Unintended tire deflation question...

[Ron]

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">After putting 1,600 miles on my GTS in two glorious consecutive days of solo driving, I have a few observations which I'd like to share when I have a bit more time. For now though I have a question:

After a 280 mile segment (between gas stops), averaging 87 "GPS verified" mph, I felt the tires and was surprised to find that while the tread was a tad over ambient temperature (50 degrees), the sidewalls were quite cool, obviously the benefit of a ZR speed rating, a low profile and stiff sidewalls.

My question though is how hard is it, while driving, to "feel" a slowly deflating ZR rated tire before disaster strikes? Older 60 series tires are quite easy as they feel a bit "squirrelly" as they deflate, but I'm curious as to how hard it is to identify low pressure on the Viper, that is without a Smartire system...


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[GTS Dean]

They just get "mushy" and non-responsive.

 

[Ron]

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">I too check before any long distance drive. However, while on my way back to Indy, I ran over the remnants of a previous accident and was concerned that a slow leak could develop while in route.

Looks like Smartire is the only answer...</FONT f>

 

[JonB]

Old Timers here will remember my "CONVOY" stories and Slithering. The Mazda ZOOM-ZOOM-ZOOM is a dupe of our "SLITHER"

When we had 25,34, 42 even 67 cars in convoy, we ALWAYS covered tire pressure at the drivers meetings. There were always 1-2-3 cars with as few as TEN LBS in a rear tire ! A low rear tire is VERY difficult for most backsides to feel in routine street driving... like Dean says: kinda mushy like. (tires, not backsides) Especialy hard to tell w/ 18" versions.... You MUST use a good guage..


[ Or, PartsRack can offer you a nice discount on the new, light-weight SmartTire system with remote readouts in your cockpit! ]

 

[Steve-Indy]

You raise a GREAT point, Ron. I find this type of tire to be "sneaky"...EASY to be down a few pounds on street driven Viper without recognizing the problemevouling over time.(SOLVED by using RIGID chestlist before driving!!). Know of a fellow Viper driver who, upon returning from a Viper test drive at a dealership, mentioned that "car pulled to right"...I happened along a little later and checked the tire pressures (Pilot Sports) and found 25#,25#, 25#, and 10# in right rear....BAD deal with potential for REAL disaster! On board diagnostics might appeal.