Tire pressure?

[Archosman]

What should I be running my tires at? I've had my car serviced at 2 different places and had wildly different rates. One was at 35psi, another at 44psi. I've got Traction T/A radials P215/60 r16 94h M+S.

[icqboy51]

i believe the owners manual tell you.

if not check the side of door. usually its like 32psi (the tire wall will also tell you the max pressure the tire can withstand).

[Archosman]

Originally Posted by icqboy51

(the tire wall will also tell you the max pressure the tire can withstand).

44psi

[zppeacock]

at my toyota dealer we recommend 35psi

[Mike Gerber]

I have the same BF Goodrich Traction TA tires as you do on my 94 Camry. I have the 195-70 HR14 size, since it's a 4 cylinder 5SFE engine. I run 34 PSI. To me that's a compromise for good handling, good ride and good fuel mileage. 44 PSI is way to high. Your ride will be very harsh at that PSI.

As a side note, be sure to check and inflate your tires when the car is morning cold. Driving the car inscreases the heat inside the tire and therefore the tire pressure.

Mike

[Archosman]

Appreciate it. After the 44psi debacle I noticed my car was not riding correctly. Took the gamble and let out the excess to 35psi.

[BMR]

Is the 44 psi recommendation for the maximum load? Often there are two set of pressures recommended, one for maximum load and the other for a normal load.

[Archosman]

Maximum...

[Gellenole]

^^ what do you mean by maximum load? -- anyway, I go 38 PSI all the time, my PSI on the door rates 29 for some reason, but 38 is a good compromise, any lower and I feel like my wheels drag.

[BMR]

Originally Posted by Gellenole

^^ what do you mean by maximum load?

On my '92 Camry there's a sticker on the inside of the glove box door that gives two tire pressure recommendations. At the "vehicle weight capacity" of 900 lbs, they recommend 32 psi. For a "normal load" of 4 passengers it's 26 psi.

[Dave's]

Tires have a maximum inflation value which varies depending upon construction, etc. Car manufacturers have a recommended pressure they feel works best for that car and sometimes two, one for normal conditions and one if it is loaded heavily (such as a full trunk and 4-5 people). Usually this pressure is less than the max pressure rating of the tire. More pressure can result in a harsher ride and perhaps worse handling but can increase gas mileage. Less pressure can result in overheating of the tire and thus failure. Pressure also affects tire wear with higher pressure wearing the center tread and low pressure wearing the outer edges more. I personally prefer to keep mine somewhere in between the recommended pressure and the max rated pressure. For instance, if the car manual says 29psi and the tire says max is 44psi, I would fill it to about 34psi, but that's just me. (Tire pressures should always be set with the tire cold. Heat from driving can increase pressure 4-8psi.) FWIW IMHO
BTW, none of this applies to 'donut' spares which need much higher pressure regardless of the car's recommended pressure. ALWAYS follow the 'baby' spare required pressure.

[Venom_5]

go by whats on the door if youre using factory-sized tires

the reading on the sidewall is telling you the max cold psi, not what it should be set to ... most passenger cars are gonna be somewhere between 30-35 recommended on the sticker inside the door, as well as the owners manual, etc.