Setting the tire pressures on a race car is one of the most important things you can do to improve your track performance. Too much pressure, and your car will be too bouncy and unstable. Too little pressure, and you’ll lose grip and handling. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of setting tire pressures using a skidpad, timer and pyrometer. By following these steps, you’ll be able to find the perfect pressure for your track or autocross car!
The first step in setting your tire pressures is to find a safe, level spot to work on your car. Once you’ve found a good spot, inflate your tires to the recommended pressure for your vehicle. Next, use a skidpad to measure the lateral acceleration of your car. The skidpad should be placed at the center of mass of your car, and you should make sure to keep your speed constant while making laps. After you’ve completed a few laps, check your lateral acceleration readings. If your car is understeering, that means your front tires are losing grip and you need to increase the pressure in those tires. If your car is oversteering, that means your rear tires are losing grip and you need to decrease the pressure in those tires.
Once you’ve found the ideal pressure for your front and rear tires, it’s time to fine-tune those pressures using a timer and pyrometer. Start by inflating your tires to the recommended pressure for your vehicle. Then, use a timer to record how long it takes for your car to complete one lap around a track or autocross course. After you’ve completed a few laps, check your timer readings. If your car is taking longer to complete the lap than it did when you first started, that means your tires are starting to lose grip and you need to decrease the pressure in those tires. On the other hand, if your car is completing the lap faster than it did when you first started, that means your tires are gaining grip and you need to increase the pressure in those tires.
The ideal tire temperature is between 200-250 degrees Fahrenheit. If your tires are running cooler than that, it means they’re not getting enough grip and you need to increase the pressure. If your tires are running hotter than that, it means they’re getting too much grip and you need to decrease the pressure.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to find the perfect tire pressures for your track or autocross car!
