Tire Pressure?

[e30_325es]

no.

[Wishno87]

Could you give me a more detailed explanation? Because on a low profile tire there is less impact that can be absorbed by the tire before it hits the wheel no? Unless the air being pressed against the wheel is what causes it to get bent.

[E30SPDFRK]

The wheels bends by the tire (with the road behind it) coming up and hitting the wheel. Tire pressures won't make too much of a difference here unless we're talking about wicked low pressures (<20). Tire pressures are used to keep tread wear even and to keep the tire seated properly, and most tire manufacturers spec between 32-35 to be optimal.

[e30_325es]

Air is compressable and therefore can't bend your rim by hitting a pothole. What bends the rim is the blunt force of the pothole exerting a force that cannot be absorbed by the tire itself (ever notice it's easier to bend a rim that has less tire on it/a lower profile tire on it?).

The reason why you should run the same pressure regardless of the diameter of the tire or rim is because there is the same pressure in each tire. The volume of the air might be less, but the pressure exerted by the air is the same.

[Wishno87]

Thanks for the explanations guys. Had to drive the vert for a few weeks this winter and 17in wheels + winter roads = some interesting pothole avoiding maneuvers.