What's your preferred tire pressure?
- Thread starter himemsys
- Start date
Generally speaking, my preferred tire pressure is the highest it can be while still having a "good square footprint".
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
35 always for me.
I tend to stick with the placard.
my placard says 38. and i can definitely feel a difference when it gets down to say 36.
I get the rationale for going a few above, esp in cold weather, but i have a thin margin to thread there...
the placard pressure is 38psi, my tire's max pressure is only 44psi... (Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring)
the next set i'm eyeballing the max is all the way up at 50. the snowfall the next couple days will tell me how soon i'll be changing tires.
my placard says 38. and i can definitely feel a difference when it gets down to say 36.
I get the rationale for going a few above, esp in cold weather, but i have a thin margin to thread there...
the placard pressure is 38psi, my tire's max pressure is only 44psi... (Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring)
the next set i'm eyeballing the max is all the way up at 50. the snowfall the next couple days will tell me how soon i'll be changing tires.
Placard +2.
It is enough to account for the temperature changes between daytime and nighttime and generally will not cause issues with tpms and ride quality.
It is enough to account for the temperature changes between daytime and nighttime and generally will not cause issues with tpms and ride quality.
On my FWD hatchbacks, driving on rough city streets, little or no load in back, I run placard front, 4 psi below placard rear.
On highway trips with suitcases I raise the back to placard.
On highway trips with suitcases I raise the back to placard.
I'm usually 2-3 psi over what the door sticker says on my vehicles.
Same here... placard for front/rear states 35 and I do 36-36.5 year round. On my 3rd set since the car was brand new and they have worn very evenly since day 1 and rotated every 8-9K miles on average, every other oil change. I'd much rather have a bit too much than too low, especially to offset cold weather bouts/TPMS.
Just a few tidbits to spice up the conversation:
Did you know that the max pressure listed on the sidewall of a tire is sort of arbitrary? Did you notice that there are only 3 values for SL Passenger car tires - 35, 44, and 51 psi? And only 2 for XL's - 41 and 50 psi?
I go into more detail here: Barry's Tire Tech
Did you know that regardless of the max pressure, the load table is the same?
Did you know that vehicle manufacturers do all their vehicle testing at the placard pressure regardless of what make and model of tire is on the vehicle? And so do the tire manufacturers?
And did you know that you can find some exceptions to the above, but those could be considered mistakes?
Did you know that the max pressure listed on the sidewall of a tire is sort of arbitrary? Did you notice that there are only 3 values for SL Passenger car tires - 35, 44, and 51 psi? And only 2 for XL's - 41 and 50 psi?
I go into more detail here: Barry's Tire Tech
Did you know that regardless of the max pressure, the load table is the same?
Did you know that vehicle manufacturers do all their vehicle testing at the placard pressure regardless of what make and model of tire is on the vehicle? And so do the tire manufacturers?
And did you know that you can find some exceptions to the above, but those could be considered mistakes?
36F 34R Tacoma, 32 FR Pilot.
I usually try for 2 pounds higher than the door placard. The trouble is that the streets here are so blasted and shattered, doing that can sometimes make for an unpleasant ride. I could leave it higher for "winter," except that even in winter (i.e., Jan. - March), the temperatures roll up and down: 55 one day, 75 2 days later.
Like many here, placard ~+2.
Hermann
Site Donor 2023
On the truck I have found 36psi to be optimal. Good compromise of ride comfort and firm enough for good steering feel.
The cycle get 36f 42 rear. I like them softer is the rear suspension is set soft (no preload), If I have the shock set for more aggressive riding, then they both get two psi extra.
The cycle get 36f 42 rear. I like them softer is the rear suspension is set soft (no preload), If I have the shock set for more aggressive riding, then they both get two psi extra.
Hermann
Site Donor 2023
When I had my Tacoma I always would run the rears with less pressure. IIRC the placard recommended 1 psi less. I ran my rears 3 psi less than the fronts. Found that it really reduced understeer and the front tires always looked square, right up to their demise thanks to the reduced stress on the outer edges.
I had em set to 40 at my October oil change. Hopefully it's still at 35.
