Tyre pressures on RS

[Damo105]

What tyre pressures are people running on their RS?

Checked my tyres for the first time the other night because the warning light came on. Had 38 psi in the front and 39 in the rear, so am assuming they were set at about 39psi all round by the dealer. I'm used to running about 36 in front and 32 in rear. What do others recommend for city driving?

Cheers!

[K1W1]

Checked my tyres for the first time the other night because the warning light came on. Had 38 psi in the front and 39 in the rear, so am assuming they were set at about 39psi all round by the dealer.

There is something wrong there.
The warning light comes on when one tyre on a axle is flat (I think it needs to be about 10psi less than the other tyre on the same axle). It uses the ABS sensors to measure the wheel rotation speed, the flat tyre rotates slower.
There was a case ages ago of somebody having the light come on after they drove through mud or something, presumably some dirt got in somewhere so maybe that was a possibility in your case.
What I would do is get a decent gauge and check the pressures in the morning before you drive the car and heat them up. Assuming that they are all the same I'd reset the warning system as per the owners manual (that's the book boys never read) and keep an eye on things for a while. You may have a faulty sensor somewhere.
As far as pressure is concerned I run 36/36, don't know why I just always have on every car.

[Gnat]

Yeh, the light recently kept coming on in mine and I thought it was faulty ..... turns out I had a slow leak in the rear left.
I should learn to trust it.

Running 32/36
Don't carry much around except me.

[SKODA vRS147]

The optimal tyre pressure can be found on the inside of the fuel filler flap (thats coming from a book boy) but this is based on most efficient tyre wear and supposedly comfort.
Personelly i run them a couple of PSI higher than recommended as this was recommended to me by a friend as it helps with fuel consumption. I have not done any investigation on this but generally it appears most people run at a slightly higher pressure.
K1W1 is 100% right when he says get a decent tyre pressure gauge and check them from cold as the petrol stations tyre pressure gauges are just crap.

I have had my warning come on once and i pulled over and gave the tyres a usual kick and all appeared to be fine. Reset the sensor and set off again and all has been fine since. Maybe i had driven through some mud or something that threw it out.

PS i am running 32 all round on mine.

[ausspace87]

36 front, 32 rear.

[RSOK]

Almost same as K1W1, I run 38/36 on my RS. Use a hand-held gauge to check it at home every fortnight.

Was told by my local tyre guys years ago you can easily add 15-20% to the manufacturers tyre placard recommendation to prolong tyre life and improve fuel economy.

[K1W1]

I have had my warning come on once and i pulled over and gave the tyres a usual kick and all appeared to be fine.

Not a good idea. The low profile tyres will appear to be full using the kick test even when they have less than 20psi in them. Carrying a decent gauge and checking the tyres when the warning comes on is a way better idea.

Was told by my local tyre guys years ago you can easily add 15-20% to the manufacturers tyre placard recommendation to prolong tyre life and improve fuel economy.

The placards are there for legal reasons and afaik the pressures quoted are generally set on the side of comfort (softer ride) rather than tyre life or fuel consumption. My tyre shop has always told me to run around 36psi regardless of the placard and generally I do and generally I get pretty good tyre life, reasonable fuel consumption, only occasional punctures and no complaints from the back seat so that's what I do.

[drc13]

Perfect timing for this thread as I just picked up my RS yesterday and went straight to the petrol station to check the tire pressures.

When I looked at the placard I was most confused. I hadn't come across a FWD car before that had higher pressures on the rear than the front. I took it's word though and made it 33/38.

After reading this I might head back and make it something more like 38/36. 99% of the time the car will basically be empty other than me driving and I want to take care of the continental 18's as I can't imagine they are a cheap tire!

[dArK5HaD0w]

i initially had 32 fr & 30 rr, & didn't like it - felt lethargic!
pumped it up to 34 fr & 36 rr. much better.
i put 36 allround now. am happy with that.

i'm still on the hunt for a good tyre inflation system i can keep in my garage. i hate having to depend on the ones in the service stations. most of the time they don't work or dodgy. the ones that do generally work r further way, meaning by the time i get there, the tyres have already warmed up!!!

[Gnat]

The low profile tyres will appear to be full using the kick test even when they have less than 20psi in them. Carrying a decent gauge and checking the tyres when the warning comes on is a way better idea.

Yeh, exactly. I looked and looked and psuhed after the sensor went off for the 3rd time, wasnt until I stuck a gauge on it that it showed 18 !!!!!
Appearance and feel is a useless gauge on low profiles.