What is the optimum tyre pressure?

[mooks6669]

Can someone help. I have a VE SS ute and would like to know if the front and rear tyres should have different pressures....I currently put 38PSI in all 4....what do you think..the placard always seems odd...rather get your opinions...thanks

[strgas]

pressure will vary from loaded to unloaded , 38 is rather high for unloaded check the tyre placard for pressure then adjust them as require , i would suggest for unloaded 30 in the front 28 in the rear , when loaded 36 all round , also check the recommend pressure on the side wall of the tyre

[mooks6669]

yeah ...still not sure though mate...might be a little low for wear??? will check wall of tyres though..thanks

[HoldrodeoLT]

I always just stick to what it says on my sidewall, the maximum psi

[mooks6669]

but should i still have different pressures on the back for an unloaded ute?

[mynameisearl]

I always just stick to what it says on my sidewall, the maximum psi

same here although on my new tyres im thinking the 44psi could be a bit much? for
235/45/r17's?

[HoldrodeoLT]

but should i still have different pressures on the back for an unloaded ute?

Yeah i see what you mean.. on my ute on the placard i have diffrent pressures for front and rear.. but on the rodeo it says 50 max psi on all the sidewalls.. so thats what i stick to.

[strgas]

44 psi will ruin your tyre in no time . be as hard as a rock and very little traction good fuel economy but increased tyre wear and reduced traction . max tyre pressure should only be set when loaded .
front to rear pressure can be varied as the front tyres are normally carrying more load all the time as the rear is just following along . check pressure when cold as hot tyres will give different pressure readings .

[azkwazere]

i seem to float around the 35/36psi mark no matter what im rolling in... seems like a good number.

aZk.

[Calaber]

pressure will vary from loaded to unloaded , 38 is rather high for unloaded check the tyre placard for pressure then adjust them as require , i would suggest for unloaded 30 in the front 28 in the rear , when loaded 36 all round , also check the recommend pressure on the side wall of the tyre

No, can't agree with those pressures at all - they are way too soft for optimum wear.

The VE is not a lightweight, even the Ute. The owner's handbook will provide a range of pressures, according to the use the vehicle is put to. The manufacturers tend to set the tyre pressures towards the lower end of the scale for comfort. I run 36 front and 34 rear in the VY, bumping the rears up to 36 when travelling distances or with a full load of passengers. The higher front end pressure is to compensate for the heavier nose weight of the unladen or lightly laden vehicle.

36/34 isn't harsh to ride on, no tyre squeal when turning in car parks etc, steering is fractionally more direct and has a bit more feel to it. I've found it to be a good compromise. At present, the car is running 235/45x17's.

[strgas]

trial and error is always good comprise between wear and tear grip handling performance ever car is different and every driver is different , a softer tyre will grip and handle better and ride better , a hard tyre will ride harsh and give good economy but traction and tyre wear will be reduced . extended high speed use or highway driving will increase heat and tyre pressure .

[Calaber]

trial and error is always good comprise between wear and tear grip handling performance ever car is different and every driver is different , a softer tyre will grip and handle better and ride better , a hard tyre will ride harsh and give good economy but traction and tyre wear will be reduced . extended high speed use or highway driving will increase heat and tyre pressure .

True, and under-inflation leads to greater rolling resistance, greater heat, reduced grip and reduced tyre life. No pressure is perfect for every condition, but my point was that your recommended pressures were a bit low for the best balance of durability and performance.

I'm not suggesting that my pressures are perfect, by any means, and they might not suit some drivers, but I do believe that they are better suited to the OP than your recommendations.

[mooks6669]

so what do you reccomend for my ss ute with 18's? stick to 38psi cold or run 36psi cold? i always inflate when stone cold too..

[wrx884]

stick 2 38's if ur unloaded but if ur caryin a bit of weight 40-42 is enough.

the general rule is:

15-16", 34-36psi
17- 18', 36-38psi
19-20", 38-40psi

[Nackerz]

i run 32psi all round seems like a good pressure

[OCa]

My old commo had those wet set racing kumho tyres, 17", for sum reason they asked for 45psi. Just check the tyre wall and make a judgement on what you think if ur gunna b loaded or unloaded.