada CO
Thanks Joe...I'll be sure to check that out. Worrying about all this is so new to me, as I used to just let Henry handle all this stuff. But, now that I have a car I truly enjoy...I'm like #5 in the movie Short Circuit...I need input. 
Senior Member
Joined: 05-26-2006
Posts: 521
From: Providence, RI
Originally Posted by JoeR
teech, the factory sticker for the 17's calls for 35 psi, F&R.
The Kuhmo ASX is a great tire for the bucks, great traction dry or wet, but not rated well for snow (look on Tire Rack for tests and feedback). I've got the same tire in an 18" and love 'em.
The best bet for those in snow areas is a narrower "winter only" tire on a spare set of wheels. Those that live in those areas can attest to that.
The Kuhmo ASX is a great tire for the bucks, great traction dry or wet, but not rated well for snow (look on Tire Rack for tests and feedback). I've got the same tire in an 18" and love 'em.
The best bet for those in snow areas is a narrower "winter only" tire on a spare set of wheels. Those that live in those areas can attest to that.
Thanks for the info...I'll give these a shot this winter and if it gets out of hand, I'll look into switching up.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-01-2006
Posts: 2,507
From: New London, CT USA
In the HHR I like to run the pressure the same back to front. They were at 25PSI from the dealer. I'm moving them all to 35 to see/feel what the difference will be. I like the ride and do not want it to ride like my friend's Golf with Bilsteines and Recaro racing seats 
His car can turn on a dime, but the extra maintenance of welding in plates for the shock towers and dealing with all the other things such a harsh ride brings to a vehicle, gives me an example of where NOT to go
Now on the Corvair, I keep around 20 PSI in the front, sometimes 25, and 35 PSI rear. No weight in the front other than the trunk and 50 pounds plus of tools one has to carry when driving an old car. Radials were the best improvement to handling that I ever did to a Corvair. Then a rear lower handling bracket, Mistu disc brakes to the front, quick steering arms, nylon bushings here and there ( Not too many because of the harshness factor since nylon has little give and transfers the road to the frame ). Still have neoprene/rubber bushings too. Stiffer springs and shocks all around and it still gives a decent family ride.
I love controled oversteer. It's a blast going up an entrance ramp sideways
Cars are balancing acts between ride and handling.
His car can turn on a dime, but the extra maintenance of welding in plates for the shock towers and dealing with all the other things such a harsh ride brings to a vehicle, gives me an example of where NOT to go Now on the Corvair, I keep around 20 PSI in the front, sometimes 25, and 35 PSI rear. No weight in the front other than the trunk and 50 pounds plus of tools one has to carry when driving an old car. Radials were the best improvement to handling that I ever did to a Corvair. Then a rear lower handling bracket, Mistu disc brakes to the front, quick steering arms, nylon bushings here and there ( Not too many because of the harshness factor since nylon has little give and transfers the road to the frame ). Still have neoprene/rubber bushings too. Stiffer springs and shocks all around and it still gives a decent family ride.
I love controled oversteer. It's a blast going up an entrance ramp sideways
Cars are balancing acts between ride and handling.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-14-2005
Posts: 5,359
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by JoeR
teech, the factory sticker for the 17's calls for 35 psi, F&R.
Try dropping it to 26 or 28 - and watch the ride improve considerably!
The car only weighs 3200lbs. It doesn't need that much air for proper inflation.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-23-2006
Posts: 1,720
From: So Cal
On my recent 3700 mile jaunt across the US on I-40 I did have issues in the rain. The first time I was doing about 75 near Flagstaff and the steering wheel just went loose in my hands. I slowed to 60 and the steering came back. I slowed for the remainder of the rain storm and it seemed ok.
When I got to my destination I checked out the tires and made them all 32psi, I think the rears were at 30psi. While inspecting the tires I noticed that I could see the wear bars already becoming visible within the tread. The tires had approx 12000 miles on them. They were the stock 17" 50 series tires. My thoughts were if you lived in a rainy environment you should get some better tires for the rain.
On my return trip I hit more rain in New Mexico and it hydroplaned much worse and I was almost run over by a semi as I slowed down. I was still hydroplaning at 50mph. I was wide awake after this wild ride. I think it was part the tires and part the road surface. The tires seem like pontoons on the front of the HHR in the rain. If I lived in a rainy area I would get some good quality rain tires. Luckily it never rains in California!
When I got to my destination I checked out the tires and made them all 32psi, I think the rears were at 30psi. While inspecting the tires I noticed that I could see the wear bars already becoming visible within the tread. The tires had approx 12000 miles on them. They were the stock 17" 50 series tires. My thoughts were if you lived in a rainy environment you should get some better tires for the rain.
On my return trip I hit more rain in New Mexico and it hydroplaned much worse and I was almost run over by a semi as I slowed down. I was still hydroplaning at 50mph. I was wide awake after this wild ride. I think it was part the tires and part the road surface. The tires seem like pontoons on the front of the HHR in the rain. If I lived in a rainy area I would get some good quality rain tires. Luckily it never rains in California!
Senior Member
Joined: 10-02-2005
Posts: 1,245
From: VA
Originally Posted by SoCalHHR
And that is a great pressure; if you want to rattle your teeth out!
Try dropping it to 26 or 28 - and watch the ride improve considerably!
The car only weighs 3200lbs. It doesn't need that much air for proper inflation.
Try dropping it to 26 or 28 - and watch the ride improve considerably!
The car only weighs 3200lbs. It doesn't need that much air for proper inflation.
Based on what??? Document your "opinion", please. If I wanted a super smooth ride I would have looked at a Buick or something like that. Mine rides and handles great... actually running 40 PSI F / 35 rear.
Anyone should consider the factory recommendation the minimum. Maybe bump it up for higher speeds or loads.
Hey, Mike.... Maybe you should go to Tire Rack (They are "experts") and read the tire tech info there... You might actually learn something for a change!!
Senior Member
Joined: 08-15-2006
Posts: 223
From: NC
To low air presure caused the firestone ford problems. Who told them to run so low air presure, FORD on the sticker on the drivers door. Always follow tire manufacturer recomendations. They know more about tires than the auto manufacturers.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-03-2006
Posts: 882
From: Newfoundland, Canada
Originally Posted by tomdent1
To low air presure caused the firestone ford problems. Who told them to run so low air presure, FORD on the sticker on the drivers door. Always follow tire manufacturer recomendations. They know more about tires than the auto manufacturers.
Recommended tire pressure
The maximum tire pressure marked on the tire sidewall refers to the pressure required to carry the maximum load of the tire, and is generally not the same as the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure for your vehicle. To find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle’s tires, refer to the information label, which is usually located on the edge of the driver’s door, or the door post or other conspicuous location. If you can’t find the information label, check your owner’s manual.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 02-10-2006
Posts: 110
From: Florida
Originally Posted by TkHHR
On my recent 3700 mile jaunt across the US on I-40 I did have issues in the rain. The first time I was doing about 75 near Flagstaff and the steering wheel just went loose in my hands. I slowed to 60 and the steering came back. I slowed for the remainder of the rain storm and it seemed ok.
When I got to my destination I checked out the tires and made them all 32psi, I think the rears were at 30psi. While inspecting the tires I noticed that I could see the wear bars already becoming visible within the tread. The tires had approx 12000 miles on them. They were the stock 17" 50 series tires. My thoughts were if you lived in a rainy environment you should get some better tires for the rain.
On my return trip I hit more rain in New Mexico and it hydroplaned much worse and I was almost run over by a semi as I slowed down. I was still hydroplaning at 50mph. I was wide awake after this wild ride. I think it was part the tires and part the road surface. The tires seem like pontoons on the front of the HHR in the rain. If I lived in a rainy area I would get some good quality rain tires. Luckily it never rains in California!
When I got to my destination I checked out the tires and made them all 32psi, I think the rears were at 30psi. While inspecting the tires I noticed that I could see the wear bars already becoming visible within the tread. The tires had approx 12000 miles on them. They were the stock 17" 50 series tires. My thoughts were if you lived in a rainy environment you should get some better tires for the rain.
On my return trip I hit more rain in New Mexico and it hydroplaned much worse and I was almost run over by a semi as I slowed down. I was still hydroplaning at 50mph. I was wide awake after this wild ride. I think it was part the tires and part the road surface. The tires seem like pontoons on the front of the HHR in the rain. If I lived in a rainy area I would get some good quality rain tires. Luckily it never rains in California!