Tires overinflated

[astrix]

I got new tires installed at a garage (mounted and balanced). A few hours later I checked the tire pressure myself out of curiosity – it was over 40 psi (2.8 bar), while the recommendation for my car is 33 psi. For any normal car, I think 40 psi is way too much, agree? Is this some customary thing to do for new tires to help break them in?

I tried to let some air out, but the air released has a really strong chemical odor to it (smells like strong glue). It was difficult to breathe while letting air out of one of the tires so I thought maybe I should let the glue (or whatever it is) dry out first? Does anyone know what type of glue they use to attach the tire onto the rim and if it is harmful to breathe in? Should I just keep driving as it is and deflate the tires later (next week)?

Edited by astrix on Thursday 8th May 22:08

[Blib]

Hello, welcome to PH. The glue shouldn't be harmful. If it was, we'd have an awful lot of dead tyre fitters floating about.

You will be scolded about your colonial spelling presently.

[MG0o]

2/10

tyre pressure increases as they get warm from driving, tyre pressure is always rated when the tyre is cold

[Leptons]

Welcome.

And goodbye, for you are surely not long for this world having breathed in the highly toxic gas they call Air.

[astrix]

MG0o said:

2/10

tyre pressure increases as they get warm from driving, tyre pressure is always rated when the tyre is cold

That's why I measured it after the car had been standing for a few hours.

[Martin4x4]

1) It's tyres not tires.
2) Over inflation is bad it makes the tyre tread convex with increased wear in the middle of the tread and lower grip. However question how accurate was the pressure gauge you used. I would trust the tyre fitter air line above than those found at filling stations or consumer device.
3) Sealant is increasingly common to seal the bead. The solvent from the sealant would remain confined in the tyre until you released it via the valve.
4) Many tyres fitters also use pure nitrogen for tyre inflation rather than air, no oxygen would be rather like breathing laughing gas.

Edited by Martin4x4 on Saturday 10th May 08:09

[astrix]

Thanks for replies

I don't really understand all the hate towards my spelling. I double checked and "tires" is the correct form in the US. I apologize for the nuisance my spelling might have caused among the people in the UK

[anonymous-user]

MG0o said:

2/10

tyre pressure increases as they get warm from driving, tyre pressure is always rated when the tyre is cold

I have never noticed a difference in the 'real' world.

Edited by The Spruce goose on Thursday 8th May 22:41

[sebhaque]

Hello, welcome to PH.

Your spelling is excused since you're from over the pond which state are you from?

Unless you're driving a minivan or a sports car with big wheels, 40psi is rather high - especially when the recommended pressure is 33psi. Out of interest, what car is this? Foreign metal is always interesting on a UK-based forum. As are your funky reflectors!

In my experience, a lot of tyre shops just bang in whatever pressure they feel like and send you on your way, unless they're a bit petrolhead-y (read: gearhead-y). You didn't go to Autozone, did you?

My advice would be to leave the car overnight and correct your tyre pressures when you get the time to tomorrow - before, during or after work. 40psi won't kill you unless you're taking Busch's #51 to work, but it's definitely worth sorting sooner rather than later.

Hope you enjoy your stay here.

[Dog Star]

The Spruce goose said:

I have never noticed a different in the 'real' world.

Me neither, and I'm very particular about such things.

And Martin - nitrogen != laughing gas! Hang you head in shame.

If it did you'd be walking round work all day laughing your head off. Come to think of it I need a word with you about Maven.

[astrix]

Martin4x4 said:

3) Sealant is increasingly common to seal the bead the solvent would remain confined in the tyre until you released it via the valve.

Could you elaborate on this? How can the sealant or solvent leak out via the valve assuming that they are first in liquid form and probably adhere rather quickly?

Edited by astrix on Thursday 8th May 22:41

[johnnnnnnyy]

Martin4x4 said:

1) It's tyres not tires.
2) Over inflation is bad it makes the tyre convex with increased wear in the middle of the tread. However question how accurate was the gauge you used. I would trust the tyre fitter air line more than those at a filling stations or consumer device.
3) Sealant is increasingly common to seal the bead the solvent would remain confined in the tyre until you released it via the valve.
4) Many tyres places also use pure nitrogen for tyre inflation rather than air, no oxygen so rather like breathing laughing gas.

Thats a bit harsh, the English way of spelling is 'Tyres' American way is 'Tires'
Welcome OP, I hope some of the comments won't put you off.

Tyre pressures all depend on the type of vehicle and the weight of the vehicle. For example I also have a van and when fully laden they recommend 45 Psi, I know some Range Rovers are similar to this too, as they are heavy cars.
I'd stick to what the manufacture recommends, and don't worry about the smell of the air at all

[Martin4x4]

astrix said:

Could you elaborate on this? How can the sealant leak out via the valve?

The sealant is essentially a glue, the sealant sets by releasing the solvent into the 'air'. In this case the solvent release on the inside is constrained within the tyre, until you let some air our including some solvent.

[astrix]

Martin4x4 said:

The sealant is essentially a glue, the sealant sets by releasing the solvent into the 'air'. In this case the solvent release on the inside is constrained within the tyre, until you let some air our including some solvent.

Ah yes, I got it now. But it is completely ok to let out the solvent after a few hours, right? I mean the sealant has done its job and the solvent is just a by-product not playing any part in the functioning of the tire, correct?

Edited by astrix on Thursday 8th May 22:58

[tbc]

I had mine set at 35psi and the ride felt really firm.

Changed them down to 30 psi and it was perfect.

[AJB]

astrix said:

Ah yes, I got it now. But it is completely ok to let out the solvent after a few hours, right? I mean the sealant has done its job and the solvent is just a by-product not playing any part in the functioning of the tire, correct?

Edited by astrix on Thursday 8th May 22:58

Yes, fine to let air out whenever. And, in my experience, new tyres are normally set to the wrong pressure even if I've explicitly said exactly what pressure I want.

Sealant is a new one on me though. I know they brush on lubricant (normally white), but I don't think I've ever had a solvent based sealant used.

Having said that, the air that comes out of tyres does smell pretty bad anyway, with just the smells it's picked up from the inside of the tyre.

[BritishRacinGrin]

I stand to be corrected but as far as I am aware the usage of sealants and adhesives is not commonplace in tyre fitting. If it is, I've been doing it wrong for years. What you are smelling is probably just new tyre / stale air / bead lubricant. It almost certainly won't be harmful in any way.
After the car has stood in the shade for a few hours, simply reduce the tyre pressures to your desired figure using a tyre pressure gauge.

[Debaser]

Martin4x4 said:

4) Many tyres places also use pure nitrogen for tyre inflation rather than air, no oxygen so rather like breathing laughing gas.

Laughing gas?

OP, set your tyres to the correct pressures. You'll be fine doing this right away.

[BritishRacinGrin]

Debaser said:

Laughing gas?

Presumably thinking of Nitrous Oxide. Would be fun if Nitrogen was laughing gas, seeing as we're breathing 79% Nitrogen at all times...

[mikial]

astrix said:

Thanks for replies

I don't really understand all the hate towards my spelling. I double checked and "tires" is the correct form in the US. I apologize for the nuisance my spelling might have caused among the people in the UK

Pay no attention to the pendants and morons who will pick your bones with their pointy beaks if you make the smallest error , they are small men with an inbred sense of superiority .

Check your tires again when they are cold and deflate as necessary the air inside is harmless .