kf3506

I don't know mike, i just know that it'll be off

TrevHoff

Alright, took each tire down to 36PSI. Took her for a little spin and a little better! I am not sure if it is 100% but will get back to you tonight on my drive home. Cold tire pressure makes a world of difference, was definitely giving me false numbers last night compared to what I had to drain out during lunch today.

I would only assume that the tire pressure in your question; the tire would be harder? LMAO Love you engineers and your useless facts you are capable of keeping in your brains.

PwrDriftr

I think the tire would be softer since air is thinner (less density) at higher altitude. If I'm right, please tell my wife that reading Road & Track is not a waste of time, but is furthering my education.

Also, to the subject at hand, I don't think it's air pressure in the tires. I can see how low tire pressure may cause your car to pull one way or the other, but to offset the steering wheel, I would think that the tire would almost need to be flat.

I think you need an alignment. That's my 2 cents. Damn forgot to include the &^# HST. That's my 2.26 cents....

mikeh

Your right - just full of useless info upstairs, LOL

Another option is to use Nitrogen in your tires. I personally am not a fan and believe that nitrogen is good if you are in a race application so I am not willing to spend the extra for it. I like to look like I know what I am doing when I check my tires every week or so. It impresses the wife and neighbours.

TrevHoff

Well drive home was not looking good! Still a slight cant to the right! SOOO ANNOYING!

So inevitable I probably need a wheel alignment I'm assuming?

Is there any repercussions on the vehicle in the long run if I don't do this right away? Extra cash flow not coming so easy considering I JUST purchased this car!

How much am I looking to pay for a wheel alignment

Further to this; any place anyone can recommend in Calgary!? Is the dealership the safest?

TrevHoff

Oh and another question!!! Is a wheel alignment covered by the manufacturing warranty!?

Only have 39,000KM on it!

hoeser

Respectfully gentlemen, you are both incorrect. The pressure inside the tire will increase the higher you go above sea level. The volume of air inside the tire will not change as you increase in altitude (aside from leakage, the seal isn't 100% perfect). However with that being said, most gauges read in pressure above atmospheric at sea level (around 14.7psi). For example, an "empty" or "flat" tire at sea level still has air in it, but it's the same as the surrounding air pressure, the gauge will then read 0, but the tire actually has 14.7psi of pressure inside. If you were to add 1psi to the tire, it would have 15.7psi in it but the gauge would read 1.

As you increase in altitude, the air thins, and the ambient pressure is therefore less. At 10,000ft its around 10psi... so a tire that reads 30psi at sea level will then read about 34.7 at 10,000ft. (4.7psi less ambient pressure = 4.7psi higher tire pressure). In a complete vacuum the tire would read 44.7psi as there would be no pressure on the outside of the tire at all.

The end result is, the higher you go, the harder the tire becomes as the air inside wants to escape - the less pressure pushing on the outside means more pressure pushing on the inside. If you put 55 or 60psi in a tire at sea level, and threw that same tire in a vacuum, it would likely explode (assuming its max rating was around 50psi).

Also, I have too much time on my hands.

PwrDriftr

Hoeser,

Yes, you have too much time on your hands. LOL I never was a good math student.


TrevHoff,

It's very unlikely that the alignment would be covered under the warranty. Did you get your car from a deal, was it a CPO (Certified Pre Owned) car? If so, I'd bitch at them and tell them that this should have been resolved before you even bought the car.

If you bought it private, you're probably SOL, the alignment will run you around $200 at a private shop.

If you don't do the alignment you may cause some premature tire wear, but I think that's about all that will happen.

TrevHoff

Yup bought it private! It is such a slight cant its barely noticeable! However just does not look for feel right!

$200!!!

Any body able to recommend a place in Calgary?

TrevHoff

Kal Tire it is $100.00 Even! Hopefully they do a good job!