22" Recommended Tire Pressure

[MissyRoseTahoo]

Moving to a set of 285-45-22 Pirelli AS Plus 3’s on Friday (replacing my 275-55-20’s). What tire pressure does everyone recommend on the 285-45-22’s whose ride came through from the factory with 20's…?

Since my Tahoe is a 2013 that came with 20’s, not sure if there is a difference on the door sticker for those that came through in later years with 22’s.

I run between 35-37, currently, on my 20’s here in FL, and after driving in the heat, they climb to 37-39.

Currently and with the 20’s, I prefer a stiffer sidewall vs. the alternative—too low and the tires seem to roll, especially on the highway.

I’m assuming, but not 100% sure, I will need to go with a higher PSI because of the lower profile and wanted to ask what everyone may be running, if you now have a 285-45-22 set-up.

 

[buckwild27]

I run 38 psi cold in my 22's. Best way to know you're running the right psi for your vehicle is to find an empty flat parking lot.
Just make sure there aren't a lot of cracks, bumps or pot holes in the ground.

Air your tires up to maximum inflation. This should be marked on the side of your tires.

Next, draw a thick, straight line across the width of the tire. You’ll want to “chalk” the tread blocks all the way across (in a straight line) including the outer lugs. You may need to chalk two rows to get a good covering.

Now drive your vehicle in a straight line forward for about one complete car length.

Get out and inspect the chalk mark left on the ground and on the tire. A tire with the proper air pressure should press the chalk line evenly across the ground. This means you'll see the entire chalk line imprinted on the ground. An over-inflated tire will bulge (or crown) and only the center of the line will touch and be left on the ground. In this case you will only see a small portion of line left on the ground. Since you are aired to Max inflation, then this is what you should see.

Let out about 3lbs of air, and repeat this process.

As you test your tire this way you will start to see a more complete line of chalk on the ground. You will have to keep letting air out until you see a complete line of chalk on the ground.

If you're tire is underinflated, you'll see only the sides of the lines since the middle of the tire is not making contact with the ground.

You will need to keep adjusting your tire's air pressure according to the chalk test results until you find the pressure that is satisfactory to you. Keep in mind that you will need to do this test on both the front and rear tires to find the proper inflation for both which may or may not be the same. Record this information and keep it in your vehicle for future reference. As your tires wear you may need to perform this test again to confirm proper PSI.

 

[solli5pack]

I keep mine at 38psi

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Call your local dealer and ask them what the GM recommended tire pressure is for trucks using that 22" tire size as OEM equipment.

 

[homesick]

Google probably knows, too.

My '07 Escalade's 22s take 35 psi, per the decal.

joe

 

[MissyRoseTahoo]

Thanks, everyone...

The reason I asked is that the stickers don't always line up with what is best/optimal, in reality...

Thought, maybe, a lower profile tire would need more PSI...sounds similar to the 20's...

 

[MWR Denali]

My factory 22" wheels (which I bought over the parts counter) came with a supplemental door jamb sticker and I'm 99% sure it states 34psi. Will confirm.

 

[steiny93]

I run 38 psi cold in my 22's. Best way to know you're running the right psi for your vehicle is to find an empty flat parking lot.
Just make sure there aren't a lot of cracks, bumps or pot holes in the ground.

Air your tires up to maximum inflation. This should be marked on the side of your tires.

Next, draw a thick, straight line across the width of the tire. You’ll want to “chalk” the tread blocks all the way across (in a straight line) including the outer lugs. You may need to chalk two rows to get a good covering.

Now drive your vehicle in a straight line forward for about one complete car length.

Get out and inspect the chalk mark left on the ground and on the tire. A tire with the proper air pressure should press the chalk line evenly across the ground. This means you'll see the entire chalk line imprinted on the ground. An over-inflated tire will bulge (or crown) and only the center of the line will touch and be left on the ground. In this case you will only see a small portion of line left on the ground. Since you are aired to Max inflation, then this is what you should see.

Let out about 3lbs of air, and repeat this process.

As you test your tire this way you will start to see a more complete line of chalk on the ground. You will have to keep letting air out until you see a complete line of chalk on the ground.

If you're tire is underinflated, you'll see only the sides of the lines since the middle of the tire is not making contact with the ground.

You will need to keep adjusting your tire's air pressure according to the chalk test results until you find the pressure that is satisfactory to you. Keep in mind that you will need to do this test on both the front and rear tires to find the proper inflation for both which may or may not be the same. Record this information and keep it in your vehicle for future reference. As your tires wear you may need to perform this test again to confirm proper PSI.

do this, best way to ensure you are contacting the entire tire

 

[petethepug]

I run my 22’s @ 39# warm 285/45/22. Any lower and I wear the outside edges of the tires quicker than the center.

If you have AWD shop for an exact match used tire on eBay used tires. They’re about 50-$60 shipped. If you damaged a tire that’s irreparable you can install and run the used tire until the other three wear out.

Tire shops favorite dilemma is telling owners of AWD vehicles they have to replace all four tires because any new (larger circumference) tire added to the used tires will spin the diff and damage it. That same shop will also tell you they only install new tires, not even your own previously removed tires.

I buy all my tires online and have my Indi tech install them. Both the new and used. America’s Tire / Discount Tires no longer had a stranglehold on my AWD Esky or Audi anymore.

 

[B-train]

I keep mine about 36 - 38 psi. That ensures they ride like shit after the tires have some miles on them, and ruin expensive Z95 struts in a timely fashion. If you have nice, smooth, roads then enjoy your wheels. I can't wait to ditch the 22 inch for 20 or 18. They look nice, corner well, but the ride sucks.

 

[pwtr02ss]

I run 40 usually.

 

[George B]

35 psi to start or they wear the centers too much. The pressure increases quite a bit when warm so no need to start too high. plus it rides better.

 

[Redfish5050]

Door sticker from a 2016 Tahoe attached. Bought it used recently and have about 12k miles on a new set of Michelins. Wear looks great so far. Balancing this size tire is apparently a challenge. NTB struck out twice. Find a tire store with a “road force balancer”. Discount Tire hit the mark the first time, and typical with Michelins, one balancing lasts the life of the tire.

 

[Kermode]

I recently purchased new tires and reached out to Toyo for their suggestion since it's their tire. They suggested based off the original tire size and pressure listed as 265/70/17 at 32 PSI for my vehicle, that the new size 285/45/22 should be 35 psi cold. I also did the chalk mark check and it hit best at 35 to 36 after the alignment so that's where it's at. Rides decent for dropped and small sidewall. I would maybe suggest calling/emailing your tire manufacturer if your curious and see what they say.

 

[NashRed]

I keep mine about 36 - 38 psi. That ensures they ride like shit after the tires have some miles on them, and ruin expensive Z95 struts in a timely fashion. If you have nice, smooth, roads then enjoy your wheels. I can't wait to ditch the 22 inch for 20 or 18. They look nice, corner well, but the ride sucks.

This made me laugh-but seriously is that the PSI you feel is best case scenario? I have 4 year old Michelin Defenders-riding rough and just replaced air ride compressor and front struts. This 2016 defefintly does not ride as smooth as my 2011 which had 20's.

 

[B-train]

This made me laugh-but seriously is that the PSI you feel is best case scenario? I have 4 year old Michelin Defenders-riding rough and just replaced air ride compressor and front struts. This 2016 defefintly does not ride as smooth as my 2011 which had 20's.

Yes, otherwise any lower PSI and it looks/feels like there is no sidewall available. I've tried the 32 psi setting, but all it yielded was more rounding of edges and not much improved ride.

22 inch wheels just don't do it for me anymore. It's my wife's DD, that's why they are still on there.......if it were my DD, I would've kept the 18 inch winter wheels on all year. I am also frugal (or...cheap depending on your view) and thought I should also get my money's worth out of them for another summer since they still had decent tread left.

They are now getting pretty much toasted, so they will be on the sale block this fall. They are pretty, just not pretty enough to look past the ****** ride.

To your last point, my 2008 Denali daily driver rides much better in my book with 20 inch wheels on it for sure. 18 inch winter wheels ride even better.