Tires: Nissan Pickup Tire Inflation, Tire Pressure


Question
QUESTION: Barry,

I have a 1994 Nissan Pickup.  The placard on the door states GAWR FR 2200, 26 PSI and GAWR RR 2544, 35 PSI.  Am I understanding this correctly to state that the front tires should have 26 PSI and the rear tires 35 PSI?  It seems like a big difference in pressure.  Thanks in advance.  Chris

ANSWER: Chris,

Please check the placard again.  My book says the all the versions of Nissan Pickups have the same pressure front to rear, but they do list tire size differences, and therefore different pressures, and 26 psi and 35 psi are both listed.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply Barry  The placard reads exactly as follows line by line:

"GVWR - 4400
GAWR FR 2202
with P195/75R14 - TIRES
14X6  - RIMS
At 26 PSI COLD SINGLE
GAWR RR - 2544
WIth P195/75R14 - TIRES
14X6  - RIMS
At 35 PSI COLD SINGLE"

The tire size is the same.  I also looked just now in the glove compartment and it reads there:
Front:  Half Load - 26, Max Load - 26
Rear:   Half Load - 26, MAX Load - 35
This with the same P195/75R14 tires.

So it looks like the front is always 26 PSi and the rear tires 35 when the truck is fully loaded.  This make sense to you?  I currently have P215/70R14 on the vehicle.

Thanks for taking the time to answer this.



ANSWER: Chris,

Thanks for the update.  I find it strange that my book is wrong on this, but it isn't the first time.  I'll have to remember that!

I can understand the increased pressure in the rear - more load to carry.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Barry,

You think based on this info and the tires I have on the truck I could just keep the rear tires at 30 PSI so i don't worry about putting air in and taking it out depending on load?  Just maintain the front tires at 26 PSI?  Thanks again.  The placard seems kind of complicated to me.

Answer
Chris,

If I'm giving out advice, I alwas say use the placard pressure and maybe 3 to 5 psi more.  This is based on the idea that folks need simple, easy to remember answers.

However, our conversation leads me to believe that you can handle more than simplicity - so I'll say I like your plan with the provision that when you load the truck up, your boost the pressure.