FASTXR

Forgive me if this is stupid question, but I have a query about correct tyre pressures.
My car (EF XR6) has the recommended tyre pressure placard on the door, and the recommendations are:

Normal load: Front - 32psi (200kpa) Rear - 32psi (200kpa)

Max load: Front - 33psi (230kpa) Rear - 39psi (270kpa)

I have a set of Pirelli's on my front wheels, and they have a maximum pressure of 51psi (351kpa) labelled on the tyre. My question is, do I go by the tyre placard or the pressure listed on the tyre. I'm assuming the pressures on the placard are for the standard 15" tyres that were released with my model, and not necessarily for aftermarket tyres. I'm also assuming that running a tyre with a max pressure of 51psi at 32psi can't be good for handling, fuel economy or the life of the tyre!

Any advice?

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Red ones go faster.....

One Ford Drone

Ford's ratings are the minimum suggested ratings. They are low as to provide comfort. I suggest you stick closer to the rating of what the actual tyre suggests! Say 47 front, 45 rear. You will notice better handling and there will be more even wear on your tyre.

As I have said before, 'you don't crash in comfort'. Wheels pumped closer to the tyre limit = better traction.

Cheers.

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GOOD ON YOU LATER!

venomXR6

i can answer this one 100% it does not matter which manufacturer they all recommend the minimum lowest tyre presure that the tyre manufacture will not cause damage to the tyre its a comfortable ride thing and thats it but then people wonder why the inside and outside edge wear out prematuraly try running about 40psi min on the pirelli,s you do not want to 50psi for road use or you may as well buy light truck tyres you just have to play around abit with pressures till you get the tyre wear right hope this helps greg venomXR6 by the way red ones are definatly faster CHEERS

Casper

Whoa, waaaaayyyy over inflated there!

15" rims try around 40 front / 42 rear
16" rims try around 36 front / 38 rear
17" rims try around 34 front / 36 rear

These are a good starting point...then adjust to suit your tastes and driving styles.

Yes, rear should be same or higher than the fron to accept any extra load like rear seat passengers or something in the boot.

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Mike Gayner

I've always just ran 30-32 psi on any tyres I pump up. I'll try upping mine to 40psi, see how it feels.

MARK'S DEE GT

Pump up to 51psi you will go faster as there will be less rolling resistance.
Then you will not have to find the extra 2 cylinders you are missing.
On second thoughts maybe not.
You will find the 51psi relates to the tyre pressure at maximum load rating of the tyre. ex If your tyre is rated to 750kg maximum and you are carrying a very heavy load you should pump them up to 51psi.
I run about 38psi in the GT all round.

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"DEE GT" Citric Acid BAGT
GT#58

FASTXR

Smart arse!!

So is there a general rule of thumb for how much below max load pressure you should inflate tyres, given that most of my driving is with one or two people in the car, and a 50/50 mix of city and highway driving?

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Red ones go faster.....

XR8 Lamah

I'd roughly go with Caspers recommendation. Approx 40psi is what I tend to run in most of my tyres (15's and 17's).
Remember over-inflation will mess up your wear and handling qualities as much as under-inflation.

ianmcginley

I run 36psi all around on my 18" wheels in my BA XR6. I can definately feel the difference when they loose a bit of pressure though - down to 30psi and steering is sluggish and the tail gets happy.

36psi and then car just handles soo much better.

A friend of mine was has 16" wheels on his 200SX and was running at the manufacture spec's of 32psi. He was so proud that he could get the tail to drift and such, but the car was a pig to drive cleanly. One day I pumped his tires up to 40psi and the car just came alive in the corners, no more easier sliding, but beautiful cornering just like as mentioned in the magazines (though the slide is still there with more right foot, its just not there EVERY corner).

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Falcon Killer (if you believe what Ford Service Departments have to say about me)
AU II XR6 - October 2001 ~ December 2002 - RIP
BA XR6 - December 2002 ~ Soon to disappear if Ford CRC can't fix it....

45,000km service coming up - and i'll be asking for a sizable list of fixes:
* Gearbox (3rd time)
* Steering click (5th time)
* Brake Shudder (2nd time, and has the applied "Fix")
* etc...

FASTXR

Thanks for the advice guys. The confusing thing is that my rear tyres have a max pressure of 44psi, compared to 51 on the front (don't blame me, they were on the rims when I bought them!).

I'm now thinking maybe 38psi for the fronts and 40psi for the rears?

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Red ones go faster.....