Tyre Pressures for R36 wagon

[Radius]

Hi team again,


Sorry for the separate post but a separate question - What tyre pressures do people prefer to use on their R36's, and do you vary them according to your usage?

This is the first time we've had a car with (yes I know, only RELATIVELY ) low profile tyres and was shocked the first time self-maintaining how high the recommended pressures are. We've so far been maintaining it at 340kPa (our previous cars on 55 - 65 apsect ratio have only ever run on 260-280kPa)
Our R36 spends most of its time relatively unburdened with two to four passengers in city running and I'm hoping for a good balanced compromise between ride & handling. Tyres we have are the Conti CS3's.

[Diesel_vert]

Note - all values are based on cold tyres.

A general guide for tyre pressures is to inflate them to values which will support the tyre's maximum load. For standard load tyres it's 250 kPa (36 psi), and for reinforced (Rf.) or extra load (XL) tyres it's 290 kPa (42 psi). Pressures higher than these values will not increase the load capacity of the tyre but may be increased to suit personal preferences.

Caution! - do not inflate beyond 320 kPa (46 psi) for tyres with a speed rating up to and including T, and 350 kPa (51 psi) for tyres H rated and above.



I imagine the R36 comes with XL tyres, so you can safely reduce the pressure to 290 kPa, for reasons stated above. This will probably give you a more compliant ride with little, if any, detriment in handling. There's no real need to keep it 340 kPa, unless the manufacturer says so or you are happy with the feel.

[Murray]

Not too sure about pressures on a Wagon but R 36 sedans on part load (2 x adults) the recommended pressure is 39 psi.

cheers

Murray

[brad]

This is the first time we've had a car with (yes I know, only RELATIVELY ) low profile tyres and was shocked the first time self-maintaining how high the recommended pressures are. We've so far been maintaining it at 340kPa (our previous cars on 55 - 65 apsect ratio have only ever run on 260-280kPa)
.

Where are you getting the figure of 340kPa from?

What does the placard on the inside fuel filler flap recommend?

340kpa is 49psi isn't it? That would be the maximum pressure embossed on the sidewall of the tyre, no?

[Rob Burns]

Your recommended tyre pressures are on the inside of your fuel flap. Off the top of my head it is 270kpa for up to 3 occupants and 290kpa for a full load car. You should also reset your Tyre pressure monitors after you set your tyre pressures.

[Umai Naa!!]

I run them at 40psi, regardless.

Think longevity, not comfort.

[Pana]

I run them at 40psi, regardless.

Think longevity, not comfort.

+1

have run all cars I've owned at 40psi. Longevity and handling are more important to me than a slight increase in ride comfort that comes with lower pressures.

[apom]

Your recommended tyre pressures are on the inside of your fuel flap. Off the top of my head it is 270kpa for up to 3 occupants and 290kpa for a full load car. You should also reset your Tyre pressure monitors after you set your tyre pressures.

Huh, reset them, looks like something else i need to read up on?

[R36 Dreamer]

Huh, reset them, looks like something else i need to read up on?

No reset required on R36, which has proper TPMS and not ABS system.

Cheers

[Rthirsty6]

Hi team again,


Sorry for the separate post but a separate question - What tyre pressures do people prefer to use on their R36's, and do you vary them according to your usage?

I run mine at around 2.5 bar (250kPa) for normal use, which is similar usage as yours. I haven't had any issues so far. If I know I will be doing some high speed cornering, or have a long trip with a full car then I might increase the pressures. Tyre pressures are a bit of a trade-off, higher pressures = better cornering, better fuel economy and quicker wear, whilst lower pressures = more 'rolling' of the tyres through corners, higher fuel consumption, more comfort and a more even wear across the thread. I usually check how the tyre is wearing, if it is wearing more in the centre, then I deflate slightly. I would not recommend going below 250kPa though as too soft means more heat generation and quicker wear, as well as too much sidewall flexing. The placard is a general guide and caters for a broad range of use, for obvious reasons. Best is for you to try a few different and work out what works for you.
Good place to start is this forum and check what others are going (as you did).
Good luck!

[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 =)