Topic: Tire Pressure
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Can anybody read their door sticker and tell me what the recommended tire pressure is on a late C3 (1980) with P225/70R-15 tires (a stock option). Or just let me know what you have been running with and are happy with.
My door sticker is long since illegible and every resource I find says to check it and gives me no information beyond that.
I have been running 25lbs and my guess is that this is about 5 too low but I don't want to over-inflate them either.
Thanks,
Herb H
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Former Member
Send PM
Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
Read your tire sidewall and see what maximum pressure they're rated at. I tend to keep tires near their max pressure...firmer ride, but better tire wear and better gas mileage.
Factory recommendations are geared more for smoother ride than best wear and handling.
Factory recommendations are geared more for smoother ride than best wear and handling.
I run 225-70R-25 BFG TA's on my Corvette ('74) at 35 psi cold (maximum recommended cold pressure on the tire side wall). I inflate the tires on my vehicles to the maximum recommended cold pressure, regardless of the vehicle or tire. Wear and preformance are better. The ride tends to be a bit more harsh, but that is a small price to pay for the improvement in wear and performance. The door sticker and owner's manual for my Corvette recommend 20 psi all around, which is ridiculous 
. Gunslinger is correct about factory settings being geared toward ride. sundew 2007-10-08 19:29:44
. Gunslinger is correct about factory settings being geared toward ride. There is no substitute for low end torque! 
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Click for larger view
Also, if you do a search on the subject, you'll find several conversations regarding this...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I set mine to 30-32. Firm ride, good wear.
dwright 2007-10-09 02:59:04
Rotate seasonally.
Car manufacturers recommend lower pressure for a softer ride.
If I wanted soft, I'd buy a Caddy.
Hey Joel- does the NCRS check tire pressure when inspecting your Vette?
Save the Wave!
Support the National Corvette Museum
Support the National Corvette Museum
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
[QUOTE=dwright]Hey Joel- does the NCRS check tire pressure when inspecting your Vette?
[/QUOTE]
Hey!!
That's a dig, ain't it?!
Noppers, they don't, but...a severly underinflated tire would be considered a safety hazzard, and may warrant a deduct. Tire pressures are checked before doing the road-test portion of the "Performance Verification"(PV)test, tho.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Boy, 20 psi sure seems low. What was the factory thinking? My door jamb sticker says the same thing as Joel's
, 20 psi front and back.
, 20 psi front and back.
My vote is run your tire close to the max. psi shown on the side of the tire. 
Steve, Lifetime Member #129
74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.
[QUOTE=steves74]Boy, 20 psi sure seems low. What was the factory thinking? My door jamb sticker says the same thing as Joel's, 20 psi front and back.
They were bias ply tires back then and did not require the same pressure as the radials that we all run now. That being said, I run about 32 all around on mine. A little harsher but nothing I can't live with.
, 20 psi front and back.
My vote is run your tire close to the max. psi shown on the side of the tire.
[/QUOTE] They were bias ply tires back then and did not require the same pressure as the radials that we all run now. That being said, I run about 32 all around on mine. A little harsher but nothing I can't live with.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Uh...not!
Radials were installed starting in 1973.
I've been running 20psi in mine since I've had it(10 yrs now)...rides gud, handles gud, wears well, makes lots o noise goin 'round corners(NOT!)...perfect!!
The way I see it...if 20psi was good enough for Zora...it's good enough for me. If I load the car down, like say for a trip, I'll absolutely pump them up to around 30psi.
Radials were installed starting in 1973.
I've been running 20psi in mine since I've had it(10 yrs now)...rides gud, handles gud, wears well, makes lots o noise goin 'round corners(NOT!)...perfect!!
The way I see it...if 20psi was good enough for Zora...it's good enough for me. If I load the car down, like say for a trip, I'll absolutely pump them up to around 30psi.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"