I was able to get a set of Bridgestone 12 inch BD 604 Light Truck tires from a guy here in Oklahoma who imported a pallet of them in with his last mini truck shipment (100 trucks). The tires have some great tread on them and are a Mud and Snow tire. My question is what air pressure would these little tire usually be run at? I currently have 34 psi in them but they still seem squishy and feel like they could use more air in the front tires. These tires do not have any markings on the side as to inflation pressures. I've been to some Bridgestone sites but couldn't find info on the tires. I just don't want to put in more pressure than they are designed to handle and thought maybe someone on here as an idea as to what psi they run them at. Thanks!
I would say your 34psi should not give a 'squishy' feel That should be adequate If there are no markings???do you at least know what ply they are? Are they even DOT approved?I have seen some Jap tires with nothing other than the tire size stamped on them-must be mass produced or second and third run cheapies? Not sure on the US laws ,but a non DOT tire is not legal to run on the road in Canada-all ATV tires have no DOT markings
Thanks Guys! That info helps me out. I looked in the translated Suzuki book and for tire presure it just said 2.0-2.6 but didn't know what that was and now I do. Thanks again. I figured with them being LT tires they could safely go higher than 34psi. Greg
My Mitsu gives the recommended pressures on the door plate. I forget the exact conversion, but it was somewhere around 30-35 psi. The front always looks more squatted than the back, with the extra weight up there. I know I could go higher, but I like a little "spring" in the sidewalls for potholes and such. I have 12in Bridgestone Blizzaks, btw. -Andy
Meesho, See here Note: *** This applies to Canada*** Since Japanese tires do not come with the inflation pressure on the sidewall as per above they are not legal on Canadian roads.
Wrong. It applies to any vehicle on the road in Canada. Go find a tire store to back up the idea that running JDM tires on the street is legal in Canada or better yet wait for accident to happen and let the lawyers decide the outcome. Just like the argument on composite JDM headlights being run on Canadian roads - It is against the MVSS which applies to all of Canada. With the amount of Kei trucks on the road in Canada don't you think a legit business would bring in a container load of JDM tires if they were legal in Canada? They don't because they are illegal - end of story.
Just got off the phone with transport canada: Tires imported seperately or sold seperately (retailed) must meet those guidelines above stated by Timetripper. NOW... here is the clarification from TC and where Timetripper is "Wrong": If you have a vehicle that is 15 years or older and was imported using the "15 year exemption clause", the vehicle does not need to comply with any Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) including tires. This means that if your vehicle came with Japanese spec tires, under federal regulations it is legal to operate a vehicle with said tires.
In BC it won't pass inspection with JDM tires on it, know that for a fact. And if you go by the above statement from your "TC" contact that would mean that it is ok to run JDM headlights blinding everyone coming your way??? Either way not worth trying to settle the matter in court if vehicle has been invloved in a accident. Why don't you post your question on IVOC.ca and see what response you get?
This is starting to remind me of the headlight issues awhile back.:frustration: I do OOP inspections as well as CVIP,and have personal contacts at Transport Canada.I also inspect accident scene vehicles for safety issues.Alot is interpretation,but I assure you if anything happens and non DOT tires are found at fault someones ass is in a sling. I never pass a vehicle that I would not feel safe letting my children walk out in front of. We can fight about this all day:frustration: What is most important is what is actually safe to operate on the road-Non DOT and tires with no markings are not safe in my opinion(actual expert witness) What do you feel is safe when driving your family around? I am done--lets talk about mini trucks,and not legalities
There's nothing to fight about... FACT: There is no Federal law making it illegal for you to use NON DOT tires on 15 year old exempted vehicles (goes for lights too). FACT: Provincial requirements vary from province-to-province. MYTH: JDM tires are not as safe as DOT rated tires. FACT: Making blanket statements without hard facts confuses newcomers to the hobby and creates misinformation.
As for tires yes you are correct it is a provincial matter but [big but] you at the whim of the inspector/ cop/ whoever if the tires do not have a load rating or inflation info on the sidewall. If the inspector or cop [if you get pulled over] does not like the fact that the tires don't have a Load Rating on them what are you going to do? Stand there and argue your point until you end up getting a ticket? If it's a truck that you sold and you put your customer in this position they won't be impressed Most Japanese LT tires do not have any info on the sidewall besides the tire size. If you want to continue the headlight discussion in a seperate post go a head but this is getting off topic here.
SO....now much air can I run in my non DOT stamped, made in Indonisia, Imported from Japan Bridgestone 604 M&S tires? Did find the label on the door piller. Couldn't read it as it was painted over I do like the tires a lot more than the Titans 489's. Not as noisy on the blacktop, corner better too..
The only info I could find out of Japan [and this applies to 145R12 6 Ply LT tire] was at the Honda website. In the '07 Honda Acty manual it states a 2.2 kg/cm2 [31.3 PSI] front/ and 3.5 kg/cm2 [49.8PSI] rear. Your mileage may vary If it does not say "LT" on the sidewall I wouldn't go as high as 50 PSI in the back
Thanks Timetripper! I'm going to bring the fronts up to 40 and see how it feels. I can imagine the truck with 49 in the rear and not be loaded with anything. Ye Ha that could turn into a bouncy ride. I know in my Dodge 2500 when I raise the rears to almost 70 and don't carry anything it can get interesting on some of the bumpy Okie roads.