Regardless of size, a tire's handling and durability is directly tied to using the appropriate inflation pressure for the vehicle. With a variety of wheel and tire choices for new vehicles, it's essential to rely on the vehicle manufacturer to specify the appropriate inflation pressure for the tires. Using the vehicle's weight capacity for each axle and other considerations, the manufacturer can best calculate the psi needed to ensure the tire handles and performs well.All too often, many drivers and mechanics assume the maximum tire pressure listed on the tire's sidewall is what is recommended for proper inflation. However, that number represents the maximum pressure that's safely allowed, but is likely higher than what is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Tire pressure can vary on several things, including:Changes in temperature Changes in altitude TimeFor best results, look for a placard on the inside of the driver's door or a similar chart in the owner's manual to determine the recommended psi for your application.
The Ford Ranger has gone through many different rebirths since its creation. During many of pickup truck's years of production, numerous different trims were also introduced. Finding the right tire pressure recommendations for your vehicle will require a little digging. The proper air pressure for the tires in your Ranger will depend, first, on the year of production. Second, the air pressure will correlate to the power distribution to the wheels -- namely, whether the truck is two- or four-wheel drive. Other variations in model and cab length, tire size and the speed rating might also come into play. The normal psi (pounds per square inch) pressure in your Ranger tires will be around 30 psi. You probably don't want it dropping below 28 psi. Some Ford models will call for 35 psi in either all four or two of the tires, but this usually occurs in sport models or when the bed is carrying heavy cargo. (The extra pressure would be in the rear wheels in the latter case.) Ford Motor Co. states that for some light trucks, such as the Ranger, higher psi levels (35 to 44) can lead to better fuel economy.
The best option for you is to locate your Ranger's manual. If you've lost it, a copy of the manual can be usually be found online. This information can also be found on the interior of your driver's-side door frame on a sticker. The psi level will typically be the last line of data. Remember that the sticker may call for a cold measurement, meaning you haven't taken the truck out for a jog before running the test. : 2010 Ford Ranger Ford Motor Co.: Glossary FuelEconomy.gov: Keeping Your Car In Shape You May Also Like The Ford Taurus is a mid-size sedan that is perfect for families or anyone who needs some space. Checking the tire pressure... The Ford Explorer is thought by many to be one of the most versatile vehicles on the road. Whether driving the family... The Ford Ranger is available with several different engines, including the 2.3 liter I4, the 3.0 liter V-6 and the 4.0 liter... Driving with underinflated tires is a common cause of tire failure and blowout, according to Ford Motor Co. Fortunately, newer Ford trucks,...
Tires are subject to extreme conditions, so they must be in good condition to keep you safe on the road. Like most trucks, the ride quality of the Ford Ranger is not always perfectly smooth. This is due in large part to... How To Travel For Free With Reward Points Where Is the PCM on a 2004 Ford Ranger? Ford Ranger Sensor Problems How to Soften Car Suspension How to Customize a Ford Ranger How to Replace Shocks on a Ford Ranger 1982 Ford F-150 Specifications How to Check Tire Pressure. Tires have been known to lose up to 1psi (pounds per square inch) every month, so check all tires, including your spare, once a month (or before a long trip). Purchase a trusted tire pressure gauge. Check your tires “cold” – before you’ve driven or at least three hours after you’ve driven. Insert tire pressure gauge into the valve stem on your tire. (If you are using a digital tire gauge like the one pictured, the gauge should begin reading the air pressure immediately.
Refer to your air pressure gauge owners manual for correct usage instructions. If using a "pencil" style tire gauge, the gauge will “pop” out and show a measured number. When you hear a “pssst” sound, that’s air escaping the tire. The escaping air shouldn’t affect pressure substantially, unless you hold down the air pressure gauge too long.) Compare the measured psi to the psi found on the sticker inside the driver’s door of your vehicle or in owner’s manual. DO NOT compare to the psi on your tire’s sidewall. If your psi is above the number, let air out until it matches. If below, add air (or have a Michelin retailer help you) until it reaches the proper number. Low pressure can lead to tire damage. See the inflation difference: Car & Pickup Tires 3/4 & 1 Ton Trucks Nitrogen Versus Compressed Air Most tires are filled with compressed air. But some tire retailers have started to put nitrogen into their customers’ tires. (Nitrogen is simply dry air with the oxygen removed.
Air contains nearly 79% nitrogen already.) Because nitrogen replaces oxygen, less air can escape your tires, and your inflation pressure stays higher longer. Unfortunately, there are other possible sources of leaks (tire/rim interface, valve, valve/rim interface and the wheel), which prevent the guarantee of pressure maintenance for individuals using air or nitrogen inflation. Nitrogen and compressed air CAN be mixed, if needed. Tires manufactured by Michelin are designed to deliver their expected performance when inflated with air or nitrogen, as long as the user respects the pressures recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle’s placard or by the tire manufacturer.If you're driving a 2008 or newer car, truck or SUV, it has a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The feature became standard on all 2008 and newer models, thanks to the TREAD Act that Congress enacted in 2000 after rollover incidents involving the Ford Explorer and Firestone tires. Some 2006 and 2007 model-year vehicles also have TPMS.
The TPMS symbol is either a cross-section of a tire with an exclamation point in it or an overhead view of a car with all four tires exposed, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Because of a variety of considerations from tire companies and automakers, a TPMS warning light isn't required to come on until a tire is 25 percent below the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure. That's also well below the pressure required for safe driving, according to the American Automobile Association. This situation exists because the recommended pressure for some vehicles is barely adequate to carry the vehicle's maximum load, according to the Rubber Manufacturers' Association (RMA). This means if you're driving on a slightly underinflated tire while carrying a minivan full of high school football players or a pickup truck with a bed full of lumber, that tire could overheat and blow out. Know the Light and Know What To Do When the TPMS light illuminates, you should check the tire pressure on all tires.
Only one may need air, but checking all of them is a good habit to have. If the light is flashing, there could be a malfunction with the TPMS system. It could also mean that you are using a spare tire and the vehicle cannot detect the sensor of the original wheel. In theory, a TPMS is just one more feature that helps drivers understand the safety of their cars. But it's only effective if drivers can identify the light and are still vigilant about checking their tire pressures. A study by Schrader International, a company that manufactures TPMS systems, found that 42 percent of drivers are unable to identify the low-tire-pressure warning light on the instrument cluster. Roughly the same percentage of those polled admitted to rarely checking the tire pressure. Once the light has come on, some people might wait days to get around to filling their tires. The same Schrader study indicated that for those who do recognize the TMPS light, 21 percent said that when they stop to check the low tire, they only give it a visual inspection, rather than using a tire pressure gauge.
Worse yet, roughly 10 percent admitted to ignoring the light altogether. People who rely on the TPMS to warn them about low pressure are taking their chances. In addition to being a safety hazard, low tire pressure decreases fuel economy and causes tires to wear out more quickly. These are all reasons to be vigilant about checking tire pressure at least monthly, and to not rely on a TPMS to do the job. Losing Control Before the TPMS Illuminates A tire that's underinflated by just 5 psi can potentially fail. An underinflated tire flexes more than a properly inflated tire, and that creates heat. Excessive heat can break down components and chemical bonds inside a tire. It's much like bending a wire coat hanger: Bend it far enough and long enough, and it will heat up and snap. It's especially important to be vigilant about tire pressure when the weather is hot and vehicle speeds are high. Temperature is another factor that can affect tire pressure and trigger your TPMS light.
When the weather is cold, the tire pressures will drop. When it warms up, the pressures will rise. This is something to keep in mind when the fall or summer comes along. For every 10 degree change in ambient temperature, you lose or gain about 1 psi, according to�Tire Rack. Where Do Automakers and the Government Stand? So why didn't NHTSA require that the warning light illuminate sooner, before the pressure dips too far? "The TPMS regulations were meant to warn drivers that a tire failure is imminent, not to indicate unsafe handling might occur," according to the agency. From the standpoint of the automakers, having a TPMS that activates at a lower threshold is problematic because it introduces the possibility of false warnings. Changes in temperature can have a dramatic effect on tire pressure. The concern is that frequent tire pressure warnings would cause drivers living in places with extreme temperature fluctuations to ignore the systems entirely. Indirect vs. Direct TPMS
There are two types of TPMS: indirect and direct. The lower-cost, indirect TPMS doesn't actually monitor air pressure. Rather, indirect systems use the antilock braking system's wheel-speed sensor to detect that one tire is rotating faster than its mates. (An underinflated tire has a smaller circumference so it has to roll faster to keep up.) Thus, the margin of error of indirect systems is large. Meanwhile, a direct TPMS measure a tire's actual pressure. They are usually accurate to within 1 psi. Current direct systems use a gauge mounted to the wheel or tire valve. This gauge sends a signal to the car's computer. How the data is interpreted and displayed in the car depends on whether it is a low-line or high-line unit. A high-line system has sensors mounted in each of the wheelwells and will display the individual pressure of each tire on the instrument cluster. Low-line systems are found on less expensive cars and will only prompt the low-pressure warning light. It is then up to the driver to figure out which tire is low.