Interesting topic and interesting answers, but gentlemen how many times have you commented on correct tyre pressures when some on comes on with handling problem’s on their 5.
Sorry Mal, I know we members tend to go off piste on occasions, but the heading of this thread IS tyre pressures !
I think that is the point Mal is making.
There has talk of using non recommended tyre pressures for varied reasons in this thread - but one of the first things that is suggested on any handling problem thread is tyre pressures.
Back off piste. I am coming around to the old lid down on the motorways thing, still not sure I would want to do it for more than an hour or so but I understand more now.
I think you’re right about 35 psi being the standard setting by garages and tyre fitters. I had 4 new Kumhos fitted last year and the drive home felt much too hard. Checked the pressures next morning - 35 psi so I let 6 psi out. The year before I took my Mitsubishi Pajero to be serviced at a local garage and left instructions NOT to check the pressures as I did them the night before. Collected the car after servicing and the drive home was horrendous, especially on bumpy bends which made the car hop and skip alarmingly. A check revealed 35 psi when they should be 26 !!! I rung to complain and the ignorant sod of a boss wouldn’t accept the pressure given on the door sticker, owner’s handbook and Haynes manual was right. Needless to say they won’t be seeing me any more.
Absolutely agree with your comment Mal. In my experience - 5 different models over 3 generations - 5’s work best with the correct tyre pressures (or as near as you can get it with an imperfect gauge). Our ND had 33 all round when we picked it up, it nearly rattled your teeth out! A change back to 29 totally restored the handling.
29 psi cold increases to 31+ when warm. I bought an aftermarket tyre monitoring system last week and whilst parked noticed the tyres on the drivers side were 2psi higher than those on the passenger side. Why ? Because the sun was on the right.
THIS! when I bought my NC1, an “early” mod was to swap out the OEM wheels as they were loosing paint all over. The tyres were as new ( matching set) so had them swapped over to the new rims. I told the tyre place 29psi, fitted the wheels back on the car and it was awful! Hard ride, back end breaking away and hopping around corners. Had many discussions on here and t’other forum about updated ARB’s, adjustable drop links, polybushes etc, in a vain attempt to sort it. One day, I checked the TP’s of all four wheels, none below 35psi, some at 39psi. Reduced the pressure and car was transformed. A school boy error by putting faith in the fitters ability to inflate the tyres to a set psi. Needless to say, I have enjoyed the car ever since ( it does have -30mm Eibach springs but that is all )
Barrie
I inflate mine at 29psi when “cold”, I.e. normal temperature for the time of year not standing in the sun, and have a TyrePal system to keep them monitored.
Tyres wear evenly.
As soon as you drive pressure will increase.
Hi I think I need to get the W and V rated tires on the same axles, even though they are exactly the same make and model (Uniroyal Rainsport 2’s), the W rated ones are likely to be a different compounds to the V rated ones