Tyre Pressures for R36 wagon

[Caddyman]

I run mine at 38 PSI, always have and wear is very even.

Matthew

[Diesel_vert]

... higher pressures = quicker wear...

I think you meant to type slower wear.

Under-inflation allows more movement and distortion of the tyre carcass as there isn't enough air to support the tyre. The resultant excess heat reduces tyre life and in severe cases can lead to a blow out.

Over-inflation reduces the tyre's contact patch and gives a harsher ride.

Better over than under IMO, and it seems the rest of the forum does as well.

[Umai Naa!!]

I've seen Passats go through a set of tyres in 15,000klms.

How much air was in them? Usually around 30psi.

[Swallowtail]

As some of the other guys have posted, I have no idea where 340 came from... I notice the OP hasn't posted back where that information came from, but it's certainly not from the manual or the tyre pressure guide on the car.

I run mine at 40psi all round.

Diesel_vert, whilst you are correct with your statement about lower pressure wear from movement, higher pressure OR lower pressure can both result in premature wear... although distinctly different patterns thereof. The best bet is to have it just right...

Scary thing on a related subject, I went to fill my tyres at a servo recently, and there was a middle-aged guy there in a recent model Lexus. He asked me when he finished what I wanted them set to, I told him 40. He commented that tyre pressures are very high nowadays, his were supposed to be 42 he said. He set it for me to 40 he said (digital one) and then left. I took my caps off, got the hose and checked it. It was on 400KPa. If he'd set his to 420KPa that's 61psi... If he doesn't have them blowout it'll be a miracle.

Moral of the story - ALWAYS check the machine before filling your tyres, regardless of what other people tell you it is set to...

[Radius]

Cheers for the advice again guys!

In answer to where I got the 340kPa from... I got it by misreading the placard . On my wagon it's 270 kPa front & rear for partial loading, and 320kPa front with 340kPa (sorry, corrected) rear on full loading as per the filler cap placard. Those fully loaded figures again seem very high.... I'm assuming full loading figures refer to five on board plus their luggage with anticipated high-speed travel.

Needless to say having brought pressures down to 280kPa (41psi) has improved the ride quality significantly =) My personal preference is also to keep pressures a bit higher to maintain tyre life.

Main reason for posting is to tap into personal experience from other owners as to what pressures seem to work best for them and whether we tend to vary them according to specific conditions eg. daily commuting vs. fun weekend punt vs. track day. Having been to a handful of driving courses the advice from the "professionals" vary from "your manufacturer knows best" to " always add a few psi as the factory's after comfort".

About the TPMS reset - I thought they needed to be reset after varying pressures also... mine went immediately off after I adjusted my pressures back down to 41psi.

Cheers team =)

[Diesel_vert]

Yeah, in Germany it's common knowledge that if you plan to belt it on the autobahn you need to up the pressures a fair bit beforehand.

At least you didn't inflate it to 420 kPa!

[Swallowtail]

About the TPMS reset - I thought they needed to be reset after varying pressures also... mine went immediately off after I adjusted my pressures back down to 41psi.

Cheers team =)

If it had been set at 45 then yes it will need to be set for a lower pressure. Get them to the pressure you will use most often, then set it and forget it...