Trouble Averted

In the long run, a home air pump (electric or hand powered) will be cheaper and far more convenient than the coin-op pumps. And will force less water condensate into your tires.

In the medium run too.

 

I've been very pleased with the Accutire MS-4021B gauge; it's also available at Amazon but I found it cheaper on eBay.

 

42/40 is pretty common. Go and experiment. We don't drive your roads, so nobody on here can say one is better than the other.

You might get up to 42psi and find the ride too harsh for your taste so take it down a notch. It is a very opinion-oriented subject.

 

High 30's to low 40's sounds perfectly reasonable. I run 40 PSI cold front and 38 PSI cold rear, for what it's worth.

BTW, the reason Toyota suggests slightly higher front tire pressures is because the cars weight is biased to the front, so the front tires need to support more weight.

 

Would dealerships typically set the pressure at my requested PSI during a maintenance appointment? Or are they likely to say they have to follow the door placard?

 

A radial tire design engineer shared his wisdom with us on this forum some years ago. The "Maximum" cold inflation pressure is the tire manufacturer's reference pressure for all of the tire's ratings (load, temperature, traction, life), and there is still an ample margin "built in" for additional pressure from ambient temperature increase and friction temperature increase from driving. The "Maximum" only means that there is no improvement in load carrying capacity above that pressure. It essentially boils down to what cold (undriven on) pressure between Toyota's sticker and the tire's "Maximum" can you comfortably stand to ride on? Is your driving mostly on pot-holed city streets or smooth highway? It's whatever works for you, keeping in mind that there are diminishing returns after a few pounds above sticker. The consensus on this forum is that about 42/40 is "ideal" if you're o.k. with the added ride stiffness. Fifty is not "unsafe" and your tires won't explode, but it probably won't be comfortable on some surfaces. More than Toyota's cushy sticker recommendation is better for the tires and better for you. How much more is your personal choice.

 

and the increase in mpg is TBD!

 

Sounds like great preliminary data, let us know what it is for a whole tank.

 

I hear ya! When I first got the car, I encouraged my wife to drive it. Now, not so much unless I know that it would cost a lot more if she took the Highlander. I want to try and keep my mileage up.

My mileage even takes a hit if she is in the car, because I can't really drive the way I want to. For instance, when the weather was warmer, many times I didn't put the A/C on, but when she's with me, it goes on!

 

Yeah like lots of other have said max side wall. I check mine every week and have to add a little a lot more than one would guess.

I even find my self sitting in traffic looking at peoples tires and rolling my eyes at their under-inflated tires. As for the dealer messing with your PSI. As long as you tell them they are not likely to put up a fight about it. They are not something they are going to guarantee no matter the PIS. On "go hypermiling" a podcast by the GREAT Wayne Gerdes and friends they talk about PSI and a dealership. The dealer had it on file " DO NOT MESS WITH TIRES!!!!!"

I will be taking my car in really soon for the 5000 so Ill let you know.

 

Cool, I'll at least give it a try. I guesstimate I've got about a month left to get to 5,000 miles, and I'll probably ask them to set it at 42/40 or 40/38 and see what they say. I do want to get my own pump, though. It's just too much of a pain to use the one at the gas station, so I'm sure my tires are often under-inflated.

I didn't treat my previous car very well at all--only time air was ever added to the tires was at oil changes...which I often probably put off longer than I should have. Trying to be better with this car because I actually care about it. Plus I paid about four times as much for it, lol.