Table of Contents
Overview
265/70R17 is a common tire size, mainly found in newer trucks and SUVs. And just like other tire sizes, it’s important to maintain the recommended tire pressure, if your vehicle drives on 265/70R17 tires. As you may probably know, it’s the air pressure inside the 265/70R17 and not the tire itself, which supports the weight of your vehicle. Hence, it doesn’t come as a surprise that tire pressure plays a key role in your vehicle’s overall performance.
Importance of Maintaining Proper 265/70R17 Tire Pressure
Maintaining the recommended tire pressure on your 265/70R17 tires comes is important. When the tires have the recommended pressure, they will do the job they were built to do. On the other hand, if they don’t have the recommended pressure, they can’t perform as expected. Here are some key reasons why it’s important to maintain the recommended tire pressure on your 265/70R17 tires.
Safety
Apart from the brakes, the 265/70R17 tires on your vehicle play an important role when it comes to safety. If they are underinflated, then there will be more of their surface making contact with the road. And this will lead to more friction between the road and the tire.
More friction will eventually lead to more heat and wear. And if this continues happening, there’s a risk of a tire blowout or tread separation, which can eventually cause a serious accident.
At the same time, if your 265/70R17 tires are overinflated, your stopping distances and traction will all be affected. And this poses a safety risk for both you and other road users, especially when you are driving in rainy conditions.
Longevity
If your 265/70R17 tires are underinflated, the outer areas or the edges will wear out at a faster rate than the inner part. On the other hand, if your 265/70R17 tires are consistently overinflated, the center tread will wear out at a faster rate than the outer edges.
Whichever the case, driving with overinflated or underinflated 265/70R17 tires will lead to premature wear and tear. And as a result, you will be replacing them more frequently than you should, leading to higher maintenance costs.
Hence, it’s important to maintain the recommended tire pressure on your 265/70R17 tires. Doing so will help to boost their longevity, meaning you won’t have to purchase new ones often. As a result, you will end up saving money on maintenance costs.
Comfort
Overinflated 265/70R17 tires can reduce your driving comfort. If they have been inflated above the recommended pressure, less of the tire’s surface will be making contact with the surface. As a result, your ride will be bouncier and harder.
Also, the amount of road noise and vibrations produced by the tires will be higher, compared to when they have been properly inflated. And all these issues will make your ride extremely uncomfortable and unbearable, especially when you are on a long ride like a road trip.
Handling
The 265/70R17 tires on your vehicle are the main point of contact between it and the road. Therefore, they have a direct role in your vehicle’s handling and performance. So, if they are inflated below or above the recommended tire pressure, there’s a high chance you will have a choppy ride.
Also, underinflated or overinflated tires may not respond to your driving inputs accurately and timely. And as a result, you may be forced to work harder to control your vehicle properly. Also, the ride will not be smooth. Furthermore, you won’t be able to optimize your vehicle’s engine to the maximum.
Fuel Efficiency
If your 265/70R17 tires are consistently underinflated, they will have a higher rolling resistance. Consequently, your vehicle will be forced to work harder to keep them rolling well, resulting in higher fuel consumption. Therefore, you will be spending more on gas than you should.
In fact, maintaining the recommended tire pressure on your 265/70R17 tires can help to boost your gas mileage by approximately 3%, according to the U.S Department of Energy.
Emissions
As mentioned above, driving when your 265/70R17 tires have the recommended tire pressure will lead to more fuel consumption. And the more fuel your vehicle burns, the more carbon dioxide and other harmful gases it will produce.
Therefore, as much as this may not be affecting your vehicle in any way, you will be harming the environment. Hence, you can play your part in conserving the environment by always making sure that your 265/70R17 tires have the recommended tire pressure when driving.
Recommended Tire Pressure for 265/70R17
Without a doubt, maintaining the recommended tire pressure for 265/70R17 tire comes with numerous benefits. The question is, what is the recommended tire pressure for 265/70R17? Well, the recommended tire pressure for 265/70R17 will depend on a vehicle’s tire load capacity.
On average, it ranges between 26 psi and 32 psi for the standard load tire and 26 psi to 42 psi for the extra load tire. For the LT metric 265/70R17 tires, the recommended tire pressure ranges between 35 psi and 80 psi, depending on the tire load capacity.
265/70R17 Tire Inflation Tips
It’s important to maintain the recommended tire pressure on your 265/70R17 tires at all times. Here are some tips that will help you to proper tire pressure for the set of 265/70R17 tires on your vehicle.
First, ensure you keep a reliable tire gauge in your vehicle’s glove compartment at all times. You can opt for either a dial gauge or a digital one. Both gauges are reliable, regardless of the one you choose. With this gauge, you can always check the tire pressure before you leave home or work. You should then proceed to inflate or deflate it accordingly up to the recommended pressure.
Second, make sure you check your 265/70R17 tires regularly. Tires lose pressure every day, due to various reasons. Hence, it will be a good idea to keep monitoring them. The frequency will depend on the number of miles you clock per day. If you are a long-distance driver, then you should be checking your tires at least once per week. If you don’t drive for long, then you should check the tires at least once per month.
Wrapping It Up
The 265/70R17 tires on your vehicle play an important role in its safety, performance, and fuel economy. Therefore, make sure you maintain the recommended tire pressure at all times.
About The Author
Charles Redding
I've spent many years selling cars, working with auto detailers, mechanics, dealership service teams, quoting and researching car insurance, modding my own cars, and much more.
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