96 850 GLT Tire Pressure info?

[JRL]

Geez JRL, sound slike your ready for your bottle and a nap.

Both min and my wife's Michelins have a max 35 psi so I won't go over it. and lets face it, these are family sedans or wagons with already fairly poor performance so what is 3 psi going to really do? Exactly, nothing.

That's really not true. Volvos rear suspension is very sensitive and 3 lbs of air can make quite a difference in RIDE QUALITY.
It won't change the handling very much but the difference from say 31 lbs and 34 bls is amazing in ride quality and smoothness.
Generall I run the lowest air pressure that gives me a nice ride and decent handling.
If I'm in the mood for higher performance I can always add some air.
Another thing I wouold like to mention regarding gauges, the above comment is correct, most gauges are different but it doesn;t matter AS LONG AS YOU USE THE SAME GAUGE.
Finf the pressure YOU like, as long as you're using the same gauge you will know if you're loosing air or if you want to add air etc.
Apples to apples.
As a rule they're usually not more than 3 to 4 lbs off from one extreme to the other

[Tsquared]

That's really not true. Volvos rear suspension is very sensitive and 3 lbs of air can make quite a difference in RIDE QUALITY.
It won't change the handling very much but the difference from say 31 lbs and 34 bls is amazing in ride quality and smoothness.
Generall I run the lowest air pressure that gives me a nice ride and decent handling.
If I'm in the mood for higher performance I can always add some air.
Another thing I wouold like to mention regarding gauges, the above comment is correct, most gauges are different but it doesn;t matter AS LONG AS YOU USE THE SAME GAUGE.
Finf the pressure YOU like, as long as you're using the same gauge you will know if you're loosing air or if you want to add air etc.
Apples to apples.
As a rule they're usually not more than 3 to 4 lbs off from one extreme to the other

JRL I have to agree and disagree with you for the reason you stated above: Generally I run the lowest air pressure that gives me a nice ride and decent handling. The exception that I have is that I will follow a tire manufacturers recommendations before the manufacturers (point in case: the Ford Explorer with Firestone tires). I will also use the highest pressure to give the best ride for that set of tires as long as it does not affect ride quality. This is to get the most life out of the tire and for better fuel millage. The tire manufacturer will build replacement tires to exceed the auto manufacturers specifications. One of the reason tires on a new car are crap they specification is usually met not exceeded.

[JRL]

We can agree to disagree.
I've been driving for 45 years and I do know a thing or two
I've been driving and selling these (Volvos) for 12 years now and at about 32 lbs (plus or minus a lb. or 2), I generally get about 40K miles out of a set of touring tires with no wear problems.
The only time I raise them is when I go on a trip and the wagon is heavliy loaded, then I put the rears at about 36 or so.
(This discussion is for standard Volvos, R's and T5's are not in this equation, nor are modified cars or wagons with, say 17's, aftermarket shocks and springs)

[JRL]

I forgot to mention something so you can chew on this for a while..
ADDING ONE POUND of air equates to about 20 extra lbs of spring rate so every lb. you add it's like having 20 lbs added to the spring rates, so if you run, say 36 lbs rather than 31 lbs of air, it's like having a 100 lb harder/stiffer rear spring!
I put a spring rubber in my 06 R's rear spring and was told that that little rubber added about 25 lbs of stiffness to my rear springs. I can certainly feel it and so can you with the air pressures when you add air to a tire.
That's the equation, do with it as you wish. I'm tired of trying to explain tire pressures to you.
I raced for 15 years and I really do know a little bit about all this so have a good day

JRL

[turbotim2]

Thanks, I will have a good day.