Tire pressure upgrade results

[Sheepdog]

I was at the Toyota std pressure rating of 35/33 and was doing just at 49mpg in my mostly 55 to 65 mph interstate romps to work daily.

I made the pressure jump to 42/40 and have these observations:

1. I dont notice any difference in ride. Seems about the same. No bone jarring uncomfortableness. Almost seems a bit quicker to control?

2. My average mpg has risen from 49 to 55 !

I can recommend this highly!

[NYPrius1]

Yes, It worked for me also. I went from 50.5 to 56 MPG.
This summer I am doing 60-61. I just do the speed limit, no more.

[Raider]

Raising the tire pressure has a direct effect on the individual tire contact patch. For example, in car racing, tire temperature is taken accross the tire surface; inside, center and outside. The temperature should be even between the inside, center and outside. To alter the temperature readings, you can adjust ride height, camber settings and tire pressure. The car should also be weight scaled front/back/left/right for optimal performance.

Here are my touring Prius settings, at stock ride height, using Longacre camber/caster guage;
1.75 degrees camber with 1.5 degrees caster

Here is an example of the optimal tire temperature readings, (not actual temperatures);
Inside Center Outside
225 225 225

When you raise the air pressure, tire temperature would look like the following;
Inside Center Outside
180 250 175

I would bet your tire wear will also show more wear in the center, as compared with the inner/outer areas of the tires.

Can anyone confirm that raising tire pressures will not lead to shorter tire life?

[F8L]

Originally Posted by Raider

I would bet your tire wear will also show more wear in the center, as compared with the inner/outer areas of the tires.

Can anyone confirm that raising tire pressures will not lead to shorter tire life?

It's been confirmed many times in other threads. One with pics

I believe Bob did temp. measurements also.

[Boo]

Hi Sheepdog,

Not surprised by your jump in mileage. But I am surprised by your not noticing any difference in ride. For me, the difference in ride and handling was dramatic. But I could have been imagining things.

[Sheepdog]

Tom I am usually on Interstate 4 from Sanford to South Orlando and at 55 mph or so I honestly didnt notice any jarring or extra stiffness. I could tell they were a tad stiffer and they responded quicker to turns and such but thats it. Could also be the big butt road damping factor tho!
I will continue with this inflation level for at least 1000 miles then submist pics for your evaluation at 7K miles. I just had the tires swapped front to rear at the service with new balancing and the mph is slightly down from "normal".

maybe the rear tires being on the front need to wear in a bit?

[seasalsa]

Originally Posted by Raider

I would bet your tire wear will also show more wear in the center, as compared with the inner/outer areas of the tires.

I think you would lose that bet. These are belted radials after all.

Many on this forum including myself have not experienced increased center wear. We have noticed reduced inner/outer wear over factory recommended pressures when running 42/40.

I have heard of no reports of increased tire wear related to 42/40 pressures.

[autoxic]

Originally Posted by Raider

I would bet your tire wear will also show more wear in the center, as compared with the inner/outer areas of the tires.

Can anyone confirm that raising tire pressures will not lead to shorter tire life?

Nope, I now have 60,000 miles on my HydroEdge tires, and I have run a range of 38-42 PSI the whole time, with 42/40 right now. I don't think the higher pressure has hurt much, as the wear is pretty even on my tires. I might replace the tires before snow season (Dec-Mar), at around 70K miles on them, because the tread will be a bit low at that point.

I got 65,000 miles out of the OEM tires running 36-40 PSI usually. I think alignment affects wear more than the increased pressure.

[Raider]

Originally Posted by seasalsa

I think you would lose that bet. These are belted radials after all.

Many on this forum including myself have not experienced increased center wear. We have noticed reduced inner/outer wear over factory recommended pressures when running 42/40.

I have heard of no reports of increased tire wear related to 42/40 pressures.

As I commented, increased tire pressure will lead to tire wear showing in the center of the tire, with less wear showing in the inner/outer sections of the tire.

Even though there may be no evidence that running increase tire pressure does not reduce the expected life of the tire, I will conservatively continue to use adequate air pressure to maintain even tire wear.

I hope everyone practices lowering their air pressures when the weather gets wet or cold, to reduce your chances to hydroplane/slide in rain and snow. Unless someone wants to share their story about traction control while running higher air pressures.

[F8L]

Originally Posted by Raider

As I commented, increased tire pressure will lead to tire wear showing in the center of the tire, with less wear showing in the inner/outer sections of the tire.

.

Ok so let me get this straight. You are saying that despite all available evidence that is displayed in here by various members that runs contrary to your opinion you still stand by it?

Can you please explain why I am not seeing increased wear despite 50psi+ in my stock tires? I am curious why my situation does not fit your predicted outcome.

I'm hoping you have a real reason backed by physics and not a Crabtree's Bludgeon type response like we had in an earlier thread. lol

In case anyone missed my link I will post the pictures of my tires after over 30k miles of high pressure.