hello all, I'm trying to find out what would be a good tire psi for my TII.
The specs are F&R 225/50/16 please keep in mind this is for <street driving>

Can anyone help me out?

 

I'd try 34-35 Cold for a start for normal driving, this is a little higher than specs. but gives slightly less sidewall flex in spirited turns.

 

would 32 be too low?

 

whaty kind of tires, what size tires?

 

225/50/16 khuma acste

 

Shortly after I got my new wheels and tires, I experimented with numbers betwee n 30 and 37psi. I found that, when I was new to the car, I oversteered too easily by using upwards of 35psi. I tended to run about 30-32psi consistently, which gave the car a nice, grippy feeling. However, I think I was getting unnecessary sidewall flex in favor of a little less oversteer and a little more stability when I made drastic movements with the steering. However, I believe that 31psi was good at this point, as it allowed me to drive hard while keeping the car feeling beginner-friendly. As of late, I am tending to run 34psi all around. Since I do not drive in a manner that it so likely to induce oversteer anymore, I feel like 34psi lets the car handle a bit better. I feel like it reduces sidewall flex, while still making the car feel good.

 

It wouldn't be too low - 32 is fine in the sense that it's spec., but I like a little bit more. Manufacturers sometimes specify lower pressures (within an acceptable range) for comfort.

This is one of those things where each driver will find their own preferred pressure based on equipment, driving, and preference.

 

Use the number in the door jamb, it's there for a reason.

 

It states Max tire Pressure on the Tire itself..I run at Max or Two Pounds below on mine(44 psi)..I find that at 32-38 the car like to swagger...also at Max Tire pressure the car seems to Have superior Handling,and you can honestly Feel when the Pressure is Down.

 

^ Not a good idea for tread wear, handling or comfort. That "handling" you feel is decreased comfort aka increased road feel. May help mpg a hair. Might puncture easier.

Anywhere around 32 is good, doesn't need to be too exact. You can vary a little bit by preference but don't go overboard.

 

I set it to 34PSI today on the way to work. It worked pretty well but I can't see myself going any higher for the street.

 

it also depends on what kind of tire it is, some like more pressure some less. some of what i have heard is to take the recommended pressure in the door jamb, and the max pressure and avg them and run that.

 

215/40/R17...Essena Type R's max psi 44...I ran 40 for 2 years really like the feel and response compared to mid 30's which I'm running now. But tread paid the price...time for some new shoes I think i'm going for hankooks next

 

Actually, unless you are wearing out only the center of the tire its not harming tread wear. I run about 45 PSI in my DD and it helps with gas mileage a little, and I haven't noticed any problems with tread wear.

 

I recently noticed I have extreme tire wear on the front right outside edge...gotta be a camber or suspension problem

 

30-34psi for the street is usually idea. Lower and you get better traction but increase treadwear and lower mpg. Higher, and you get more tendency to lose traction but can gain some mpg (maybe 1-2) and might suffer a rougher ride.

Also keep in mind that setting pressure when warm or cold are different things. You generally drive the car for a while and then set pressure warm.

 

Its different for all tires and car weights.

Go get a bucket. Fill bucket with water. Drive to flat, dry ground.
Pour water behind car. Back up into the water, but don't back your front tires into the water. Drive the car forward slowly. Now go look at the water tire tread marks on the ground.

If the middle of the tire mark is longest, decrease pressure. If the outsides of the tire are longest, increase pressure. When the water treadmark is equally long in both the middle and the outsides, you have maximized the tire contact patch. Write down the tire psi.

Similar test for the front.

Doing a burnout and reading the treadmark also works, buts thats a little harder to do on the front tires.

 

Increased mpg is from slightly increased outside tire diameter, which lowers cruising speed slightly. This also decreases acceleration.

 

Not with the VTACH HONDUH! lol

Good tips, I'd have never thought of that.

 

wow, I had not heard of that method.

 

Inside edge is more commonly a camber problem, from excess negative camber when the car is lowered. For it to be a camber problem, you would have to have positive camber, which is pretty unlikely.

Most likely the tires are feathering from excess toe, which is commonly thrown out by curbing the tires/rims. Get an alignment and you'll see a noticable decrease in tire wear and increase in handling.

 

Its a REALLY old racer's trick.

 

I suspected as much, but I'd never heard of it until now.

 

well... I suppose I should tell you the best SIMPLE way. use a piece of chalk and coat your tire contact surface, then drive forward and read the chalk line. You can also use water-based paint. I just suggested water since most people don't have chalk or fingerpaint lying around.

 

Unless you have kids, lol



PEACE, I'm off to bed.