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I usually split the difference between the two. I haven't had uneven wear by that formula so far (4 cars of various configurations).
Smile, it's sunny out (at least in Mass.)
Usually tire manufacturers do not recommend tire pressures since the same tires are used on a wide variety of vehicles. The marking on the sidewall simply indicates maximum cold tire pressure (It's not a recommendation) and when cold, the pressure in the tire should not exceed that. Most people follow what the vehicle manufacturer recommends.
For more information about tires, check out the Tires, tires, tires topic in the Aftemarket & Accessories message board.
Good luck!
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Steve
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Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Hope this helps.
Kevin
Regarding tire pressure... I found mine to be set at 39 psi cold when i picked it up. The sticker in the door jam says 29psi, BUT it also says the rating is for the smaller tires (215's I think). There is NO mention of the recommended pressure for the 30" GS-A's on ours. I called two dealerships and they both said they didn't have a recommendation but not to exceed the tire sidewall rating (35psi). After having an Exploder with exploding Firestones, I'm pretty sensitive to the issue. The Ford shipped with 26psi on the door sticker, but I found 29 in town and 32 on long trips to be better for me. The real test is to see if the tire is making a flat footprint on the pavement. The best way I have heard to check this is to take a piece of chalk, mark a strip across the entire length of the tread and drive 1 or 2 revolutions of the tire. Check the chalk mark to see how it looks. If it's gone in the middle but still visible on the edges, the pressure is too high. If you can see the chalk in the center of the tread, but not on the sides, too low. For us, having the 30" tires, 29-30 seems juuuust right. Of course, this applies only to driving on the road, if you're going off road, airing down to 15psi will allow you to handle obstacles much better. Just be sure to air up before driving any distance off the trail. oasn, Airing down on soft sand is a must. I have seen 2 wheel drive pickups running bald tires and about 10psi pull out fully aired up 4wd newbies. This was at Cape Hatteras, NC, where the sand is soft and deep.
Be sure to check tire pressure when the tires are completely cold (first thing in the AM). I would love to see what others have found to be the "optimal" pressure.
As with all my posts, just my opinion and observations, ymmv.
-twylie
other comments:
I have a friend who has/had a lot of high performance cars (Mustangs, Shelbys, Trans Ams, ...). He usually keeps pressures a little on the low side for more "hookup", or traction.
I agree with the person who ups pressure a little on long trips. It gives better gas mileage and cooler running (you get a feel for this).
Also, another good way to check footprint is to spray some water in the driveway and run through it and see what kind of tracks are left.
Like I said, splitting the difference worked pretty well for 2 American RWD cars and 2 Japanese FWD cars. Honda actually has different pressures front to rear, but the formula still applies, and works.
For off road, do whatever you want, but I guess most people air down (a lot!?). Not sure, good luck.
Keep us posted on your new toy
Scomo,,,thanx for your input on the Kiddies & jeeps...That has been a concern of mine..
Take care jeepers..
see ya in chat tomorrow night
Snut
Terry
Would love to hear all the details about that Jeep. Maybe you could post in Meet the Members and give us a little info about yourself and about that Jeep????
Aren't Jeeps the coolest things in the whole world? (Oops! Thelma Jane would get mad if I referred to her as a "thing.")
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
tsjay - i supposedly had a done deal with the first dealer and i found out they were trying to make too much off of my sale in the back end of the deal thats why i couldnt get a loan. so pretty much they screwed me and this other place, wow they were excellant. i was driving my new beautiful machine within 24 hours of walking in the door. i ended up getting it for 4000 less than what they were asking for it plus the 500 rebate and for some reason they gave me another 500 so pretty much i saved like 5000.
it s going to be hard to go to work and know that my new baby is just sitting there dying for me to drive it. by the way anyone got a good name for it? its a 4.0 6 cylinder solar yellow.i'll be making a small web page in the near future dedicated to my love.(the jeep)
If I end up doing more off roading in the future I will definately get some type of lockers (front & rear).
Congratulations on the solar yellow Jeep!
How about "Sunshine" for a name? "Sunny" for short? (Since he is solar yellow) Or, if your Jeep is a girl Jeep, how about "Sunflower?" Or, "Daisy?"
Wanna post in Meet the Members? Give us some info on yourself and all the goodies on your Jeep?
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
P.S. Join us in our weekly chat tomorrow night. It's at 8:00 PM CDST.
Congratulations Dave... I am very happy you've finally got your new Baby, and some awesome weather to enjoy her with.
Give the Mrs. Nut a big wet birthday kiss for me Sahara.
And on tire pressure (dancing a very thin line here again)... I can tell you that one major vehicle manufacturer engineers its power train, gear ratios, everything that determines effective contact with the ground, based on certain size/density tires inflated to the specific PSI as noted on the SPID label inside the drivers door jam. A'hem... no names, of course (and Trey... don't you tell!). Now this manufacturer, who shall remain nameless, is not Chrysler.... nor Ford... but I would expect they all follow suit on this like they do a myriad of other issues. Also, if you choose to upsize your tires, obviously, the pressure on the SPID would only apply to the tires the vehicle was intended to be driven on. (By a milk toast engineer... nothing like you manly Jeep types!) )
Also, to confirm, Ford did an excellent job deflecting the blame to Firestone. The problem with the tread separation is representative of some areas of opportunity in the tire manufacturing process... but they were excaserbated by Ford recommending a lower tire pressure than the tires suggested so that Explorer passengers would have a softer ride. The lower pressure caused unusual wear at the outside edge of the tread teeth. This, in some cases, ultimately caused the "teeth" part of the tread to peel away like the skin of an orange, leaving a bare smooth tire surface. (Yes, the tread can peel off and the tire still retain air pressure... for a bit.). Now if the driver failed to notice the increasing vibrations and noise due to tread slapping the inside of the wheel well, the tire would have a catastrophic failure. Translation = Kerplooey!
Final note: Proper tire maintenance includes rotating front to back, left to right, every 7K - or for synthetic oil users like me, I do it with every oil change (5K). (If you have a full size spare, DO NOT cycle this one in. Full size spares are intended to look pretty. Should you eat a nail, as I did, then you only have to buy one tire, so that my newer ones keep each other company in the back, or the front, depending on the rotation, and my spare is a respectably used.) Also, aside from giving them a quick look as you approach your Jeep for the day's driving adventure (a visual is how I noticed the nail... I did not have a kerplooey driving thank God), monthly you should check your pressure when you check your fluid levels. Not that I know one end of a tire pressure gauge from the other (Daddy does this for me), but I am told a tire, even in good condition, can passively loose up to a half PSI per month.
Enjoy your Chat tomorrow everyone! )
Tara
(Psst... I haven't posted in a bit, so that wasn't too long, was it Terry?)
http://members.aol.com/tonkadave/jeep1
http://members.aol.com/tonkadave/jeep2
OK, let me try this again...(sorry it's early). I want to get the Dana 44 when I order my TJ (soon!) and accouding to Edmunds it comes with Trak-Lok but my dealer says that even with the Dana 44 Trak-lok is an option and not included or required. What have you all experienced with this...?
Thanks,
Scomo
I've been reading off & on for a while, but haven't really had anything to post before. But I have come up with some questions.
First, has anyone put in after-market cruise? (I know, cruise in a Jeep, but I'm a habitual speeder & it's a necessity for me!) I was told by 2 dealers in my area that I could not get factory anymore for my Jeep (1997 Sport), but that there were some good/OK a-m kits available...any comments or suggestions?
Second, I live in WI; the weather is unpredictable to say the least & I love having the top down, is there a cover or something (other than bungie-ing a tarp over) to cover a jeep while keeping top down?
Third, I've noticed that I get an odor of antifreeze sometimes, especially when it's cold. I was told it's normal as the radiator is made of both metal & plastic & they expand/shrink at different temp & rates (makes sense). But does anyone else have this & is there anything I can do? I HATE that smell!
& I guess fourth (don't want to get blasted for being too long, right Tara!) Anyone know of good trails in WI area? Now the weather's finally (mostly) nice, I'm DYING to get off-road, so far all I've gotten is gravel roads near city!
Thanks in advance for the help & info!
JeepHead
This applies to when you pick up a new vehicle, test drive a vehicle, or just walk out to your car in the morning.
Kick all 4, and kick them hard!!!
This will tell you a lot about the tires, your suspension, and yourself!!!
Zen for a day.
You don't automatically get TracLoc with the Dana 44. My Thelma Jane has the Dana 44 without TracLoc.
I wish she DID have the TracLoc, though. I didn't know what a good option it was when I ordered her, or I would have definitely ordered it.
If you are already getting the Dana 44, then the TracLoc is only $285 more. Everyone says that it is well worth that much money to have it.
It is supposed to be VERY good for ice and snow.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today
Rear Axle - Dana 44/Sport
Dana 44-3 rear axle, Excludes: [BGK] 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes/Sport, Includes: [DSA] Trac-Lok Differential/Sport And [DME] Axle Ratio - 3.73, Requires: [AAS] 30" Tire & Wheel Group "Canyon" Or [ACF] Tire & Wheel Group "Full Face" Or [ACG] Tire & Wheel Group "Grizzly"
This says that the Dana 44 includes trak-lok... but is it included for the price of the Dana 44 or it's extra? It REQUIRES that you have one of the wheel packages but INCLUDES trak-lok. My dealer was as clueless as was. Any ideas? Is Edmunds incorrect?
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/jeepchat.html
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
http://www.premismedia.com/DamonEwen/website/images/EwenJeep_jpg.jpg
On cruise control... - check www.jparts.com (MOPAR parts at 15% discount, plus no tax unless you are in PA) or call them @ 1 800 969-JEEP (5337) and see if they can get factory cruise for a '97. It should be available thorugh a dealer, but expect to pay $200 for the parts plus install if you have a dealer do it. Cruise control from jcWhitney or the like will run less than $100, but not look factory. The aftermarket models may also rely on magnets attached to the driveshaft vs. using the brains in the Jeep to monitor speed.
covers when top down - http://www.quadratec.com p/n 11186 $100, or http://www.hottubtable.com used to sell one, but the URL is down right now.
antifreeze smell - I'm speaking in generic "car" terms here, not specifically addressing the Jeep cooling system, but... I'd have this checked out. The cooling system is closed and there should not be any coolant smell unless the overflow bin was in use or leaking. If you are smelling the antifreeze through the air vents, it's likely the heater core is leaking into the blower assembly. If you smell it from somewhere else, it could be anywhere, but be sure to check where you've parked for fluid. If you smell antifreeze in your oil when checking it, you have a cracked block. I'm not trying to alarm you, just going through the troubleshooting process. Be sure to check the coolant level in the overflow bottle and the radiator (ONLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD! Opening a hot radiator will burn you!) and see if the level changes over time. Any change indicates a leak in the system. Not to go off on a rant, but antifreeze, even in small quantities can kill dogs and cats. This problem is compounded in that antifreeze has a sweet taste and animals will drink it if they come across it. If you have any leaks, get them attended to ASAP.
scomo - help us again with what you're getting equipment wise. Depending on which engine, tranny and wheel package you get, the D44 and trak-loc choices and options get confusing. We debated the heck out of this a while back, but I'm sure once the board knows the specifics on everything else, you'll get the accurate answer.
As for the chat tonight, I'm locked in for a client dinner and don't know how long it will run. If I dont' make it, have fun and it looks like you guys will get to break in a new moderator tonight! <grin>!
-twylie
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
It IS confusing in Edmunds. You need to go to a dealer that has someone who knows Jeeps! Even if you don't end up buying there, at least let them package one out for you and give you a print out of the options. You can then take that anywhere and have them make you their best offer on a Jeep optioned out like that. Crap, you can even do it over the phone, once you have that sheet.
A lot of DC dealers sell very few Jeeps and have no one that even knows how to package options. Find one where they sell quite a few Jeeps, and they will have someone who knows what they are doing.
Just my two cents worth.
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
P.S. Join us after while in the chat, and maybe a lot of your questions will be answered.
If you don't off road much, you can go with passenger car tires ("performance" tires). Some no name brands (oxymoron?) can be purchased rather inexpensively, and if you bruise on on the infrequent trail run, just get another.
A few weeks back there was a thread on what to do about bug guts. Someone mentioned they use Meguiar's Quick Detail to get the bug guts and other debris off the front grill. I picked some up today, along with Armor All and a tire guage (all this talk about tire pressure made me curious what mine are since I haven't messed with them since picking it up a month ago). I figured I'd go with Quick Detail instead of Turtle Wax's Bug Remover or whatever it is. The latter sounded a little more heavy duty than what I needed, and the Meguiar's seemed like it would protect and enhance the wax. In reading the directions on the Quick Detail, it says to make sure you're parked somewhere in the shade and that the vehicle is cool. Is this important if I'm just wiping bugs and things off the grill? Most of the time when I notice things on there, it's right after I've been driving and it's hot. Thanks for any input!
yellowman
Amazing day here, low 80's plenty of sunshine!
-twylie
The quicker you get those bug guts off the better (and easier). Go ahead and laugh at me, but I use a wet paper towel and a dry one or two and get the bug guts off whenever I get where I'm going, or at least once a day when I put Thelma in the garage for the night.
That way, I don't have to use any kind of bug remover stuff.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
What's the last thing that goes through a bug's mind when he hits your windshield? (His butt!)
you carry paper towels with you...to wipe off the bugs...dude I think you need counceling..
You just too much...
Ok now I'm confused about this PSI thing..
do you go by whats on the tire...or in the
manual..
anyway the is the 21st century...why do we need tires we should be driving rocket cars by now..
Have a Jeep weekend guys!!
Snut
Terry
Well, measured the pressure using my new tire guage and it looks to be at 39 all around. Seems kinda high, huh? This was measured after driving awhile, though. I'll try it again tonight when they're "cool" then make a decision on airing down.
yellowman
yellowman
If you cut a hole, then you're gonna let some water in under the cover.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
yellowman
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
yellowman
I tried putting a rag over those nuts the first time I took them off, but it didn't help much, if any at all.
It is just so cool to go doorless that I went ahead and took them off, even though it was taking the paint off the nuts. There's always touch up paint!
Now, let me caution you to be sure to come straight up with the doors when you lift them off the hinges! Those threads are exposed when you take the nuts off, and those babies can scratch your paint on the fenders as the door comes up. I found out the hard way, unfortunately. I didn't scratch Thelma too badly, but it still made me sick that I scratched her at all. Some touch up paint fixed the spot pretty well.
The doors are much heavier than you would think they would be, so be prepared for that. Just go very slowly with the whole process. Be careful about what kind of wrench you use too. One slip of the wrench could mean a scratch in your paint.
It takes a 13 mm wrench for the door hinge nuts, and I used a boxed end wrench for that job.
Also, don't forget to take the fuse out for the overhead light. It's number 4 in your fuse panel, which is located behind the glove box. It is the bottom fuse in the right hand column of fuses. The light will stay on a few seconds after you pull the fuse, cause it works on a delay.
I bought a pair of door bags from Quadratec to store the doors in while they are off the Jeep. It's worth the money to know that they are well protected. I think they were about $100.
Good Luck!
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I gave her a bath today, even though she didn't look a bit dirty. I wanted to see how tough it would be to wash her without getting her wet inside with the top and doors off. It was no problem at all- just had to be careful with the spray.
I hope I can make it another week with no top and no doors. What a blast it is to drive her like that!
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
JeepHead
JeepHead
JeepHead
I think if Thelma Jane had the half doors, I would still take them off. It's sure a great feeling driving around wihout the top and the doors!
Once again, congrats on getting that Jeep!
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
JeepHead