LO206 Tire Pressure Guide: Managing Cold vs. Hot Growth for Consistent Grip

LO206 Tire Pressure Guide: Managing Cold vs. Hot Growth for Consistent Grip

One of the biggest variables in LO206 kart handling is tire pressure management. Many racers set a "cold" pressure in the pits but fail to account for how much that pressure rises dramatically during a race. This guide explains how to manage tire pressure growth to ensure your kart handles consistently from lap 1 to the checkered flag.

Picture of two gauges, one is cold that indicates 12.0 psi cold, the other is hot that says 17.5 psi. Text indicating it is a HOW TO GUIDE.

The "Lap Time Penalty" of Missing the Window

This chart illustrates the relative time loss (penalty) caused by running outside the optimal hot pressure window. Longer bar = Slower lap time.

Too Low (Sluggish) Kart feels heavy, won't rotate, drags engine down on exit.
+0.4s to +0.6s Loss
Target Window (The Goal) Maximum contact patch. Kart rotates freely with high grip.
0.0s Baseline Fastest Lap
Too High ("Ice") Tire balloons. Massive loss of rear grip. Sliding everywhere.
+0.7s to +1.0s+ Loss

Quick answer: Hot Pressure is What Matters

Your "cold" tire pressure is just a starting guess. The goal is to achieve the ideal "hot" operating pressure while on track. Kart tires typically gain 2 to 5 PSI during a run due to heat. You must measure pressures immediately upon exiting the track to know your true setup and adjust your cold starting point accordingly.

Step 1: Understand Tire Pressure Growth

Friction between the tire and the track surface creates heat. This heat transfers to the air inside the tire, causing it to expand and increase pressure.

If you aim for 15 PSI on the track, you cannot set them to 15 PSI in the pits. You might need to start at 11 or 12 PSI cold so they "grow" into the target 15 PSI hot. If you start too high, the tires will overheat, balloon up, and you will lose grip halfway through the race (often feeling like you are driving on ice).

Step 2: Set a Consistent Cold Baseline

To gather useful data, your starting point must be consistent. Before your first practice session:

  • Set all four tires to a baseline cold pressure recommended for your specific tire compound and track condition (e.g., 12 PSI all around as a starting point).
  • Ensure the tires are out of direct sunlight before setting cold pressures. One tire sitting in the sun will read falsely high compared to the others.
  • Use a high-quality, calibrated tire gauge.

Step 3: The Golden Rule – Measure Hot Immediately

This is the most crucial step that many racers skip. As soon as the kart comes off the track and stops in the pits, measure and write down the hot pressures immediately.

Do not wait 5 minutes for the driver to get out and take their helmet off. Every second the kart sits still, the tires are cooling down, and your data is becoming less accurate. You need to know exactly what the pressure was during the laps you just ran.

Step 4: Calculate Growth and Adjust

Now you have your data. Let's say you started at 12 PSI cold, and came off immediately at 16 PSI hot. Your tire "growth" was 4 PSI.

  • Did the kart handle well? If yes, your target HOT pressure is 16 PSI. As the day warms up, you may need to lower your COLD starting pressure to 11.5 PSI to still hit that 16 PSI hot target.
  • Did the kart get loose/greasy late in the run? Your tires likely got too hot and over-pressured. If you came off at 18 PSI hot, try lowering your next cold start by 2 PSI to aim for a lower hot target.

We have a printable chart to help visualize this growth here: LO206 Tire Growth Hot vs Cold Chart.

Step 5: Factor in Driving Style

Be aware that the driver is a major variable. An aggressive driver who slides the kart frequently will generate more heat (and therefore more pressure growth) than a very smooth driver.

Two drivers on the same chassis and same tire might need different cold starting pressures to achieve the exact same hot operating pressures.

Tire Pressure FAQ

What is the best tire pressure for LO206?

There is no single magic number. It depends entirely on the specific tire manufacturer compound you are required to run, the track surface grip level, and ambient temperature. However, a typical operating "hot" range for many common hard-compound kart tires is often between 14 PSI and 18 PSI. You must test to find what your specific tire likes.

How much does tire pressure usually increase during a race?

On a typical sprint kart track, expect a growth of 2 to 4 PSI from cold to hot. On very hot days, abrasive tracks, or with aggressive driving, growth can exceed 5 PSI. On cold days or wet tracks, growth will be minimal.

Should I bleed air out between sessions if they are hot?

Yes. If you aimed for 16 PSI hot, but came off the track at 19 PSI hot, you should immediately bleed them down to your target of 16 PSI while they are still hot before the next session. Just remember that your "cold" starting pressure for the *following* day will now be lower.

Disclaimer: Tire pressure settings are highly dependent on specific track conditions and tire manufacturer recommendations. Always test and use data to make decisions. Use the SwiftKarting resources hub for data tracking tools: LO206 Resources & Downloads .

Related LO206 Guides and Data Tools

Managing tire pressure is just one aspect of using data to go faster. SwiftKarting offers various charts and guides to help you make informed decisions rather than guessing at setup.

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