Does one really need to inflate tires to the max psi as indicated on the sidewall? My new General GMax GS03's call for 51 psi. Right now they are at 34psi as installed by a local tire shop. They are Z rated tires of course. Always have wondered about this.

 

That's the max psi before the tire explodes. Not the recommended usage.

 

Your local tire shop got it about right. Check the recommended pressures on your driver's side door sill.

The tires probably won't immediately explode at 51 psi, but that much pressure would certainly provide a very firm ride, and excessive wear in the center of the tire tread.

 

I always kinda figured that the high pressure would be more for heavy loads etc. I can't imgine driving on that high of a pressure. I'll stick with what's on the drivers door's recommendations. Thanks for the good heads up.
Member: Country Roads Minis

 

For normal street use refer to your owner's manual or the label on the driver's side door jam for the right tire pressure no matter which tire you use- runflat or nonrunflat.

For the MINI it is about 32-34psi cold for most uses but can be higher like 35-37 psi if you drive highways and want less rolling resistance.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...e.jsp?techid=1

Some hypermiler drivers pump up their tires more like 42 psi and report higher mpg.

You don't inflate the tires to max tire pressure for street use- it's more for warning you what pressure limit the tire has.

see
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?techid=196

As your tires heat up or late in the day they will show a slightly higher psi reading so check them in the cooler times of the day.