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Tire Pressure on Fuel Economy

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by perry470, Nov 9, 2016.

  1. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Certainly.
    I would still say your personal experience....is your personal experience.
    I don't remember a whole lot of threads stating the 2004 Goodyear Integrity tires were unsafe at the recommended PSI.
    Although if that is your perception? Who am I to argue with it? How could I convince you it probably wasn't?

    You say when the original set wore out...you bought new tires rated at 51 PSI max and you never looked back.
    Is that to say, you continue to run your tires above the recommended PSI by Toyota and at or near the Tire Max? Even with totally different brand tires? I would argue this just shows...that once the idea get's planted that "more is better" in terms of PSI...it's hard for some to overcome.

    I'm NOT saying it's you.....but I do think some people would move the target, regardless of what Toyota MADE the target. There is an aspect of Human Nature that seems to like to pursue the "I" know better path.

    I really think for most this is a stark two camp argument and debate.
    Once for whatever reason you are convinced higher pressure is "better"....running at the Toyota recommended PSI seems wrong.
    If you increase tire pressure and perceive little benefit and/or dislike the harsher ride? Then the idea of running at, near or above the tire manufacturers recommended MAX....is going to seem wrong.

    I still stand behind all my reasons for going with the VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS recommendation as opposed to the Tire Manufacturers "warning" of what they deem the MAX psi.
     
    #81 The Electric Me, Nov 29, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2016
  2. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Longer thread life. Better MPG. Sharper handling all those are better. But again I’m not trying to convince you to do anything.

    This whole thing started when you compare raising tire pressure to a religion:
    and
    And then you thought that +40psi, which is only 2psi over the recommendation 38psi (front if driving faster than 160km/h). Is this dangerous:
     
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  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Pssssst....
    The sound of me letting the air out of this debate...and moving on.
     
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  4. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Does that mean you are finally going to quit with all your religious rhetoric based on what you feel is correct based on your experimentation and loose observations? If so, good. I think you have stated your beliefs quite well and we get it.

    You'll forgive me, though, if I remain unconvinced by your wild leaps of logic.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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  6. AKCoffee

    AKCoffee Junior Member

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    I pumped ;) ... low 50's now on all four corners of my new to me '14 pip ... it no longer feels suction cupped to the road. I ended up at 58 in my Civic: great mpg and an average 80k miles per set of tires. Full disclosure: I have obedience issues.
     
  7. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Gross over-inflation. Yikes, now I'm in TEM's corner. I do not advocate over-inflation, it is just stupidity and dangerous.
     
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  8. AKCoffee

    AKCoffee Junior Member

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    Hypermilers over at CleanMPG.com have millions of.safe, efficient, durable miles at PSI's north of 60. 150k for me on my Civic at those presures...I have them all down to 45 now that my kid is its main driver.
     
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  9. AKCoffee

    AKCoffee Junior Member

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    The Civic at 190k still has its original brakes, suspension, struts all that stuff. Just had two new tirres mounted ... numbers 11 and 12 including the 4 Toyota installed at the factory... the tire guy said the front end was still tight. Although he was dismissive when I asked him to fill them to 45. Some of us are constrained by lawyers others by a narrow view of what's possible.
     
  10. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Really? Oh come on...REALLY?
    This is what I said...."There are some things I have come to the conclusion with car ownership, that become nearly ritualistic beliefs. And once people settle on what they think is best, it becomes nearly a religious act. "

    And suddenly that is "religious rhetoric"?

    And as far as what I feel is correct and experimentation and "loose observation"....

    Isn't that the same on both sides of the coin?

    People choosing to inflate above manufacturer recommendation are exclusively doing it based on what they feel is correct and personal experimentation and I would say their observations aren't any looser or tighter than mine.

    However ONLY one camp is being backed up by the MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATION as actually printed and attached to the vehicle itself....so if anyone is making a decision based on personal experimentation and loose observation...it's the camp that is NOT following the manufacturers recommendation....

    I'm sorry if it offends some...but Toyota IS the manufacturer YOUR vehicle and THEY do offer a Max PSI they feel is best for the vehicle.
    The manufacturer of YOUR tire...only made your TIRE.
    And I do feel their MAX PSI...is more a warning of what the maximum pressure the tire can be inflated to safely is...as opposed to any recommendation that PSI is best for your vehicle.
     
  11. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    It is easy enough to work out the correct tire pressure of any given tire by observing the tire wear. This is what I do, and set my tire pressures accordingly. I do begin at the manufacturer's recommendation as a starting point. I made further remarks back in post #62, which I do not feel to repeat. I reserve the right to think for myself and make adjustments as I see fit, based on empirical data.

    I do not advocate overinflation as that is just reckless.
    These pressures are not a MAX, they are, at best, only a recommendation for the tires that are fitted as the car leaves the factory.

    You are free to religiously adhere to the placard on the door well, if you like.

    You have made your case and your opinion is noted, and I beg you to leave it at that and cease from repeating yourself ad infinitum in the hope you will change somebody's mind.
     
    #91 dolj, Nov 29, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2016
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  12. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Well I WAS FULLY ready to walk away until someone called my opinion "Religious Rhetoric" and accused it of being based on only feelings, experimentation and loose observation.

    And again if YOU READ MY POSTS I've said nearly all along....I felt I wouldn't change anyone's mind.
     
  13. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    No because those things like better MPG, sharper handling, and higher thread life are facts.


    So now you’re thinking that car manufactures suggested tire pressure is maximum recommended pressure? Calling it minimum recommended pressure would be a lot closer to reality.
     
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  14. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Well if you read the sticker...it says the PSI..not the PSI with the caveat....or higher....if you think that is better. .
    Thinking it is the minimum recommended pressure I think illustrates EXACTLY the flaw in your thinking.....
    It is NOT presented as a minimum...it is presented as the recommended PSI for the vehicle...PERIOD.
     
  15. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    No I was just referring to you saying that it’s a maximum. Couple of psi under the recommendation is more dangerous than couple of psi over so that profess my point.
     
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  16. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Just a quick question, if your tires showed evidence of under-inflation when run at the placarded pressures, would you still blindly follow the manufacturer's recommendation, or would you apply some critical thinking and adjust them accordingly?
     
  17. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Really I apologize to this thread.
    And I give up.

    You open the door, you look down...there's a little sticker that has the recommended PSI for the vehicle PER Toyota...the manufacturer.
    They aren't saying a few PSI less is OK...or a few PSI above is OK...although atmospheric changes will automatically make this reality inevitable.
    They ARE saying....We built this vehicle and here is what we recommend you set your tires PSI level at.....

    I think trying to maintain this PSI is best.

    ANYONE and a lot of people do NOT....think this is best...
    Go ahead.
    Pump Yourself UP...

    I will inevitably read with great curiosity your claims of improved sports car handling....Uber Hybrid Gas Mileage returns....and nearly immortal tire tread life spans.

    And trust me...I'm very, very happy that YOUR happy...even if I think you are wrong.

    PS.
    Since I have never experienced "evidence of underinflation" running the recommended PSI....I can't really answer the question.
    I usually retire my tires in sets of 4 whenever the tread get's low. And never in my lifetime has anyone with any of my vehicles mentioned or said my tires showed evidence of premature wear or wear caused unevenly because of under inflation. I have never noticed anything but a pretty even looking tread wear.
    In my defense....I'm not a lemming....IF that ever happened I would reconsider.
    I wonder how many choosing to inflate above the recommended PSI would say the same?
     
    #97 The Electric Me, Nov 29, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2016
  18. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    It doesn't worry me in the slightest if you think I am right or wrong. It is not really the point. What gets me, is the assertion, pursued with religious fervour, that the placarded recommendation is treated as an absolute that cannot be changed under any circumstance. I don't think even Toyota will assert this. Even you agree it is only a recommendation, so why all the angst?
     
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  19. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    You evidently have missed the how nearly at every post I've said...Do what you want...and I realize people will?
    I never ONCE have said the placard is 'an absolute that cannot be changed under any circumstance".
    In fact I JUST SAID...atmospheric changes...tempature and seasonal...make absolutes impossible.

    Any angst I might be demonstrating...is only because I feel I'm being misquoted, and hearing only 1/2 truths and my own quotes taken out of context misused....

    Really...I have no angst...it seems to me YOU are the one that can't stand the idea that perhaps....just maybe...running the recommended PSI might be a good idea.
     
  20. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    You realise you just contradicted yourself.

    And yes it might be a good idea as long as it shows no adverse consequences.