Inflation

[lufkin]

Hi these are the size of my tires, its on a VT Calais 225/50R16, when i got them, i took car to petrol station on noticed on their gauges every tire had different pressures, so I have checked chart inside door, it says 29psi, well that's fine, but everywhere i go, people make comments that they look flat, others have also said its no good for fuel consumption, just wondering if someone could give an insight as i have to do a 1000km round trip this weekend

Thankyou

[Maxxiz]

29psi is very low. I usually inflate mine somewhere between 38-40. Having incorrectly inflated tyres is bad, increases fuel use, wears tyres unevenly, reduces tyre grip, only good thing is its a more comfy ride, but really not worth it. Pump them up to at least 36-38 IMO.

[Tree cutter]

I used to always run 29 Psi in my tyres because it rides best at that pressure. When i took it in for a wheel alignment they put 34Psi in the tyres and i could feel every bump in the road. I have settled on 32Psi now as it is not too harsher ride and it stops people telling me my tyres look flat. I really havent noticed any difference in fuel consumption when i change pressures.

[acarmody]

29psi is very low. I usually inflate mine somewhere between 38-40. Having incorrectly inflated tyres is bad, increases fuel use, wears tyres unevenly, reduces tyre grip, only good thing is its a more comfy ride, but really not worth it. Pump them up to at least 36-38 IMO.

I think 38-40 would be too high for 16" tyres. My folks VY has 15" and they are pumped to 34psi, while my car has 18" and they are pumped to 38psi, both of these are the recommended by my local Bob Jane. So for 16" I would go about 35psi.

[lufkin]

thanks everyone just yeah been confused, as the tyre placard shows 29 psi for 16s

[VYMAD]

I have same size tyres as you. Always had them at 36 psi and never a prob, that's what tyre shop reccomended, too.

[machete]

good method for tyre pressures is 2x Rim size + 4, so if you run 16's technically you should run 36PSI, this is the method i was told by my tyre fitter and worked a treat with my clubsport, i ran 20s @ 44PSI and had an awesome ride

[lufkin]

good method for tyre pressures is 2x Rim size + 4, so if you run 16's technically you should run 36PSI, this is the method i was told by my tyre fitter and worked a treat with my clubsport, i ran 20s @ 44PSI and had an awesome ride

that sounds good actually, anyone else able to confirm this method?

[accentstencil]

I also run about 36psi in my 16's. I got new tyres yesterday and when I got home I checked the pressure, around 45psi, no wonder it was a rough ride home. Whenever I get tyres from Bob Jane the pressure is always over 40.

[Tree cutter]

The correct method to find your ideal tyre pressure is to check your pressure when cold, then go for a drive and check your pressure again when the tyre is warm. You should gain 2 % if you have the correct pressure when cold. If your pressure doesnt rise 2 % then they were over inflated. If your pressure rises more than 2 % then they were under inflated. The main reason most tyre places keep the pressures up to around 40 PSI is so you dont bend your rims when hitting potholes with low profile tyres and so you dont pinch your sidewalls. Higher pressures will give you less grip because the tyre is unable to follow the shape of the surface of the road. There is no set pressure for a certain diameter tyre or rim. A heavier car will need more pressure in its tyres than a light car if they use the same tyre and rim.

[vxcalais_01]

They look flat cause they are 16 inch and have a curved side wall and bulge out. Follow tyre placard, i think 32 is highest for Commodore. Higher the profile the more pressure you go as the wall has less flex in it and needs more pressure to stop this. On a ute, they have different tyres with a higher load rating so for their 16's its up around 36 i think.

[lufkin]

i like just about every answer here, so ive gone back to confused lol

[Drewie]

I would go just a little over the placard recommendation, I run 34 PSI in my 17" and never had a problem with wear, I got close to 50k from my original tyres, any more and the ride becomes too harsh, 16" I would run maybe 32 to 34 PSI.

[thewheeldeal com au]

i like just about every answer here, so ive gone back to confused lol

I wish this forum had a 'Like' button...haha

[K-Man]

When it comes to inflation, more air is always better than less - in the wet, on hot days or cold. (Snow, however, i think may be different) Obviously don't inflate to the point where they will burst, but if in doubt put another 2-3 psi in. The tyre placard may say 29psi, but that is what the vehicle manufacturer recommends for a variety of reasons, such as ride comfort - the tyre manufacturer may recommend another pressure altogether. For the 16" 32-34 seems about right.

Also, on a related subject, be wary of where you inflate - the dials at service stations are often incorrect, having been dropped and abused by the public - even the digital ones are reularly 3-4 psi out. It was only when I purchased a calibrated device to measure tyre pressure did I realise that for the past year I was driving on under-inflated tyres.

[lufkin]

thanks K-Man