Bridgestone RFT tire pressures

slamako · 05-30-2009, 09:05 AM

Hi everybody,

I will be going to my first open track day event tomorrow and thankfully, a good friend of mine, a SCCA instructor, will be accompanying me. He's helping me come prepared for the track day, which is huge help.

One question that came up is baseline tire pressure people have used with the RFT. My car uses the Bridgestone RFT's (that came with the car) and was wondering what tire pressures people have used with these tires. BTW-my car is bone stock.

Any insight from any out there would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any feedback provided.
Slamako

Lester · 05-30-2009, 09:21 AM

I have mine at 36 psi for street use. The owners manual suggets 36 for normal loads up to 100 Mph, with 38 for normal loads at speeds in excess of 100 Mph. For speeds greater than 100 Mph and three passengers with luggage in the trunk - up to 42 in the rear tires.

lib · 05-30-2009, 09:29 PM

I assumed someone would give you good track pressures by now. This won't be as much help as you'd like but it's better than nothing:

I didn't track my pressures when I had the RFTs at a real track but I started with 34 on each corner. It felt good for 2/3 of the session but by the end the tires started to get a little slippery. I know the pressures went much higher than ideal but I sadly didn't track pressures that day so I can't give you any useful values.

The RTF pressures I do know offhand were from my last autocross. It's definitely different than a track day but your friend may be able to use it for a point of reference. I was trying to target ~37psi front, 35psi rear hot. Started at 34psi on all 4 corners. After 4 runs in a 30 car heat (ambient ~78, surface concrete slab, ~60sec course) the fronts gained 8psi and the rears gained 4psi. Part of the large psi gain on the front came from two corners I kept screwing up and severely understeering through.

slamako · 05-30-2009, 10:04 PM

Thanks for the feedback lib and Lester. I'll make sure I record how the tires progress tomorrow.

RedTRex · 06-03-2009, 08:11 AM

FWIW - 41F/36R an excellent setup, bring a water sprayer, and drop your pressures to the 41/36 after each run as they get hot.

05-30-2009, 09:05 AM	#1
slamako Metal cutter 15 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 135i 08 6MT Sed Red Met. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ontario Canada iTrader: (0)	Bridgestone RFT tire pressures Hi everybody, I will be going to my first open track day event tomorrow and thankfully, a good friend of mine, a SCCA instructor, will be accompanying me. He's helping me come prepared for the track day, which is huge help. One question that came up is baseline tire pressure people have used with the RFT. My car uses the Bridgestone RFT's (that came with the car) and was wondering what tire pressures people have used with these tires. BTW-my car is bone stock. Any insight from any out there would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any feedback provided. Slamako
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05-30-2009, 09:21 AM	#2
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	I have mine at 36 psi for street use. The owners manual suggets 36 for normal loads up to 100 Mph, with 38 for normal loads at speeds in excess of 100 Mph. For speeds greater than 100 Mph and three passengers with luggage in the trunk - up to 42 in the rear tires.
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05-30-2009, 09:29 PM	#3
lib Major 141 Rep 1,401 Posts Drives: <This space for rent> Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: ATX iTrader: (0)	I assumed someone would give you good track pressures by now. This won't be as much help as you'd like but it's better than nothing: I didn't track my pressures when I had the RFTs at a real track but I started with 34 on each corner. It felt good for 2/3 of the session but by the end the tires started to get a little slippery. I know the pressures went much higher than ideal but I sadly didn't track pressures that day so I can't give you any useful values. The RTF pressures I do know offhand were from my last autocross. It's definitely different than a track day but your friend may be able to use it for a point of reference. I was trying to target ~37psi front, 35psi rear hot. Started at 34psi on all 4 corners. After 4 runs in a 30 car heat (ambient ~78, surface concrete slab, ~60sec course) the fronts gained 8psi and the rears gained 4psi. Part of the large psi gain on the front came from two corners I kept screwing up and severely understeering through.
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05-30-2009, 10:04 PM	#4
slamako Metal cutter 15 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 135i 08 6MT Sed Red Met. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ontario Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the feedback lib and Lester. I'll make sure I record how the tires progress tomorrow.
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06-03-2009, 08:11 AM	#5
RedTRex Digital Cerebrum 18 Rep 408 Posts Drives: 05 330ci ZHP Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (4) Garage List 2005 BMW 330ci [0.00]	FWIW - 41F/36R an excellent setup, bring a water sprayer, and drop your pressures to the 41/36 after each run as they get hot.
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