Stock 2003 Liberty Sport.

Tires: 235/70/r16s

Inside the glove box it says the tires should be inflated to 33-36 psi. My tires sidewalls says the maximum PSI is 44 PSI. which is most important, and what is optimal for highway driving? somewhere in between? say 36-38 psi or should I stick to what the glovebox says? Do I gain better mileage with lower psi or with higher and why is there such a huge difference in the two suggested amounts...I realize this size tire could be on other vehicles with a different weight ratios.. so I understand why you should go with whats recommended in the glovebox...but if my tires can take a bit more pressure, what benefits or harm could I do going above 33-36 psi like the KJ states?

In a nutshell, whats my optimum psi for 80-90% highway driving??? sorry for such a newbie question...this is my first KJ.

The only harm you are going to do if you go over 33-36psi is wear the center off the tires faster(unless hauling a heavy load) and getting a harsher ride.Never exceed the tires max psi rating,or.........(remember the Firestone and Exploder episodes?)Oh and if you still have the SRA'a or ST's on the KJ you will also loose some wet traction capibility which they don't have alot of anyways.

thanks man....no it doesnt have the STs on it...the place I bought it used had a brand new set of ContiTrac tires on it. it does have the ST spare though. I would prefer some other tires and am looking into putting on 245/70/R16s in a good tire...what would you recommend in those? Bare in mind I do very little wheeling and my normal driving is 80-90% highway? Should I even consider a larger tire doing mostly highway driving?

what do you think of the continental contitracs? crap or decent for general use? they did real well this winter when they were brand new. i was driving right around other SUVs in 4x4 when they were sliding and stranded all over the road...we had a horrible winter here.


btw, I am going to leave it at the 33 psi like you suggest....I would never inflate to max pressure anyhow, was just wondering if somewhere in between was beneficial or detrimental.

Not real familair with those tires,or anything less then a MT tire for that fact.For mostly highway driving I wouldn't recommend anything more aggresive then a A/T,but that maybe to much still,I've heard good things about the GoodYear Silent Armor's,but that's about all I know.

Pote, I have the Wrangler ST's stock and I run 35 psi in my tires. I get a little better gas mileage with more air. A little bumpier sometimes but I like the feel of the fuller tire instead of a squishy feel. I drive mostly highway and in 80-90 degree weather.

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2005 Liberty Sport 4X2 V6 3.7L Stone White 100% Stock

Running the higher PSI will allow less rolling resistance and bump your MPG slightly. Running at the OEM spec offers a better ride and probably more even tread wear.

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02 Liberty Limited
Silver Outside & Taupe Inside
Heated Seats, Sunroof & Infinity speakers
USA Spec I-Pod adaptor, Mopar Sub, Garmin GPS
Tow Package, Select-Trac
Rock Rails, Tow Hooks

Generally 17"s have 44 max psi. I run them 36-38 cold and try not to go above 40 when hot. It rides nice.
Afterall, max is 44psi

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NYC L.O.S.T.# 022174 -
Check out my CarDomain

I didn't run that style of tire but years ago I had Conti's on a 260 Z , not the same type or style of driving we do with our KJ's but from that one experience I was impressed and very pleased with the Conti's. Now I have Dunlope Rover A/T's 235/70-16 and like them very much. Mine came used with Good Year Fotura's same size they were OK but a little disappointing in the snow last winter. Only delt with wet pavement but the A/T's are nice. I haven't tried off roading yet I want to get some armor and Super sliders first. BTW welcome to L.O.S.T. and have fun with your Jeep

I hate continental/General tires with a passion. Every vehicle I've driven with em, after the car sits for 2 or 3 hours, it shakes at moderate speeds because they flatspot in that time. My dad's Colorado does it, my grampa's buick does it, and every Escape/Mercury whateveritis I've driven with the stock continentals (which I'm betting were where those tires came from, they weren't really brand new) did it. Granted, it goes away after a few miles, but it's still irritating as hell.

Other than that, I've never really put any hard miles on em in inclement weather or anything, so aside from the ContiShake, I can't speak much on them.

oh, by the way...if your tires are the same size and load range as what the doorjamb says, run the pressure the doorjamb says. it's MAXIMUM pressure on the sidewall, not RECOMMENDED pressure.

thanks for all the replies....actually the Conti's did real well as brand new this past winter...however, as of late, I'm getting a bit of loss of traction...going around corners, dry pavement...just a bit of loss. so if you could buy only one AT for mostly highway driving (235/70r16 OR 245/70/r16) what would it be?