Let's Talk Tire Pressure / Tires

[sina27]

Hello,

Got a 96 Tracker 2WD 5 Speed. 
Since it has been raining here in California lately, the tracker has been slipping / sliding on the wet roads, especially when
I'm going downhill when in neutral (a light touch on the brakes easily causes the car to lock brakes and slide).

I'm wondering if this is because my tire pressure is off - The recommended stock tires are supposed to be 195-75-15, and the recommended pressure is supposed
to be 23 psi. 
The tires that are on my car are 215-75-15 (slightly oversized), and the pressure is around 27 psi. Everything else (like suspension) is stock. 

Since my tires are oversized, should I be inflating the tire pressure above the recommended pressure of 23 psi? Or should I keep it at the recommended 23 psi? 

Most previous cars I've owned have usually recommended around 30 psi, why is the recommended pressure lower for the Tracker? 

Would it be better if I went back to the recommended tire size next time I change my tires? Any real benefits when using the 215-75 size? I never take the car off road, and I drive in the city. 

Thanks for the suggestions

[fixkick]

more see this toyo tables, shows what the truth,

https://www.toyotires.com/media/2125/app...170203.pdf

every tire maker has a chart like this for there tires, and the numbers are GOLD there,  when using non stock tires and no 1000 load of bricks in the year, use standard loads.

those weights are per tire and 2dr has 500lbs per tire and are not on these charts,  a very light 2000 lb cars are not normal, suzuki is a box kite. car, and hates high speeds, in gusting winds, yes.
shows 26psi for stock tire, and 1200 lbs.
so suzuki had to call them and tell them the 2000lb car is kite and what to do.  it his for  sure.....
most tables on tires are for heavy cars.
even a Mini Hardtop in Cooper trim - 2,625 pounds (2,930 pounds for the Hardtop 4-Door in Cooper S trim)  is way more heavy or near same for 4door sidekick. (no car stated yet by you )
the sidekick is 5 cars,  the  the JS rag top 2door is 2110lbs  ,3087 is gross , so that is why I said 1000lbs of bricks. (in back or on tongue of hitch)  the 4door auto trans is 2670lbs dry,  your 23 psi hint to me car is JS

the Smart Fortwo - 1,984 pounds is one of the lightest cards today.

[fixkick]

there 3 pressure marked on tires and the door jamb is one.
1: max bead seating pressure (tire store man)
2: max cold load pressure 44psi common, this is when hauling bricks. (varies by tire make and type)
3: the Suzuki recommended pressure (not doing #2) 23psi, it's low due to 2 door is a kite. a kite on wheels. in fact. and why 28MPG can happen this too.(epa max is 27 -5sp)
the owners manual only tells you to read the driver door jam.
but look here,
found this great link

https://tirepressure.com/1996-suzuki-sid...e-pressure

the rumor that 23psi is for anti over is not true, it is for max traction, sliding off cliff is worse. or skidding .
the books also say to run 26psi on ice. (but if you want try all pressures 23 to 26 on ice) no two brands or constructions are no the same, ask a race car mech.
what you want is flat foot print of tire, on the road, and no crowing. LT tires are even worse with stiffer side walls /tread, I had to run even lower pressure not to get slip.
the tire load rating here is 96, and not all tires made are that rating that fit on 15 inch rims. this load rating also sets pressures diffr at diffr loads.

[sina27]

Thanks. 
The tires I am running are Toyo open country A T 2, 215-75-R15
I brought the pressure down to 24 and it seems to run smoother on the road now. The pressure before I brought it down was at 30psi!
Maybe I’ll bring it up to 26psi just to be at a happy medium. 




fixkickthere  3 pressure marked on tires and the door jamb is one.
1: max bead seating pressure (tire store man)
2: max cold load pressure 44psi common, this is when hauling bricks. (varies by tire make and type)
3: the Suzuki recommended pressure (not doing #2) 23psi, it's low  due to 2 door is a  kite. a kite on wheels. in fact. and why 28MPG can happen this too.(epa max is 27 -5sp)
the owners manual only tells you to read the driver door jam.
but look here,
found this great link

https://tirepressure.com/1996-suzuki-sid...e-pressure

the rumor that 23psi is for anti over is not true, it is for max traction, sliding off cliff is worse. or skidding .
the books also say to run 26psi on ice. (but if you want try all pressures 23 to 26 on ice) no two brands or constructions are no the same, ask a race car mech.  
what you want is flat foot print of tire, on the road, and no crowing.  LT tires are even worse with stiffer side walls /tread, I had to run even lower pressure not to get slip.
the tire load rating here is 96,  and not all tires made are that rating that fit on 15 inch rims. this load rating also sets pressures diffr  at  diffr loads.

[fixkick]

Thanks. 
The tires I am running are Toyo open country A T 2, 215-75-R15
I brought the pressure down to 24 and it seems to run smoother on the road now. The pressure before I brought it down was at 30psi!
Maybe I’ll bring it up to 26psi just to be at a happy medium. 




fixkick there  3 pressure marked on tires and the door jamb is one.
1: max bead seating pressure (tire store man)
2: max cold load pressure 44psi common, this is when hauling bricks. (varies by tire make and type, clearly stamped on the side wall of tire)
3: the Suzuki recommended pressure (not doing #2) 23psi, it's low  due to 2 door is a  kite. a kite on wheels. in fact. and why 28MPG can happen this too.(epa max is 27 -5sp)
the owners manual only tells you to read the driver door jam. ( due to cars sold in other countries use different tires)
but look here,
found this great link

https://tirepressure.com/1996-suzuki-sid...e-pressure

the rumor that 23psi is for anti over is not true, it is for max traction, sliding off cliff is worse. or skidding .
the books also say to run 26psi on ice. (but if you want try all pressures 23 to 26 on ice) no two brands or constructions are no the same, ask a race car mech.  
what you want is flat foot print of tire, on the road, and no crowing.  LT tires are even worse with stiffer side walls /tread, I had to run even lower pressure not to get slip.
the tire load rating here is 96,  and not all tires made are that rating that fit on 15 inch rims. this load rating also sets pressures diffr  at  diffr loads.

light car  with large tires, and high pressure will skid, the tires crown over inflated,  like having motorcycle tires there.
driving any car on wet roads or ice, with it crowned is very dangerous.  that is is why all tire makers have tables (load) for each tire they make, and is not trivial this.
google how to test your tries for proper foot prints, then get it to BEST below.  both wrong tires below wear out super fast.

[fixkick]

the vast posts on this topic this car goes like this.?

1: why 23 PSI, as all cars i have ever owned are like 30- 36 PSI why so low.?
answer; your other cars are not 2000lb box kites, unless you have mini cooper. but bet not.

and suzuki nor any car maker will ever publish correct pressures for just 1 car and the 10,000 tires that might land on said car, even 16"wheels, (by hook or crook, or jacked up)?
and impossible task. (so many classes of tires too)

[fixkick]

your car is suzuki JS sidekick.
weight matters,
some folks run these tires, 33x10.50R15/C
and must run way less pressure or they crown super bad. and -17% speedometer errors too low. even down to 20PSI , on some.
the problem with tire tables is most never heard of car with only 500lbs on each tire, so the tables skip this. ( making hard to find tables even more hard to find)
the car is very unique, a minicooper, box car ..... nothing else like it. same as vw beetle 1970, very very light.

[sina27]

Thanks for all the suggestions. 
I contacted Toyo and told them what car I have and that it weighs 2000 pounds. They said for that car, and with the 215-75-15s, that they recommend 26psi.
26 seems to be handling very nicely right now. Might do a chalk test to make sure the tires are evenly wearing down.

[fixkick]

Thanks for all the suggestions. 
I contacted Toyo and told them what car I have and that it weighs 2000 pounds. They said for that car, and with the 215-75-15s, that they recommend 26psi.
26 seems to be handling very nicely right now. Might do a chalk test to make sure the tires are evenly wearing down.

way to go ask koyo,.,. they designed it and know what it needs.
good luck to you and cheers and happy holidays.