Why different tire pressure in front and rear tires?

[fphinney]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Jan 18 2007, 08:21 PM) [snapback]377583[/snapback]</div>

The extra two pounds in the front tires makes the Prius heavier in the front, which causes it to roll downhill during normal driving. This is the real secret to great gas mileage, but don't tell anyone else.

Tom [/b]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tom -

You have raised a cloud of puzzlement from over me. Thanks, so much!

Maybe...you can also tell me which came first: The chicken or the egg?

[John in LB]

I just put helium in the front tires and nitrogen in the back. Now the car weighs the same all the way around....

PS: For the spare, I tried helium, but it floated away... so, I am using a blend now....


:P

[8AA]

Regarding why the car was delivered with the tire pressure at 42/42; mine was actually delivered at 45/45 and my understanding is that is how toyota ships their cars. Apparently some dealerships are too busy to reduce the tire pressures to their recommended values. It seems that it should be part of the "vehicle preparation service" but I guess not.

BTW: I also have mine set at 37/35 which has given me good mileage (52 MPG lifetime) and better handling than it did with higher pressures in the tires.

[qbee42]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John in LB @ Jan 20 2007, 03:21 AM) [snapback]378185[/snapback]</div>

PS: For the spare, I tried helium, but it floated away... so, I am using a blend now....
:P
[/b]

Don't tell me you forgot and opened the hatch!

Tom

[toad]

I would like to know why do people use a higher pressure then what is recommended by the manual? Is it for the higher mileage? Better handling?

Just wondering.
Thanks

[Bill Merchant]

Yes, Toad, you have it exactly: Better milage and better handling. But also tire wear. Many have experienced wear on the outer edges of their Integrity tires when inflated to the Toyota specification of 35/33, so bumping up the pressure a bit prevents underinflation wear.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fphinney @ Jan 19 2007, 11:16 PM) [snapback]378179[/snapback]</div>

Maybe...you can also tell me which came first: The chicken or the egg?[/b]

Isn't it obvious? The egg.

Why are you always so bold, fphinney?

[Beryl Octet]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(toad @ Jan 21 2007, 12:42 AM) [snapback]378562[/snapback]</div>

I would like to know why do people use a higher pressure then what is recommended by the manual? Is it for the higher mileage? Better handling?
[/b]

Both. I'm going for better handling, usually, but higher pressures do help with MPG, less rolling resistance. 42/40 seems to be the magic number for MPG. I like 38/35, but when in doubt, don't exceed the limit stamped into the tire, or go below the car manufacturer's ratings.

[toad]

Thanks for the answers

...but, aren't you at greater risk of blowing your tires?

It doesn't appear to be a problem since it seems everyone is "over-inflating" the tires.

Thanks!

[poodlemaster]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(subarutoo @ Jan 19 2007, 03:19 PM) [snapback]377896[/snapback]</div>

"i'd tend to trust toyota over a prius owner."

Why do you waste time talking to Prius owners? Why not ask Toyota?

Its common knowledge that in understeering cars (99% of cars on the road, including Prius) more air in the front than rear will balance out the handling a little. If you carry heavy luggage in the trunk, pump the rears a little more to compensate for the weight change front to rear. Front heavy cars need more air in the front tires, as a general rule. 2 psi can make a difference. Of course, I'm just a Prius owner.
[/b]

toyota said 42lbs all around when i bought my new car.

[Tempus]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(poodlemaster @ Jan 21 2007, 07:13 PM) [snapback]378805[/snapback]</div>

toyota said 42lbs all around when i bought my new car.
[/b]

I suspect you meant to say that a Toyota Dealer told you that. Not Toyota.

They are not the same thing.

I would certainly trust a Prius Owner, especially one on here, before I'd trust a random Toyota Dealer