When i switched to the 205/45/ tires on the stock rims - do i continue to use the posted tire pressure on the door?

- or -

What should i set them at for max treadlife and decent performance (road use)?

 

The recommended tire pressure on my OEM 195/55-15's is 32 PSI. After experimenting, I found I preferred 34 PSI for road use, long trips and driving the twisties. My car is basically a daily driver.

When I switched to 205/45-16's, I started out with 34 PSI and found that to be a suitable choice. I'm currently running 36 PSI as that seems to be a good compromise for everyday driving, handling and trips. I would think that, depending on your priorities, anywhere in the range 32-36 PSI would be a good ballpark figure to play with.

It seems to me that a higher pressure would be good for maximum tread life and a lower one for maximum handling. However, I just realized that you're using 205/45's on a stock (6" wide?) rim. Since that is not an optimal size rim for your tires, I'm not sure if my recommendations are right for your car. My rims are 7" wide.

 

It depends on the tire, and if you want better cornering or more cushy ride. My Proxes 4's have a soft sidewall so I run my psi at 40 all around (tire max is 50). It's very firm but the wear has been completely even.

 

'k! Thanks!

i will try the 40psi on all four...

 

I did the 40 psi (they were 22 psi!)

From another board (Jeepers of all places!) i picked up this tidbit:

Make a chalk mark across the entire tread face for each tire.

Drive a bit and then check to make sure the chalk is evenly 'worn' and not left on the center (under-inflated or only worn in the center - over inflated...)

 

I didn't read just which tire you have. Check the sidewall for the max pressure and make sure your cold pressure is well under that. It will go up as the tire gets hot. The chalk trick is mostly to check how much you're scrubbing the tires sidewall on fast corners when racing. But it should work across the whole tread also if you do the test several times to get an average look see.

 

I ran 40 on my proxies also. wore pretty even

 

You know thats actually a hard question. I would go with whats on the tire. Remimber the whole ford/firestone debate over who was right on the tire pressure issue. I think it went the way of the tire company. so thats why I would go with the tires pressure.