Experiments with tire pressure on my Lariat

[El Kabong]

Just some observation/opinion from me on the '26 Lariat. I've owned a lot of vehicles over the years and know that just a few PSI can make a difference in handling and ride/comfort.

So, when I got my Lariat (with it's 225/55 R19 Goodyear Wrangler Territory HT tires unevenly overinflated from the factory) the first thing I did was to set the tires to 36 PSI cold. Drove around for a week and then bumped them up to 38 PSI cold, drove another week and set them to 40 PSI cold, and another week at 42 PSI cold. I'm basing my PSI readings on the TPMS as my current tire pressure gauges are junk.

With the tires at 38 PSI I could not tell much of a difference from 36 PSI. At 40 and 42 PSI I could say that the vehicle had a different feel - quicker to turn in but also more prone to tramlining and it felt more twitchy on rough roads (of which there are plenty in my area).

I'm back to stock pressure (36 PSI) and it feels pretty well balanced. I think the low aspect profile of the 225/55 R19 tires is not ideal for this vehicle. My 2013 Escape had 19" wheels as well but it handled differently IIRC.

It also feels like this vehicle could benefit from toe adjustment closer to zero, from what I can find in this post the factory sets it at 0.25 with +/- 0.20 (kind of sloppy!) for the 2022 model year, I can't find the 2026 specs. Makes me wish I had access to an alignment rack so I could play around with it.

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[Manning]

I've settled on 35f 32r in the same tires, just for ride quality.

I do autocross the Lobo and will air up to 40f / 35r before the drive to the event, and sharp edge bumps and pavement gaps are far more noticeable than with the lower psi. Of course, the handling is sharper and the tires roll over less during the autocross runs. I'll lower the pressures for the drive home.

Checking toe does not require a rack. You can get good results with old school toe plates and a tape measure.

 

[El Kabong]

I would have to buy toe plates... and store them. I have no garage, my shed is bursting at the seams, and I am forbidden from having two sheds (so, my old JD GT235 lives in a tent).

Else I would be tempted...

 

[MavStangVa]

I would have to buy toe plates... and store them. I have no garage, my shed is bursting at the seams, and I am forbidden from having two sheds (so, my old JD GT235 lives in a tent).

Else I would be tempted...

When we bought our current home it had a 8 x 12 shed. That is for yard equipment. I ordered a matching 12 x 20 with a high peak roof for a workshop. 50 amp service to it and even added side lights on the front for curb appeal . That left the 2 car garage for, well 2 cars. She has her Explorer in it and I c bought a 2005 Mustang convertible for my bay. The truck is outside as God intended trucks to be . Never had my daily driver garaged in my life so why start now. First time in my 47 years of home ownership I didn't have the lawn equipment in the garage.

 

[El Kabong]

Well, instead of another shed, we will have a greenhouse.

I had no say in the matter because I know better.

 

[grandpopa'sMPGs]

My road are very good 42F 35R

 

[scharris99]

Just some observation/opinion from me on the '26 Lariat. I've owned a lot of vehicles over the years and know that just a few PSI can make a difference in handling and ride/comfort.

So, when I got my Lariat (with it's 225/55 R19 Goodyear Wrangler Territory HT tires unevenly overinflated from the factory) the first thing I did was to set the tires to 36 PSI cold. Drove around for a week and then bumped them up to 38 PSI cold, drove another week and set them to 40 PSI cold, and another week at 42 PSI cold. I'm basing my PSI readings on the TPMS as my current tire pressure gauges are junk.

With the tires at 38 PSI I could not tell much of a difference from 36 PSI. At 40 and 42 PSI I could say that the vehicle had a different feel - quicker to turn in but also more prone to tramlining and it felt more twitchy on rough roads (of which there are plenty in my area).

I'm back to stock pressure (36 PSI) and it feels pretty well balanced. I think the low aspect profile of the 225/55 R19 tires is not ideal for this vehicle. My 2013 Escape had 19" wheels as well but it handled differently IIRC.

It also feels like this vehicle could benefit from toe adjustment closer to zero, from what I can find in this post the factory sets it at 0.25 with +/- 0.20 (kind of sloppy!) for the 2022 model year, I can't find the 2026 specs. Makes me wish I had access to an alignment rack so I could play around with it.

I suggest you buy a good dial tire pressure gauge. TPMS is not an accurate measurement. My 2025 TPMS reads 3-5 psi low. Our 2020 Escape read 1-3 psi low with the factory sensors, but is now accurate with whatever generic sensors Firestone installed as the factory sensors died.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

38PSI is the sweetest spot for me

 

[James K]

When we bought our current home it had a 8 x 12 shed. That is for yard equipment. I ordered a matching 12 x 20 with a high peak roof for a workshop. 50 amp service to it and even added side lights on the front for curb appeal . That left the 2 car garage for, well 2 cars. She has her Explorer in it and I c bought a 2005 Mustang convertible for my bay. The truck is outside as God intended trucks to be . Never had my daily driver garaged in my life so why start now. First time in my 47 years of home ownership I didn't have the lawn equipment in the garage.

I have a 2 1/2 car garage on the house, a basement workshop, a 8x16 shed and 10 years ago I built another 20x30 garage/workshop behind the house with a lift that in the winter I use to allow more vehicle storage and I still have them filled full. Oh, I also have a cottage with 2 single garages filled. It's true that the more storage you have, the stuff you keep. I mean I have 4 GT6 motors and 1 GT6.

 

[icegradner]

Yeah I would not use the TPMS either, other than to see if you are losing pressure from a slow leak or something. Every other system I’ve got (from an old school manual checker, 12v inflator, digital sensor) shows 2-3 less PSI than the factory TPMS. I don’t have any fancy calibrated gauges, mind you.

 

[sajohnson]

Many/most people may be aware of this, but while overinflation can give the impression of better handling because turn-in is quicker, the more pressure the less rubber on the road, so ultimate grip is lower.

 

[ScottyC]

Ford spec's the 19" Goodyears as an extra load rated tire...presumably due to the shorter sidewalls to protect the rim from damage.

I am currently 35 PSI cold all around.

 

[Carlitos_92]

TPMS is not an accurate measurement.

I agree that everyone should have a tire gauge, but the accuracy of OEM TPMS sensors definitely varies... Mine are within 1 psi compared to my own inflator, my manual gauges, and even the Costco filling station.

 

[Ryom]

Lower pressure allows more sidewall flex, which is one of the main contributors of the tire heating up (past ambient) which may shorten the tire life. For something like autocross or "spirited" drivers this may contribute to early sidewall failure as well when hard braking is also heating the wheel. So it's advisable to not run the tires underspec unless you are in need of extra traction at low speeds. Generally I'd keep a tire within about 5PSI of manufacturer recommendation unless I have a very specific task in mind for the tire.

 

[matmondro]

Lower pressure allows more sidewall flex, which is one of the main contributors of the tire heating up (past ambient) which may shorten the tire life. For something like autocross or "spirited" drivers this may contribute to early sidewall failure as well when hard braking is also heating the wheel. So it's advisable to not run the tires underspec unless you are in need of extra traction at low speeds. Generally I'd keep a tire within about 5PSI of manufacturer recommendation unless I have a very specific task in mind for the tire.

Now this goes for any car, but spirited driving or track tire pressures are actually lower than what the door jamb sticker says. As you're driving harder along with other factors like you mentioned (i.e. braking heat), the tire pressure will actually then increase quicker and by a larger degree, thus getting your tire pressures into the target window (which varies by car, tire compound, size, etc). So, there are some instances where running lower tire pressures are actually ideal.

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