What Tyre Pressure Do You Run?

[sonic113]

I run 31 if filling from cold and 33 from hot.

is that 31 on front and rear when cold or just the front?

[south_bound]

I'm with FOCA on this and run at 39-40psi front and back. The tyres give max pressure ratings on their side walls - my Michelins state max 51psi so I am nowhere near that limit. I notice a positive effect on handling and mpg at these pressures compared with recommended values and noticed straight away when they were reduced by the garage after a service. It doesn't affect wear as I still get more than 50k miles per set.

[troy45]

For my standard wheels I run pressures as per the door sticker - 33psi front and 30psi rear, then 34 all round for the 19's.

Expect it'll be the extra weight of a diesel lump or 2.5T which dictates running higher pressures front than rear.

[Stoney871]

I know that there are many arguments for and against high/low pressure tyre levels in regards to fuel economy and speed but unfortunately the solid fact is that running tyres over a car manufacturers recommended pressure will result in loss of grip and an increased level of uneven wear and a higher risk of losing traction/stability resulting in the likelyhood of swapping ends and entering the pearly gates backwards with a surprised look on your face.

What the tyres are rated to is not the important factor, the recommended pressure for a car at different loading levels is.

http://www.drivers.com/article/354/

http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/learn-share/care-guide/ten-tyre-care-tips

[troy45]

Having driven a new car in monsoon conditions on the M6 and thinking it felt rather skittish, then finding the tyres were still at transit pressures I can vouch that 44psi all round in a Mk6 Fiesta isn't a good set of pressures to try running!

[sonic113]

I know that there are many arguments for and against high/low pressure tyre levels in regards to fuel economy and speed but unfortunately the solid fact is that running tyres over a car manufacturers recommended pressure will result in loss of grip and an increased level of uneven wear and a higher risk of losing traction/stability resulting in the likelyhood of swapping ends and entering the pearly gates backwards with a surprised look on your face.

What the tyres are rated to is not the important factor, the recommended pressure for a car at different loading levels is.

http://www.drivers.com/article/354/

http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/learn-share/care-guide/ten-tyre-care-tips

two good articles there clive.

they make sense and deserve a read through.

I think the best answer to any one looking advice on tyre psi is stick with the label on the door or the handbook as these are manufacture recommendations.

I think if you do this you cant go far wrong lol! I will be running mine from now on on the fully laden recommendations on the door label as Its me the wife and 2 kids and usually a boot full most of the time so for me personally I think this might be the best bet in terms of psi recommendations.

[Stoney871]

when our patrol cars were mostly Focus estates we were instructed to keep pressures at 31psi (cold) and the arches were marked to enforce this.

I have atrended collisions and crashes where tyre pressures were a contributing factor (but not necessarily a primary cause).

Pure fact is that excess pressure equals less tread surface on contact with the road and therefore less grip.

Unless you enjoy going south on a northbound cariageway I say stick to what the car companies say.