22" Recommended Tire Pressure

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

MissyRoseTahoo

TYF Newbie
Joined
Mar 2, 2024
Posts
14
Reaction score
5
Moving to a set of 285-45-22 Pirelli AS Plus 3’s on Friday (replacing my 275-55-20’s). What tire pressure does everyone recommend on the 285-45-22’s whose ride came through from the factory with 20's…?

Since my Tahoe is a 2013 that came with 20’s, not sure if there is a difference on the door sticker for those that came through in later years with 22’s.

I run between 35-37, currently, on my 20’s here in FL, and after driving in the heat, they climb to 37-39.

Currently and with the 20’s, I prefer a stiffer sidewall vs. the alternative—too low and the tires seem to roll, especially on the highway.

I’m assuming, but not 100% sure, I will need to go with a higher PSI because of the lower profile and wanted to ask what everyone may be running, if you now have a 285-45-22 set-up.
 

buckwild27

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2024
Posts
204
Reaction score
404
I run 38 psi cold in my 22's. Best way to know you're running the right psi for your vehicle is to find an empty flat parking lot.
Just make sure there aren't a lot of cracks, bumps or pot holes in the ground.

Air your tires up to maximum inflation. This should be marked on the side of your tires.

Next, draw a thick, straight line across the width of the tire. You’ll want to “chalk” the tread blocks all the way across (in a straight line) including the outer lugs. You may need to chalk two rows to get a good covering.

Now drive your vehicle in a straight line forward for about one complete car length.

Get out and inspect the chalk mark left on the ground and on the tire. A tire with the proper air pressure should press the chalk line evenly across the ground. This means you'll see the entire chalk line imprinted on the ground. An over-inflated tire will bulge (or crown) and only the center of the line will touch and be left on the ground. In this case you will only see a small portion of line left on the ground. Since you are aired to Max inflation, then this is what you should see.

Let out about 3lbs of air, and repeat this process.

As you test your tire this way you will start to see a more complete line of chalk on the ground. You will have to keep letting air out until you see a complete line of chalk on the ground.

If you're tire is underinflated, you'll see only the sides of the lines since the middle of the tire is not making contact with the ground.

You will need to keep adjusting your tire's air pressure according to the chalk test results until you find the pressure that is satisfactory to you. Keep in mind that you will need to do this test on both the front and rear tires to find the proper inflation for both which may or may not be the same. Record this information and keep it in your vehicle for future reference. As your tires wear you may need to perform this test again to confirm proper PSI.
 

Joseph Garcia

Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
7,080
Reaction score
9,456
Call your local dealer and ask them what the GM recommended tire pressure is for trucks using that 22" tire size as OEM equipment.
 

homesick

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2018
Posts
743
Reaction score
1,441
Google probably knows, too.

My '07 Escalade's 22s take 35 psi, per the decal.

joe
 
OP
OP
MissyRoseTahoo

MissyRoseTahoo

TYF Newbie
Joined
Mar 2, 2024
Posts
14
Reaction score
5
Thanks, everyone...

The reason I asked is that the stickers don't always line up with what is best/optimal, in reality...

Thought, maybe, a lower profile tire would need more PSI...sounds similar to the 20's...
 

MWR Denali

Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Posts
31
Reaction score
19
My factory 22" wheels (which I bought over the parts counter) came with a supplemental door jamb sticker and I'm 99% sure it states 34psi. Will confirm.
 

steiny93

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2021
Posts
411
Reaction score
350
I run 38 psi cold in my 22's. Best way to know you're running the right psi for your vehicle is to find an empty flat parking lot.
Just make sure there aren't a lot of cracks, bumps or pot holes in the ground.

Air your tires up to maximum inflation. This should be marked on the side of your tires.

Next, draw a thick, straight line across the width of the tire. You’ll want to “chalk” the tread blocks all the way across (in a straight line) including the outer lugs. You may need to chalk two rows to get a good covering.

Now drive your vehicle in a straight line forward for about one complete car length.

Get out and inspect the chalk mark left on the ground and on the tire. A tire with the proper air pressure should press the chalk line evenly across the ground. This means you'll see the entire chalk line imprinted on the ground. An over-inflated tire will bulge (or crown) and only the center of the line will touch and be left on the ground. In this case you will only see a small portion of line left on the ground. Since you are aired to Max inflation, then this is what you should see.

Let out about 3lbs of air, and repeat this process.

As you test your tire this way you will start to see a more complete line of chalk on the ground. You will have to keep letting air out until you see a complete line of chalk on the ground.

If you're tire is underinflated, you'll see only the sides of the lines since the middle of the tire is not making contact with the ground.

You will need to keep adjusting your tire's air pressure according to the chalk test results until you find the pressure that is satisfactory to you. Keep in mind that you will need to do this test on both the front and rear tires to find the proper inflation for both which may or may not be the same. Record this information and keep it in your vehicle for future reference. As your tires wear you may need to perform this test again to confirm proper PSI.
do this, best way to ensure you are contacting the entire tire
 

petethepug

Michael
Joined
May 4, 2016
Posts
2,835
Reaction score
3,027
Location
SoCal
I run my 22’s @ 39# warm 285/45/22. Any lower and I wear the outside edges of the tires quicker than the center.

If you have AWD shop for an exact match used tire on eBay used tires. They’re about 50-$60 shipped. If you damaged a tire that’s irreparable you can install and run the used tire until the other three wear out.

Tire shops favorite dilemma is telling owners of AWD vehicles they have to replace all four tires because any new (larger circumference) tire added to the used tires will spin the diff and damage it. That same shop will also tell you they only install new tires, not even your own previously removed tires.

I buy all my tires online and have my Indi tech install them. Both the new and used. America’s Tire / Discount Tires no longer had a stranglehold on my AWD Esky or Audi anymore.
 

B-train

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2022
Posts
2,146
Reaction score
3,679
I keep mine about 36 - 38 psi. That ensures they ride like shit after the tires have some miles on them, and ruin expensive Z95 struts in a timely fashion. If you have nice, smooth, roads then enjoy your wheels. I can't wait to ditch the 22 inch for 20 or 18. They look nice, corner well, but the ride sucks.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
131,208
Posts
1,846,940
Members
95,206
Latest member
Malachismith
Top