What should the tire pressure be for my `93 SE? I have the stock wheels on with Pirelli 7000s. I'm also getting a set of 2k1 SE rims to put on my car (16"), any suggestions of what type of tires to wrap them up in?

 

I think it's 35psi. At least, that's what I've always set mine to.

 

my tires (michelin mxv4) go to 44 psi max, i have my fronts at 40 and my rears at 36. my old tires went to 35 psi max and i had them at 35 front and 33 rear. they wear more evenly this way, and the car doesnt understeer as much. i experimented with pressures alot and i like the fronts a lil more inflated


scotty

 

Just be careful with that because they increase in pressure as much as 7psi with heat build up. If you're not having any problems with that technique then kewl, but this is something to keep in mind.

 

i just checked my tires themself and they say on them not to exceed 44psi, and i used a tire guage and it turns out that i've only been riding the tires @ 30psi!

 

That's what my tires max pressure is. I just keep mine at about 40 psi. I haven't studied tire pressure too much, except for the fact that, low tire pressure = added traction, increased sidewall flex, increased tire wear, bad gas mileage. And high tire pressure = the opposite of what I said above. That's about all I know, I just keep mine at 40 psi and not worry about it.

 

i have a 1990 se max with stock wheels normal tires, and my dad told me to have it at like 25psi?? is that too low?? what u guys suggest i should have it at?? thanks

 

What is the max tire pressure on your tires? If it's 35 psi, just do 30 or something and that will be fine.

 

Hang on here, what's with all the confusion and everyone asking? I just checked, and under the center armrest bin (under the cover) is the tire info and inflation pressures. It says "29 PSI", so no matter what tire brand you have on it, as long as it's 205/65 R15 (stock size), then you should be inflating to 29 PSI.

Even if you went 215 I'd still maybe go 29. Now, if you get 16 or 17" tires, then the pressure should change. Inflation pressures are funny things and dependant on what you need/want the tires to do. It affects handling, ride, rolling resistance, load capacity, and probably more.

 

so u are saying to have it at 29psi, cause i want better mpg, that is my most important thing and than handeling and ride. so what u guys prefare

 

You are supposed to follow the suggestions of the car's manufacturer not the tire's. Going slightly higher (2-3psi) is OK but no like 40. Going too high will reduce traction and when you wanna break hard the car may loose traction. I always keep mine at 29-30psi

 

The arm rest is the correct place as Bman and Eric mentioned. Make sure you fill check the tire pressure when the tires are cold, or you've driven them less than several miles. Friction between the tires and the pavement causes heat. Heat causes the air in the tire to expand thereby rasing the pressure. All pressures given by the manufacturer for the tires are cold inflation pressures.

Several things are affected by tire pressure. Load carrying capacity (typically, the more air in the tire, the higher the load it can carry). That is why the manual states that for a fully loaded vehicle, towing, or going high speeds, to raise the tire pressure slightly.

A higher tire pressure reduces rolling resistance and stiffens the sidewall, both good for performance. However, it will also give a rougher ride. It may also give you uneven tire wear (excessive center wear on the tire tread area.) If you're going to a lower profile tire, you will need a higher psi to maintain the load carrying capacity of the tires.

An underinflated tire may ride better, but generates more heat on the road. Remember the Explorer incident with the blowouts? Most of those tires were underinflated, thereby generating more heat. Heat kills the rubber in the tire, and over time, can generate excessive heat causing the tire to disintegrate.

Remember, air holds up the car. When you have a low profile tire, there is less space for air, but you still need the same amount of air to hold up the car, so you need to force more air into the same amount of space, thus the higher pressure required for low profile tires.

-V