Hi, I collect my first ever Mazda MX5 tomorrow (having never driven one before 
). Just a quick question… The car is a 1.6 Monaco (P reg 1996). I have a 100 mile drive home after collecting it, and am wondering what I should set the tyre pressures to. I’m assuming the wheels are original size etc… Thanks in advance.
a ha. Think I may have found the answer on the tech section of the forums… 26psi all round sound about right??
Yes, although 28psi often gives slightly better MPG. In the unlikely event that you fit snow tyres, they are 26psi front and 29psi rear. They’re also 175/65 instead of 185/60.
thanks Roger, I’ll go for 28.
tim107ojv this has been taken from the oc technical FAQ dont forget these cars must have the correct pressure all round or you will end up going round roundabout backwards
Manufacturers recommended tyre pressures:
Mk1 & Mk2 = 26 psi (1.8 bar) in all four tyres
Mk3 = 29 psi (2.0 bar) in all tyres
If you have a spacesaver spare tyre = 60 psi (4.2 bar)
This information is also printed on a label in the drivers side door shut.
Alan
Thanks Alan. Point taken. I set the pressures at 28 all round to drive it home (they were between 10 and 18!!), but I’ll adjust to 26.
OK no probs just enjoy and dont forget it better with your top down LOL
Alan
Tyre pressures are a recommendation only. When Toyo T1-Rs were a popular performance tyre (no longer made in 14"), most people used to run them at a slightly higher pressure to compensate for the softer sidewall construction. I wouldn’t go lower than 26psi but a little extra pressure improves mileage, cornering power (in the dry) and makes the steering a bit easier on non-PAS cars. For general driving, especially in the wet, 26psi is good.
2psi won’t make you go round a roundabout backwards unless you have a fresh-off-the-boat grey import Roadster with Nippon Nogrips. It is very important to have the pressures the same L to R on any given axle, though.
I had occasion to use my little spare for the first time ever on Monday. NSR blew out - a hole in the sidewall on the inboard side of the car. The road I was on wasn’t smooth -we are in England - but the only warning I had was a noise from the back end. With the top down and nowhere easy to stop on a fast road I must have covered nearly a mile before I pulled in. Tyre definitely shot and smoking but still on. It was bizarre that It didnt seem to affect the handling - in a straight line at least. So, put the spare on. And as I did I thought this has probably never been used, it’s fifteen years old and I don’t know what pressure is in it - or what it should be. I got me home - thirty miles - and I now know it should be at 60psi. I haven’t checked it but I will from now on.