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Tire Pressure Poll - Where is Yours?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by bigmahma, May 19, 2007.

?
  1. 36/38

    13.6%
  2. 38/40

    12.3%
  3. 40/42

    40.9%
  4. 42/44

    14.0%
  5. 44/46

    4.7%
  6. 46/48

    1.3%
  7. Higher

    9.0%
  8. I dont' know (be honest)

    4.3%
  1. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    I am running mine at 44 but not sure if it is better than 40 or 42. Way too many factors in even driving the same route. I would raise them the 40/38 at least.
     
  2. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    42 f
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    the sidewal max pressure is 1/2 the actual burst pressure, mine says 50, max burst 100, not gonna test
     
  3. timberwolf

    timberwolf New Member

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    I set mine to 36/34 psi but that vote option isn't available.
     
  4. MSantos

    MSantos EcoAccelerometry

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    Perfectly even wear on all three cars sporting 60 psi on the front, 58 psi on the rear.

    Cheers;

    MSantos
     
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Having similar experiences with my other tires (Integrity and Kumho). I am going to up my pressure from 52/50 today to 60/58 as well. The Integritys did well at over 60psi so these Nokians should be ok considering they have a higher sidewall max.

    Here is how the tires look now.

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...g/63223-20k-miles-nokian-i3-tires-50-psi.html
     
  6. spitinuri

    spitinuri Member

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    I might have to bump my psi up a bit. Right now I'm running 52/50 with stock integrity's.
     
  7. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Not an option with P195/55 R16.
     
  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Why not? :confused:
     
  9. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    These are very stiff hard riding ultra low profile tires at low pressure. At high pressure they feel like steel wagon wheels. Anyone who has these tires has a challange trying to get the pressure up.
     
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I only ask because I run over 50psi in my 215/45/17s (when I swap out my 15s). Yes they are hard but I guess I'm used to stiff tires on sports cars so it's not such a big deal. :) For some the extra ground feel is just to much. I can understand that. :)
     
  11. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    So you think 50 will not be a harder ride than 44? If so I will give it a try.
     
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Ohh no no, I would almost guarantee it will be a harder ride. I just meant that comfort level varies for everyone. I have a high tolerance for comprimised comfort after running race cars for so long so I don't mind overinflated tires.

    If 44 is already bumpy for you then 50 will just make it more so. :)

    I originally thought there was some reason other than comfort why you couldn't inflate your tires any higher. That's all. :)
     
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  13. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    I ran my 2003 and 2004 Civic Hybrid at 51 PSI and they did not ride rough at all. But this touring suspension with high pressures is rougher than a Corvette. I may try it when the wife goes to see her father. :D:D:D
     
  14. ggood

    ggood Senior Member

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    You guys are tough, and I presume young! :D I'm not even sure I wanna go over 39. Isn't there some point of diminishing returns at which the number of pebbles you can feel on the road is no longer useful? ;)
     
  15. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I'm 34. :)

    I am willing to bet there is a point of diminishing returns, there seems to be with nearly everything but I am not sure we have figured out where that point is yet. I think it may be somwhere near the 55-60psi mark with some tires but I have not done any scientific testing to know. Maybe Bob has some cool graphs for us?

    I know I like the handling and the ease of gliding with the higher pressures so I tend to stay over 50psi. In the grand scheme of things though, you should keep the tires set where you are comfortable. Addnig 1-2mpg more but sacrificing your comfort and enjoyment of the car is not worth it IMO. :)
     
  16. MSantos

    MSantos EcoAccelerometry

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    LOL, not too young here ;)

    Anyway, would any of this help?

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    Bottom line here is quite simple. If you want your tires to wear better, operate cooler, safer and net you great FE then there's much benefit it taking the pressure up a few knots. :D


    Cheers;

    MSantos
     
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  17. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Looks like the curves flaten out at 40PSI. I think I am good at 44 or 42 LOL.:D
     
  18. ronhowell

    ronhowell Active Member

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    Obviously, as the first chart clearly indicates, there is a law of diminishing returns with respect to rolling resistance as tire pressure increases. It would seem that anything beyond 45 - 50 psi gains you nothing but a rougher ride, with unknown (but probably unsafe) handling characteristics.

    Re the poll, I'm with the majority on my 2008 Prius, running my tires at 42F/40R. I'm quite happy with that combo, as a compromise between MPG and ride comfort.
     
  19. josh2008

    josh2008 Active Member

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    Knowing the risks, I'm at 62/60 with perfect treadwear all the way across at all four corners as measured by my tread depth guage. Having come from driving a Pontiac Grand Prix with lowering springs (B&G) the ride at 62/60 is like a pillow. :D
     
  20. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Mine arrived yesterday with 40/38. Not front-rear, but diagonally. Now fixed with something not exceeding max sidewall.