I have a 2006 Kia Sportage 2.0 crdi xs 4wd.
My manual and sticker on the car list the tyre pressures for max load as 32psi which is the same as the normal load?
When i towed my trailer on my previous car I had to raise the pressure while towing my 400KG trailer.
So I am sure i should need to adjust the pressures for towing a 1200KG van !
I know how important getting the correct pressures is, so dont want to start towing untill i get the correct info .
I have searched high and low but can not find the correct towing pressures for my car .
Quote: Originally posted by Mike-Debbie on 02/6/2016
You should not have to adjust the pressure as the caravan should not exert any extra weight on the tyres
How do you come to that conclusion? My nosewieght is 80kg and a large awning in the boot, that eqauls more weight on the tyres or am I missing something
Sorry, you did not say you were loading the boot up with loads of gear as well, the extra nose weight would be no more than a person sat in the back so wouldn't of made much difference
You need to increase the rear tyre pressures on any vehicle if you are compressing extra weight on the suspension and springs whether it be luggage or a trailer or both. This will be confirmed in the official vehicle handbook which is recommended for safety reasons and better fuel economy.
As an example, an empty wheelbarrow with the minimum amount of tyre pressure will be much harder to push when loaded full of bricks which then takes more effort and energy force to move which the same principle applies when loading a vehicle.
To the OP: Is it that the vehicle may self levelling rear suspension that there is no requirement to increase the rear tyre pressures?
Just a guess that's all.
If the Sportage is anything like the Range Rover P38 I had it stated that the rear tyres had to be kept at the same pressure no matter what load it was towing or carrying.
With the Rangie it was because the air suspension system did any adjustments needed.
Quote: Originally posted by GCMS2012 on 03/6/2016
Try a Shogun....
You have to adjust the tyre pressures by all of..............
1PSI!!!! For towing.
As if that will make a difference.....
I agree that 1 psi. doesn't sound much but in technical terms it's 1 pound per 'SQUARE INCH' so you have to work out how many square inches there are in the volume of a car tyre. I don't the formula but it works out to quite a lot so 1 pound per square inch does make a difference.
That's why a huge tractor tyre only requires approximately 15 psi. air pressure as the volume is much greater in comparison to a small tyre so the total psi. decreases. On a disability scooter the tyre pressure is usually around 50 psi. because the volume is less so the psi. increases.
Thanks for the replies, I popped into my local Kia dealer on the way home today, and they Recommended 35 psi when towing, so not a huge increase, but will go with what they say .
Quote: Originally posted by skipp66 on 03/6/2016
Thanks for the replies, I popped into my local Kia dealer on the way home today, and they Recommended 35 psi when towing, so not a huge increase, but will go with what they say .
Okay and a wise decision in order to obtain the correct facts but it makes me wonder why you didn't take this course of action in the beginning and get the answer from the horses mouth.
Fair point tango, my local dealer is not exactly local, if that makes sense, as I live a fair way from them.
So I thought I would ask on here, as I know how helpful and useful these forums can be .
When someone says 'local' it is assumed that it's not that far away but fully understand as my nearest Volvo dealer is over 22 miles away so I understand where you are coming from. At least you got sorted with the correct info at the end of the day.
Does it not tell you what the tyre pressure is inside the fuel flap or on a sticker near one of the front doors,
it will have empty and loaded pressures
On Kias it is on the door pillar.I have towed with their brand of motor for 12 years and have not increased pressure as the plate states same pressure fully loaded.When you hitch caravan, if it is loaded correctly with nose weight 80 _100kg,that is only the weight of a person sitting in the seat.
Quote: Originally posted by birdman101 on 05/6/2016
On Kias it is on the door pillar.I have towed with their brand of motor for 12 years and have not increased pressure as the plate states same pressure fully loaded.When you hitch caravan, if it is loaded correctly with nose weight 80 _100kg,that is only the weight of a person sitting in the seat.