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Overinflated tires leading to suspension damage?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by primuspaul, Jul 30, 2014.

  1. primuspaul

    primuspaul Member

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    Is it possible that highly inflated tires (such as 40 PSI) will lead to damage to shocks/suspension due to hastened wear and tear of those components?
     
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    of course, but it's not much, maybe a 10-20% hit? it ain't coin' your spine any good either!
     
  3. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    It's more likely to leave a center wear strip in the center of the tire.
     
  4. primuspaul

    primuspaul Member

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    So my suspension will wear out that much sooner?
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've thought precisely that, not that it's stopped me from raising tire pressures modestly higher than placard. It stands to reason: if the tire has less give, it will transmit more road shock through to the suspension. And you can feel it.

    For me the answer is to keep tire pressure increases moderate.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Jul 30, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2014
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I disagree that 40 psi is "highly" inflated given the spec is 35/33 psi. My experience is that following the spec results in prematurely worn tires from excessive shoulder wear. Obviously there is the potential for a slight mpg improvement with lower rolling resistance.

    If you prefer to replace the tires more often vs. accepting the potential for greater suspension wear, that is your business. Some Prius owners seem to think that the front struts and rear shocks are "lifetime" items. If you want a good ride, depending upon the condition of roads in your locale, you need to be prepared to replace those at 60K-90K miles IMO.

    If you see substantial fluid leakage on the suspension parts, that is proof they need to be replaced. However, the lack of such fluid leakage is not proof the parts are good especially if you live in an area with high ambient temps (like here in southern AZ.) The very thin oil deposits on the strut body will dry up after a few months in 110 degree heat.
     
    #6 Patrick Wong, Jul 31, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2014
  7. -1-

    -1- Don

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    :)Many here drive their Prius with a slight increase in tire pressure (40 psi front, 38 rear). If there were major issues, they wouldn't do it.
     
  8. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    I'd rather inflate to the 40's then suffer the poor road handling characteristics of under inflated tires, and yes the components meant to wear out, wear out, the gas in the shocks has no idea my tires are inflated correctly or under inflated. And at 60-80 thousand with new (better than oem) shocks, onward.
     
  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Running Sumitomo T4s rated at 51 psi and it works just fine.

    Bob Wilson
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i run 42/40, but i have had some bladder issue's...
     
  11. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    No.
    40PSI is not "highly inflated."

    If anybody who swings wrenches for a living has ever told you that, do not let them anywhere near your car.
     
  12. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    I've been running 44/42 for many, many years now... along with carrying heavy loads from time to time... without ever observing any issues.
     
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  13. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Not on modern steel belted radials. That problem came from the previous era's bias ply tires.

    If 40 psi will cause a center wear strip, we'd already have thousands of members of PriusChat and CleanMPG.com and other fuel efficiency forums already reporting it.

    Specific to the Prius, this level of pressure appears to be reducing the edge wear strips, suggestive of underinflation, that many members reported when running the placard pressure.
     
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