The technology behind BFGoodrich g-Force tires is the result of decades of motorsports experience and competitive research. We are confident that these tires will provide the exceptional cornering and grip that you have come to expect from BFGoodrich Tires.
This guide offers a solid foundation for tuning your suspension and tires so they work together at the highest level. However, this general information doesn’t address every possible track condition, car setup, or unique driver preference.
As always, firsthand experience and data acquisition are invaluable to tuning your setup for optimum performance.
Tire Pressures
Determining the ideal tire pressure involves finding the optimum balance between grip, vertical stiffness and lateral stiffness from the tire as it relates to your vehicle setup.
A logical tuning approach would be to target pressures toward the middle of the recommended range and adjust target hot pressures based on vehicle, track conditions and your driving style. Vehicle balance can be somewhat adjusted by varying hot tire pressures.
The recommended hot pressure range for all tires in the BFGoodrich g-Force family should be in the 32-44 psi range.
In general, set cold pressures 5-7 psi below target hot pressures (not to go below 28 psi). When in doubt, err on the high side of target hot pressures since lowering pressure is quicker and easier than raising it. Plus, overestimating pressure increase can lead to running on underinflated tires, which could be a safety concern. Keep in mind that vehicle balance can be impacted by varying hot pressures.
The cold pressure required to get the desired hot pressure is dependent on variables such as humidity level inside the tire (ex: compressed air versus nitrogen), vehicle setup, track layout, ambient and track temperatures, and your driving style. If you have track experience with your vehicle and a reliable air pressure gauge, you probably have a good idea how much pressure increase you’ll see.
For track lapping sessions, it is within reason to expect 5-7psi increase in pressure throughout the session. For autocross sessions, it is reasonable to expect 1-4psi increase in pressure throughout the session.
These are very generalized expectations, as the pressure change can be greatly impacted by vehicle load, camber, driving style, track layout, surface, etc. — you get the point.
TRACK USE — GENERAL GUIDELINES
COLD TIRES
Never use inflation pressure below 1.9 bar (28 psi) cold
To optimize the track longevity of BFGoodrich tires, BFGoodrich strongly recommends a minimum inflation pressure between 2.0 bar (29 psi) and 2.4 bar (35 psi)
HOT TIRES
The best operating pressure of BFGoodrich tires is between 2.2 bar (32 psi) and 3.0 bar (44 psi) hot, according to vehicle and track conditions.
Monitor tire pressures during the day to ensure that pressures do not exceed the maximum pressure marked on the sidewall of the tire.
Tire pressure performance impact
Performance | Pressure Increase + | Pressure Decrease - |
Initial Response | Faster | Slower |
Firmness | Increased | Decreased |
Spring Rate | Increased | Decreased |
Contact Patch | Slightly Smaller | Slightly Larger |
Tire “roll over” | Less | More |
Time to “come in” | Faster | Slower |
Beyond Tire Pressures
Your new BFGoodrich g-Force tires offer a level of control that can mask certain suspension shortcomings. Be careful not to use tire pressure adjustments as a quick fix for more involved setup issues — particularly if your vehicle and/or its suspension has been heavily modified. To get the most out of your tires, you’ll want to make vehicle adjustments first, then use tire pressures only to fine-tune for optimum overall balance.
In general, we recommend that front camber be in the -2° to -3.5° range, and that rear camber be in the -1° to -2.5° range. If a track has significantly more turns in one direction than the other, it might be necessary to have different camber settings on the left and right sides of the vehicle to optimize performance.
For “rovals” (road courses inside banked ovals where the road course also uses the banking) the front camber should be in the -1° to -2.5° range with rear camber in the -0.5° to -1.25° range. Keep in mind that higher hot pressures should be used when running on high banked tracks.
ALIGNMENT — CAMBER
Adjusting camber will contribute to higher cornering speeds and increased grip through maximizing the tires footprint under lateral load while also preventing excessive wear/fatigue to the outer shoulder.
Collecting Data
On most road courses, a minimum of six hot laps should be run before considering any changes based on temperature and pressure readings. This is because it takes a certain amount of “energy input” for tire pressures and tread temperatures to stabilize. Taking readings before the tires have reached stable operating conditions is not recommended and may lead you to miss the proper setup.
After a hot lap session, temperatures should be taken at three points across the tire with a contact probe pyrometer; start at the inside shoulder of the tire, move to the center, then finish at the outer shoulder. Readings on the outboard sections of the tire should be taken about 1.5” from the shoulder. Taking temperatures too close to the “corner” of the shoulder will give an inaccurate reading.
Due to heat dissipation, time plays a critical role in collecting the most accurate data. It is recommended that you begin with the outside tires and be sure to focus on the tread temperatures first.
We have provided a typical data acquisition sheet for your convenience with a blank form on the reverse side. Please feel free to make copies and use as needed.
Safety Considerations
Purchasing from the BFGoodrich g-Force family of tires proves that you’re not inclined to make bad decisions.
Hopefully, this manual will provide ample information for making smart choices at the track. That being said, the quest for speed has been known to cloud even the best judgment.
Please observe these important safety warnings:
Never race on an underinflated tire.
We strongly discourage “soaking” of tires. It can be hazardous to the person soaking the tires, the environment, and the tire itself. The additional complexity and components in radial tires put the product at risk when solvents are used in an attempt to “soften” the tread area of the tire.
Always inspect each tire thoroughly prior to and immediately following each use.
View all our articles
Chapter 1 - Responsibility & Driver Safety
Chapter 2 - Technique
Chapter 3 - Vehicle Dynamics
Chapter 4 - Handling Characteristics & Cornering
Chapter 5 - The Performance Driver’s Mindset
Chapter 6 - Putting It All Together
Chapter 7 - Let’s Drive
Chapter 8 - The g-Force™ Family Control Manual