Proper tire pressure

[SFM]

I think the recommended tire pressure on the door sticker is very high. I have 77,000 km (47,800 miles) on my car, 55,000 km (34,000 miles) of them were on the factory Continental SportContact 5 and 22,000 km (13,600 miles) on new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. My GT-Line came from factory with the 19" staggered setup, and I made sure to keep the cold tire pressure at 36 psi for both the front and rear tires, as recommended by the door sticker. Both the older tire set and the new one are worn mostly in the centre. The wheels were balanced as well.

The first set of tires was almost completely worn in the centre, while the sides had a decent amount of tread. I noticed the same thing on the newer set of tires as well. So I decided to lower the cold tire pressure to around 32-33 psi. What pressure do you have your tires at?

 

[Yeti]

I run my tire pressure higher, 38-40. Feels like she handles better with the pressure higher May just be the road surface in my area

 

[oddball]

That's just the typical recommended temp. You're in UAE? Surface temps are going to be much higher than the "typical" that they plan for.
You should always adjust pressure based on tire wear. Wearing in the center means overinflated, so try 30 to 32 psi and see how it goes.

Handling is a separate issue. Sometimes cornering can benefit from higher pressures. Sometimes drag traction benefits from lower pressures.

 

[MerlintheMad]

We live in a high altitude desert and for c. half of the year the road surfaces are warm to HOT. Even inflating above the 38 (front) 36 (rear), by the door card, at cold 40 psi I still wear the outer edges before the center. I have never worn down to the center tread wear bars.

 

[stoopid]

Living in a desert, during the summer I keep mine 1 PSI lower than recommended (37 front, 35 rear). After 15 minutes at highway speeds I'll see around 40-41PSI which is about what I'd see in the cooler months with normal pressure (38 front, 36 rear). 41PSI is well below the max pressure spec on the side of the tire. Whatever is decided, keeping below that max is the critical takeaway. Too low creates drag and inefficiency, too high creates a harsher ride and center tread wear as previously mentioned. Too high and risk a blowout.

 

[RIck-F]

I keep my (ambient temperature) pressure at 40 psig. If there is snow, I'll lower it to 34-36. While lower pressure improves ride and traction it increases rolling resistance and reduces MPG. If conditions are dry, I think the car handles a bit better at the higher tire pressure-- it may not actually handle better-- but I "feel" a bit more confident . . .

 

[SFM]

That's just the typical recommended temp. You're in UAE? Surface temps are going to be much higher than the "typical" that they plan for.
You should always adjust pressure based on tire wear. Wearing in the center means overinflated, so try 30 to 32 psi and see how it goes.

Handling is a separate issue. Sometimes cornering can benefit from higher pressures. Sometimes drag traction benefits from lower pressures.

Yes, I'm in the UAE. It's probably the surface temps as you said. I'll keep the pressure lower.

 

[D.J.]

I think the recommended tire pressure on the door sticker is very high. I have 77,000 km (47,800 miles) on my car, 55,000 km (34,000 miles) of them were on the factory Continental SportContact 5 and 22,000 km (13,600 miles) on new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. My GT-Line came from factory with the 19" staggered setup, and I made sure to keep the cold tire pressure at 36 psi for both the front and rear tires, as recommended by the door sticker. Both the older tire set and the new one are worn mostly in the centre. The wheels were balanced as well.

The first set of tires was almost completely worn in the centre, while the sides had a decent amount of tread. I noticed the same thing on the newer set of tires as well. So I decided to lower the cold tire pressure to around 32-33 psi. What pressure do you have your tires at?

you have any pictures of this wear pattern?

 

[SFM]

you have any pictures of this wear pattern?

I have some pictures from a month before I replaced the first set of tires. If you look closely at the tread, you'll see that the sides have some tread left while the centre is almost gone. I didn't take good pictures, so only one side of the tire is shown, but both sides had the same tread. I don't have any pictures of the second set of tires.

 

[Ozstung]

I had my last 2 sets of tyes set at 38 & 40 and being in a hot climate they'd rise to 40-42/ 42-43. The last Michellin Ps4 i only got 15,000 km.

As the other said drop down to 32-34. As I've alway seen the tyre manufacturer always suggests a lower pressure than the car manufacturer.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I have some pictures from a month before I replaced the first set of tires. If you look closely at the tread, you'll see that the sides have some tread left while the centre is almost gone. I didn't take good pictures, so only one side of the tire is shown, but both sides had the same tread. I don't have any pictures of the second set of tires.

Yeah, that is the exact opposite of how my tires have worn, going on three sets now.

 

[Hawk853]

Yes, I'm in the UAE. It's probably the surface temps as you said. I'll keep the pressure lower.

At the recommended pressures my tires were cupping as well. I took out 2psi and it seems to be wearing more evenly.

The pressures change a lot depending on ambient temps, if the sun is shining on one side and spirited driving, etc.

I tried filling with nitrogen, but it only made a slight difference. I didn’t like wasting almost an entire tank of air from my shock servicing rig, so I just went back to regular air.

 

[D.J.]

As I've alway seen the tyre manufacturer always suggests a lower pressure than the car manufacturer.

Just curious, where do you see this?

 

[Ozstung]

Just curious, where do you see this?

Heard it for the last 40 years of driving.

 

[lakinxo]

Maintaining your car's tire pressure within the range of 32 to 35 psi is the ideal recommendation. Failure to do so can result in multiple challenges while driving. When it gets super hot like in the summer, try dropping your tire pressure by 30 – 32 psi. You know, 'coz high temps can make those tires blow up!