Tires: Tire pressure, tire placard, snow traction

Question
Hello,
I recently replaced my tires.
I replaced them with a tire with the same speed rating as
suggested.
Although I noticed that the newer ones have one less side
wall ply. and the tire does rest slightly lower at the same
tire pressure. would it be ok to raise the tire pressure? if
so by how much?

Answer
Hugh,

On every vehicle sold in the US, there is a sticker – commonly called the tire placard - that lists the original tire size and the proper pressure for that size.  The placard is usually located on a doorpost or in the glove box – but sometimes it is located in the trunk or on the fuel filler door.

Personally, I like a car that handles crisply. So I use 3 to 5 psi above the placard pressure.  I also get better fuel economy, better wet traction, better snow traction, better tire durability, better tire wear, but I do have a degradation in ride harshness (but I am willing to put up with it.)