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How to find the right PSI for your go kart tire and track

Updated: Oct 22

Finding the best tire pressures for a go kart can be difficult. It depends on many factors, all of which we will cover. Factors include air temperature, weather conditions, tire compound/durometer, track length, track surface, preferred driving style, number of left and right turns, and kart weight.



Below, we will discuss how each factor contributes to finding your ideal PSI for sprint, road, and endurance racing (plus rental track owners). We will also provide insights on how to identify whether you are going in the right or wrong direction with your testing, based on wear patterns and kart performance.


Quick note:

PSI = Pounds per Square Inch (the unit used to measure tire pressures).


Infographic of a 5-step go-kart tire PSI loop. Shows tire image, details on racer and track goals. Conditions: short/long tracks, temperature.

What you will need

  1. Tire pressure gauge

  2. Logbook (digital or paper and pen)

  3. Laser thermometer ($10-20 on Amazon)

  4. A weather app


Testing procedure

  1. Note the track/air temperatures

  2. Record your cold pressures and temps in the shade

  3. Run a warm-up lap, followed by two or three hot laps

  4. Pull in. Record your pressures and hot temps

  5. Make 0.5 PSI adjustments

  6. Repeat until happy


Testing for Track owners (click to read)

If you run a rental fleet, your goal shifts from peak grip to long life and consistent feel. You want each kart to drive the same every session.


To find that range:

  1. Pick five karts for a control test.

  2. Set all four tires to the same cold PSI.

  3. Run for twenty minutes under normal use.

  4. Check hot pressures immediately and log the spread.


Starting PSI varies greatly. Some tracks use as low as 15 PSI, while others can reach up to 60 PSI for concession tires.


Your best range will show a difference of less than 2 PSI across tires and karts. If one tire is significantly higher than the others, rotate the tires or check for leaks.


A track in Florida used this method and extended tire life by a quarter while keeping lap times within one second across all rentals. Consistency builds trust and saves money.


How will I know if I am going in the right direction?

What you are looking for:

  • Equal hot pressures in all tires

  • Even wear patterns

  • Improved lap times

Bonus points if you gear towards your preferred driving style (understeer or oversteer)


What cold PSI do I start at, and where do I end?

Racing karts and rental karts have different start and end points. Always start and end with your tire manufacturer’s recommendations. After much research, here are our recommendations.


Racing karts starting (cold) and ending (hot) PSI

Name

Cold PSI

Hot PSI

DeCuzzi 4-SL

7-9

10-12

DeCuzzi 5

8-10

10-13

DeCuzzi 5-L

11-13

13-15

MG Yellow

8-10

10-12

MG Red

12-15

15-18

Vega White

8-10

11-12

LeCont Prime Soft

8-10

10-12

LeCont Prime Medium

8-10

11-12.5

Hoosier R60

10-14

14-18


Factors to consider (click to read)

As stated before, these are the factors that can affect what PSI you start and end with. Air temperature, weather conditions, tire compound/durometer, track length, preferred driving style, number of left and right turns, track surface, and kart weight.


Air temperature/weather

Note that you may have to change PSI multiple times a day. A cold early morning may start at 8 PSI, but needs to be lowered by 1 PSI by midday due to increased air temperature.

  • The hotter the day, the lower the starting PSI.

  • The colder the day, the higher the starting PSI.

  • Aim for your hot PSI sweet spot

  • General rule: + or - 0.5 PSI per 10 degrees farenheight


Tire compound/durometer

Soft rubber heats up quickly and provides grip with little effort, so it typically runs at lower pressures. Hard rubber needs higher cold pressures to come alive and to keep from rolling.

  • Softer tires start lower

  • Harder tires start higher


Track length (Short vs Long. Sprint vs Road)

Long straights cool tires. Start a bit higher on a long road course. Short, busy sprint tracks keep heat in the tire, so start lower to avoid overheating.

  • Long road courses. Start higher

  • Short sprint tracks. Start lower


Track Surface. Indoor vs Outdoor. Concrete vs Appoxy

As a general rule, the more slippery the track, the higher the starting PSI.

  • +0.5 to +1 PSI. Epoxy-coated, polished concrete

  • 0 to +0.5 PSI. Smooth or slightly aged Asphalt

  • -0.5 to -1 PSI - Rubbered in asphalt


Number of left and right turns

Camber and caster would have a greater effect on this factor, but in terms of PSI, there is still something you can do. In essence, if the track has far more right hand turns, it might be a good idea to lower the left side PSI by 0.1 or 0.2.

  • More rights turns, lower left side by 0.1 to 0.2 PSI

  • More left turns, lower right side by 0.1 to 0.2 PSI

  • Matters more on short, tight, sprint tracks


Kart weight

Heavy karts need more air for shape and bead security. This is why rental programs sit at forty to sixty and racing sits near ten to fifteen hot. It is two different games.

  • Heavier = more air

  • Lighter = less air


Driving style

Tire pressure is your fastest tool to nudge balance without touching the chassis. Stay within the hot PSI range; generally, adding more PSI to the rear will induce more rear sliding. More PSI in the front will cause push.

  • Want oversteer (sliding): add more PSI to the rears

  • Want understeer (push): add more PSI to the fronts



Lastly, why does it all matter?

A 1 PSI difference could increase tire circumference by around 0.05 to 0.10 inches. Now that may not seem like a lot, but that 0.1-inch increase over the course of a 45-minute race at VIR would be the equivalent of dragging that one tire for nearly 700 feet.


If your tire pressures are too high:

  • Faster straight-line speed

  • Oversteer in the corners

  • Smaller contact patch (center of tire wears faster)

  • Lap times start off quick, but fade fast

  • Ride is harsh (more chatter on curbs and rubbered sections)

  • Potential blistering


If your tire pressures are too low:

  • Better traction in corners

  • Slower straight line speeds

  • Larger contact patch (sides of tire wear faster).

  • Hoping instead of sliding

  • Potential to de-bead


Short Overview (TLDR)

Testing

  1. Record cold pressures and temps

    Racing karts starting PSI: 7-15

  2. Run a few laps. Record hot pressures and temps

    Racing karts ending PSI: 10-18

  3. Make minor 0.5 PSI adjustments

  4. Repeat until happy


Factors

  1. Cold weather, add air. Hot weather, take some air out

  2. Soft tires like lower pressures. Hard tires like higher pressures

  3. Short sprint tracks start at lower PSI. Long road courses start at higher PSI

  4. Slippery surfaces? Start with higher PSI. Sticky track? Start with less PSI

  5. More right turns than left? Reduce left side PSI by 0.1. Matters for short tracks.

  6. Heavier karts want more PSI. Lighter Karts want less.

  7. Front end pushes (understeer)? Increase rear PSI. Rear slides too much (oversteer)? Reduce rear PSI


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