14" help

[Scottlax]

well this question isn't just for 14"ers, but that's what i got. so anyways, i am trying to find my cars "limitations" in this new parking lot. and it was rainy, and has been all day, and i am taking these corners pretty hard, and normally when it would be dry my tires would be squilling, but since it was wet they were making these "chunka, chunka" noices. how bad is that? is it just the tire rolling over? that's what i heard, so should i increase the psi a little, i have it at the recomended 32psi now (i am oretty sure it's 32), and if i increase psi how much will it ware away the tread?

i am 16 and don't have that much dough for new tires quite yet, cause i'll get new wheels when i get new tires.

thanks for the help. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[phatford]

Wish I could help out, I do belive however that if you do raise the pressure up a little it will help out very little. Just remember not to over exceed the max tire inflation on the side of the tire. It will wear pre-maturally over time, espically if you drive a lot of miles. The noises you hear are the side walls folding over, I would be carefull playing around on those tires, because if you play to hard you may blow the bead of the tire off the rim. I am running Toyo Prox. FZ4 215-40-ZR17 on my girlfriends Sedan Focus and Pirelli 215-35-ZR19 on my Sedan Focus. Hers has Ground Contol coilover suspension and mine on the other hand has Air-Ride. If you want the car to hanle awsome,I would suggest coilovers all the way with either a light weigh 16" wheel and tire combo or a set of 17" wheels with the Toyo Tires. Hers handles better than any lowered Honda ive Riden in. Mine is just for show. Hope this helps. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[CTB]

Scottlax,
Yeah, that's just the sidewalls rolling. The wet causes lower friction, and thus you can't get quite the same high-pitched squeal as in the dry. Upping the pressure 3psi or so might make a difference, and it won't hurt you much (if at all) on the dry. I ran my street tires 4psi too high on the street on my previous autocrosser, and I was fine.

[2001 ZTS]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by phatford:
Just remember not to over exceed the max tire inflation on the side of the tire. <hr></blockquote>

True and not true at the same time. Definately do not exceed the recommended pressure on the side wall! That is the safe max for the tire itself.

The maximum for your tires in combination with your Focus may be significantly less. The exact same tires on different cars may have different recommended maximums.

I don't know what the recommended max is for the 14" combo, its on your door jam, but you would be OK going up 1 or 2 PSI quite safely. The result would be light loss in comfort, a bit of a firmer ride, may improve milage slightly but watch for centre line wear.

[RKZX2]

i put those Toyo FZ4's 205/50/16 on my car. i love them.

[madmax1]

Raising the tire pressure on a tall sidewall tire (like his 14's) will make a noticable difference. I would say run about 35 front and 1-2 less in the rear. Keep an eye out for uneven treadwear though.