High Pressure

Tue., Dec. 22, 2015

Sharon Peters CTW Features

Question: I’ve recently had both my vehicles’ tires serviced, one at a tire center and one at an auto service center. Both filled my tires to 35 psi. The manufacturer recommended tire pressure for my Honda CRV is 26 psi; for my Mazda MX-5 it’s 29 psi. I live in the Northwest and buy tires to perform well on wet roads. I’m afraid the higher pressure might negatively affect the tires’ performance. Which pressure should I use? Should I be concerned? Answer: Use the pressure recommended by the car manufacturer (it’s in the manual and on the plate inside the door). Always. No matter where you live. Tire manufacturers don’t create a specific tire for every make and model. Tires fit a variety of vehicles and any tire can accommodate a range of pressure. The number on the side of the tire (which is probably what your not-very-well-informed-tire techs used) is the highest psi it can accommodate. The car manufacturer conducts tire tests for each model based on performance, handling, fuel efficiency and other factors and establishes the best psi for that vehicle. So no matter what kind of tire you buy, do what the car manufacturer recommends. Reader comment: You’ve written about making sure you’ve considered just about everything before buying a particular car. For example, drive on the interstate to make sure it has the pick-up you want, check it out at night to make sure the dashboard lights don’t make you crazy, etc. We just bought an SUV and thought we did everything. We loved the vehicle for the first week. Then on my first shopping trip I realized the back cargo door is configured in a way that short little me can’t reach to close it once it’s open. Please remind your readers again to do every thing they ordinarily do in life to make sure a car fits their needs! What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.