FordExcursions.com Forums
Rick Inzerillo
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• Albany, NY, USA |
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• Registered on 6/3/2004 |
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• 4 posts |
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 Posted:6/3/2004 16:06 |
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Hello all,
Im the new owner of an 03 PSD 7.3 Excursion. So far it is a great vehicle. I purchased it as a certified used ford from a dealer. The dealer was careful to show me how the tire pressure settings were printed inside the gas cap. Being a previous Explorer owner, I was sort of shocked to see the 50/55 tire pressure recommendation. I thought the tires appeared low. When i checked them (almost a week and 350 miles later) they all seem to be set at 35 psi.
For one, how bad is it to drive around on these tires at low pressure? They were recall tires, so these are brand new (they are BFG Rugged trail TA LT265/75R16 ) Have i damaged the tire? Should I chase the (non-local) dealer for new ones? The tire actually talks about 80PSI cold. I am hesitant to even fill these tires to 50. My little cigarette lighter pump barely makes it...  Will i get better mileage with the higher pressure? On a highway only trip, the computer read 16.5 most of the time at 74mph. over 200 miles.
Its awesome to see that computer say "633 miles to empty"
Thanks
Rick |
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:6/3/2004 19:41 |
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I keep mine (still the old Firestone Steeltex tires) at 60 PSI. My old F350 weighed only 5,000# and I also kept its tires at 60 PSI (its original tires were rated for 80 PSI ... load range "E") .... and got 97K miles out of tires at that PSI setting. |
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rozett
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• Limington, ME, USA |
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• Registered on 1/10/2003 |
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• 163 posts |
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Posted:6/4/2004 08:01 |
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Although I have a 2000 gasser, I keep my tires at 50/55 also. That is the recommended pressure when towing a trailer. You should not damage the tires (on the high side) as long as you don't exceed the max. pressure molded into the sidewalls. But you should keep an eye on the wear pattern. If you are wearing the center of the tires faster than the outside edges, then you should reduce the pressure some.
You can damage the tires if you are running underinflated. But 35 psi should not cause any harm. But I would recommend keeping them at or above the recommended pressure. Congratulations on an excellent choice of vehicles.  
//bruce
2000 Excursion Limited V10 4x4
ART brakes, Rancho RSX shocks, Hellwig rear sway bar, SD grille, V10 badges, Sylvania Silverstars, clear corners, and Bridgestone Dueler A/T REVO 285s. |
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Lou Beckler
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• Wakeman, OH, USA |
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• Registered on 4/27/2003 |
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• 43 posts |
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Posted:6/5/2004 06:22 |
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I went from 40 to 55 psi and gained 1 mpg.  |
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Dave Sullivan
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• Kitchener, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 2/27/2003 |
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• 199 posts |
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Posted:6/6/2004 00:29 |
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35psi is likely too low for the EX. When I had the new firestones put on courtesy of F.S. Recall, they told me to use the 50/55. I found that the tires were kinda bulgy and felt way too soft. So I upped them to 65 front and 60 rear and this seems to be fine.
If you run tires at too low an inflation the sidewalls get hot and can fail. The hot spot is just below the treadline on the sidewall. Better to run with higher pressures and endure the firmer ride. Especialy if you are loading up the EX with any substantial weight. (8 people?) But never more than the max pressure on the tire COLD.
If you run at higher pressures, say 75/80 psi, and you don't have enough weight, you can actualy lower the life span of the tire because it rides on the middle of the tread instead of all across the tread.
There is a reason behind the pressure differential between the front and rear so you should maintain that differential.
Don't be afraid of the 50/55. Thats where they should be minimumly.
You would be wise to have those tires checked over by someone profesional who knows what they are doing for any damage they may have suffered as a result of being run at 35 psi.
Yes, you will have to find an air supply that will give you the required pressures.
YEs, you will have to get a tire gage that reads high enough.
Yes, you will have to check your tires at least once monthly since they loose about 1psi a month.
Dave S.
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
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Posted:6/9/2004 10:44 |
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Maybe it's that Canadian air you lose 1 psi per month...
I guess our air is denser down here in da sowth 
I just bumped mine up to the 55 psi range after I got the Rancho adjustables...
before them the EX rode too hard for my sensitive posterie' ...
now with the shocks set soft and the tires set harder, I get the best of both worlds...
better ride and better mileage
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo )
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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Dwayne Porter
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• Ellsworth AFB, SD, USA |
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• Registered on 2/10/2004 |
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• 22 posts |
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Posted:6/9/2004 13:12 |
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Speaking of tire pressures, does anyone know of a way to get an accurate reading. I get three different values using the gas station guage, my pen-type guage, and my dial guage. Not small differences either; 30 psi differentials. |
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Orf
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• Pittsburgh, PA, USA |
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• Registered on 8/29/2003 |
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• 143 posts |
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Posted:6/9/2004 23:24 |
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Of the three you mentioned, I would trust the dial guage.
Out of curiosity, what do the 3 different guages read? |
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Dwayne Porter
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• Ellsworth AFB, SD, USA |
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• Registered on 2/10/2004 |
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• 22 posts |
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Posted:6/14/2004 14:49 |
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The pen guage is off the scale above 90, the dial guage shows about 70, and the gas station air hose says 50. |
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