Tyre pressures...

[GoNz0]

nvm i will unsubscribe as another threads off topic.

[joshwa]

I think it's still on topic - talking about what tyre pressure people use in their tyres

I would put around 32 in when I was running 17" wheels, which is probably slightly above manufacturers recommendations for example.

On my 16" wheels - when I got a new tyre - the place filled it up to 40psi - so I thought I'd try all the tyres at the same (40psi) which is above the recommended - but also much lower than the maximum tyre pressure written on the sidewall (50psi)... and my MPG has improved dramatically! And now I'm matching the manufacturers MPG specs for my car, whereas before I was getting much less mpgs.

[Konan555]

My handbook tells me 26psi all round. From what I gather, a lot of older fords had reduced tyre pressures to try improve grip (and got themselves in a lot of trouble in the states with the Explorer, IIRC). I tend to think it's far too flat and run 30 in the summer and 28 in the winter. At suggested inflation, I found I was always killing the shoulders and side walls well before the centre tread looked like it'd been used. The car also gains a habit of gripping and gripping and then suddenly letting go, the extra pressure makes the thing a bit more 'readable' to the average driver.

Having found the Toyota Starlet somewhat....loose at the rear end, I instantly ironed out it's more funky handling traits by simply running the front tyres at recommended pressure for fully laden (the manual states that you can leave the tyres at fully laden when the car is unladen) and the rear's at unladen. Worked a treat.

So no, I don't stick exactly to the recommended.

It is worth noting that a few ESP systems get arsey when you mess about with tyres.

[kalniel]

I tend to think it's far too flat and run 30 in the summer and 28 in the winter.

Heh that's almost self regulating then - I find pressures drop by 2-4psi in winter just due to ambient temperature

For reference my manufacturer's recommendations are 32f 28r, but I run 34-36f and 28-30r, depending on load/type of journey. They tend to come back from service at 35f 30r.

One day I will drive a car that doesn't have a heavy engine over the front wheels...