Regarding Loren's comments, I have an 84 westy and run my 185R14 D
rated Hankooks at close to the 90 westy tire pressure
recommendation.  Why did VW increase the tire pressure recommendation
in later models?  Any reason I should not run higher pressures (the
tire max is 65psi) than what is on the door sticker?

Jim K
84 westy aka Scamagon
SF CA

>Date:    Tue, 3 Oct 2006 13:33:40 -0700
>From:    Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
>Subject: Re: Tire pressures
>
>RE: The VW factory recommended pressures are for a tire that is no longer
>available.
>
>I think that this is a common assumption but essentially wrong.  The OEM
>tires are specified in terms of size and load rating.  In the case of the
>205/70 R 14 the load rating is 97.  Any tire of that size and load rating
>(or higher) made today should be little or no different from those on the
>market at the time the Vanagon was being made.
>It is true that there have been improvements in rubber compound, tread
>design and better wear and reliability in the last 20 years, but the specs
>remain the same.
>
>Based on my experience (and experimenting) with 185R14 tires on my '90 Westy
>I've found very even wear and very good ride and handling at the factory
>recommended pressure of 43 front, 53 rear.  I would assume that I'd get the
>same kind of results if running the 205/70 R14 at the factory pressures of
>30 front, 40 rear.
>
>BTW, VW increased the recommended pressure over the years, earlier models
>had lower recommended pressure on the door sticker.