Huge tire pressure drop - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

RB43TD · 11-17-2010, 01:50 PM

Exactly one month ago I got my nitrogen filled tires "topped-off" back up to 36psi....or so I thought. Stupid me didn't bother checking them after I left the tire place. Anyway, I've noticed that my car was showing recently that my psi was about 31-32 "cold" (not driven for a little while). My manual tire gauge showed about 1 more psi. After driving for about 15-20 miles or so they get up to about 33-34. Today I got in my car at lunch and looked at the reading in my car and each tire showed 30psi. I really don't know much about tires, so I've got two questions and was wondering if someone might know the answers.

1 - Is it normal for tires to lose 6psi in about a month when there really isn't that much of a difference in temperature? It's lower 40's today and was probably mid 50's when I got them filled up in Oct.

2 - I've read that the recommended psi is based off "cold" tires. If I drive about 20 miles to get my tires topped off to 36, should I tell them to make it 38 or so so that when they're "cold" it'll drop to around 36? I'm just thinking that if I drive that far and they look at my car right when I get there the psi is going to show the inflated number because I've been driving them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

dfairman · 11-17-2010, 01:53 PM

I have the same problem...

multiSS · 11-17-2010, 03:06 PM

Get them to add 6psi. The next morning check the presure before you drive.

toehead93 · 11-17-2010, 03:14 PM

6psi seems like a lot. It takes about 25-30 degress to get my air filled cars to drop 6psi. Also, remember air is like 78% Nitrogen so nitro filled tires are still going to flucuate close to the same as air filled tires. You might see maybe 4psi drop with nitro compared to 5psi drop with air which is a 20% less.

RB43TD · 11-19-2010, 12:46 PM

Went back and went out with him while he looked at it. This is at a Tire Specialty place mind you and I had just pulled up.

Tire guy: What psi are they supposed to be?
Me: 36 cold.

He proceeds to fill one.

Tire Guy: Ok, that one is now showing 36.

I must have looked at him kind of funny because he said "what?"

Me: Well, as I mentioned, I've just driven over 20 miles to get here so they're not cold. If you just made them 36 then it'll probably drop to about 33 when they're cold.
Tire Dude: Oh. So maybe I should fill them to like 38 or 39 or something?

Last time I'm going there.

The Stig · 11-19-2010, 02:28 PM

Glad to see the techs know what they're doing.

11-17-2010, 01:50 PM	#1
RB43TD Me Likey My Camaro Drives: 2010 Victory Red 1LT/RS Camaro Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 489 View My Garage	Huge tire pressure drop Exactly one month ago I got my nitrogen filled tires "topped-off" back up to 36psi....or so I thought. Stupid me didn't bother checking them after I left the tire place. Anyway, I've noticed that my car was showing recently that my psi was about 31-32 "cold" (not driven for a little while). My manual tire gauge showed about 1 more psi. After driving for about 15-20 miles or so they get up to about 33-34. Today I got in my car at lunch and looked at the reading in my car and each tire showed 30psi. I really don't know much about tires, so I've got two questions and was wondering if someone might know the answers. 1 - Is it normal for tires to lose 6psi in about a month when there really isn't that much of a difference in temperature? It's lower 40's today and was probably mid 50's when I got them filled up in Oct. 2 - I've read that the recommended psi is based off "cold" tires. If I drive about 20 miles to get my tires topped off to 36, should I tell them to make it 38 or so so that when they're "cold" it'll drop to around 36? I'm just thinking that if I drive that far and they look at my car right when I get there the psi is going to show the inflated number because I've been driving them. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! __________________ When I was a young boy, I was certain that the world was good or bad....black or white. As time passed I grew up and learned there was only grey.

11-17-2010, 01:53 PM	#2
dfairman KKLR BEE Drives: Rally Yellow 2SS manual Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 132 View My Garage	I have the same problem... __________________ Not speeding... just qualifying

11-17-2010, 03:14 PM	#4
toehead93 Drives: 2014 2SS/1LE Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: wpb fl Posts: 3,136 View My Garage	6psi seems like a lot. It takes about 25-30 degress to get my air filled cars to drop 6psi. Also, remember air is like 78% Nitrogen so nitro filled tires are still going to flucuate close to the same as air filled tires. You might see maybe 4psi drop with nitro compared to 5psi drop with air which is a 20% less. __________________ Used Racing Brake 2 Peice Rotors for sale: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344754 Summit White 2014 2SS 1LE Recaros, NPP exhaust, Nav 2010 2SS A6 - sold.

11-19-2010, 12:46 PM	#5
RB43TD Me Likey My Camaro Drives: 2010 Victory Red 1LT/RS Camaro Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 489 View My Garage	Went back and went out with him while he looked at it. This is at a Tire Specialty place mind you and I had just pulled up. Tire guy: What psi are they supposed to be? Me: 36 cold. He proceeds to fill one. Tire Guy: Ok, that one is now showing 36. I must have looked at him kind of funny because he said "what?" Me: Well, as I mentioned, I've just driven over 20 miles to get here so they're not cold. If you just made them 36 then it'll probably drop to about 33 when they're cold. Tire Dude: Oh. So maybe I should fill them to like 38 or 39 or something? Last time I'm going there. __________________ When I was a young boy, I was certain that the world was good or bad....black or white. As time passed I grew up and learned there was only grey.

11-19-2010, 02:28 PM	#6
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	Glad to see the techs know what they're doing. __________________

11-17-2010, 03:06 PM	#3
multiSS Drives: 69 SS396 chevelle 2010 2ssrs camaro Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta Posts: 71	Get them to add 6psi. The next morning check the presure before you drive.

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