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MG MGA - Correct Tyre Pressure

I don't want to hijack Mike's thread so I'm starting a new one.

In Sunday's run through the Blue Ridge Mountains I noticed the steering seemed a bit squishy and twice going rather aggressively around curves I broke the rear end loose. On inspection it appears that both the front left and right rear tyres were a bit low on air pressure. I usually check the pressures before driving but, of course, failed to do it this time.

Anyway, on my bone-stock '62 Mk.II running Vredestein 165-15 radials, what is the correct tyre pressure for spirited driving? I've been running 34psi but have no reason to believe that pressure is any more than a wag.

Thanks.

Jud


J K Chapin

Hi Jud, not sure what “wag” is short for? My feelings are they are too high for cruising- I reckon around 24-26 psi is the range. Was it dry or wet? Interested to know age of tyres?
What profile are they, lower profile needs less pressure to stop deformation from cornering forces. Wet driving benefits from higher pressure as it reduces foot print to prevent aqua planning.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

I run the same tire and find 28-32 to be about the correct range. 26 would be a bare minimum and 34 a maximum. That's based on my own personal experience and driving preferences. If the steering response seems poor while running 34 PSI, I'd be looking at the bushings.
Steve Simmons

Longstone recommendations:
Suggested tyre pressures for single cam shaft MGA cars with 155R15 radial tyres would be 28psi front and 32psi in the rear.

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-car-tyres/mg/mga.html
John Francis

Hi John, you might have seen from my other posts that I am a bit of a contrarian about tyres and tyre pressures (I don't agree with Longstone Tyres recommendations, consider too high and too much differential front to back for regular driving).

The MGAguru has some great practical advice about arriving at the tyre pressures to suit individual driving styles.
https://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tires/ti102.htm
and for fine tuning, SP-101 to SP-105 on this page
https://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tires/tire1.htm

Cheers
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

I run 27 all round.
Steve Gyles

I really should learn to look more carefully before I post.

My tyres are 155-15 82S. They also show the following:
00041-S (E4) 0217694 The "E4" is in a circle. I assume that the is some kind of production code from Vredestein.

The also show DOT (0314) DVP7

My understanding is that the "0314 in the oval is the manufacturing date code indicating the tyres were made during the 3rd week of 2014. I don't know if "DVP7" means anything.

Anyway, the pressures in the front tyres were reasonable between 31 and 33 psi. The rear tyres were a different story - between 15 and 18 psi. I've probably picked up a nail so I'll be monitoring more frequently and more carefully.

Mike, "wag" is short for "Wild Ass Guess."

The weather was sunny and the road was dry although it had rained the day before.

Thanks. Jud
J K Chapin

Well that explains the mushy handling! Tires that low on pressure will also wear unevenly, and potentially overheat.
Steve Simmons

Jud
We run on Vredensteins - just thrown away a set which was 8 years on the car - we are told they are good for six years only (had two blow up at four on our caravan).
We run the A (and the B V8) at 26 - 30. Seems good for our lumpy roads.

Roger
Roger Walker

I had contacted Longstone Tyre a few months back with the same question. Their response: start at 30psi front and 32psi rear, and adjust if necessary. I had typically run 32psi all around on the Michelin 165/15's, so the adjustment for me was minimal. Higher pressures do lead to a bumpier ride on some roads, but I like the new settings. I've seen some cars running at 26-28 psi, but there's just too much sidewall bulge for my liking.
Nick Kopernik

This thread was discussed on 29/09/2020

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