Changed the tire pressure

I have always believed in keeping the tire pressures at what the pressure on the sidewall says. I know there have been many posts of people bumping it up to 42/40 and such, but me I always believed in keeping it at the max recommended level. Too much pressure as its known can cause a higher chance of blowouts, let alone irregular treadwear. Or maybe I am just old-fashioned.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hopeful Future Prius Owner @ Sep 30 2006, 08:44 PM) [snapback]326340[/snapback]</div>

Well, that's got me confused. It sounds like you're saying 42/40 is too much pressure for you, but you keep the pressure at the level listed on the sidewall? Listed on the sidewall of my 2006 is 44. I run mine at about 45, which is lower than my EV at 50.

And I'm with Tony on this one completely. Within reason, higher pressure is safer for the tire than lower pressure. I get more mileage out of my "upper-limit" inflated tires than the vast majority of folks get out of their "owners-manual" inflated tires. The ride is a bit harsher, but the handling is better and the rolling resistance reduced.

 

the newer tires do not wear wrong with the higher air pressures as long as you stay within whats written on the tire... I think you can go up to what 60 or 65?

I know someone out here runs at 60 and gets about 63mph... to rich for my blood, but I do run both of my prius's at 44/42 and I don't notice any drifting etc on the road.. but the BT brace is installed on both cars too.. I really think that helps.

At slower speeds like 45 or so, the car should be stable if the road is flat.. if you are only noticeing the drift on funky roads.. get the BT brace.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tony_Min @ Sep 30 2006, 11:01 PM) [snapback]326307[/snapback]</div>

i went to my local goodyear place for my 15,000 mile service call after my local toyota dealership charged me more for my 10,000 mile service call on my prius than i paid for my routine ls430 service calls at my local lexus dealer.

anyhow... the toyota people refused to hyperinflate my tires on the prius. the goodyear guys said there should be no problem so they did it to 42/40 as has been recommended here. since then my average milage went up instantly by 8% on average - i am now getting 56mpg from 50-52 and the weather has gotten significantly colder here in the nyc vicinity.

i actually like the ride better, and i am able to pulse and glide and use the electric motor much easier than before. i should have done this 15,000 miles ago. i admit i felt reassured having the goodyear guys give me the go-ahead.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Oct 1 2006, 12:08 AM) [snapback]326348[/snapback]</div>

Don't get me wrong darell, I don't doubt your info, I don't have my Prius yet so I am not sure what the tires on those would spec to be for the pressure. Basically my pressure limits were based on the tires on my Olds that I have driven on for many years, as well as other vehicles that always said 35psi on the sidewalls. I have always thought that it was the max amount of pressure you could add to them. Of course there are tires that can take more, like my mom's truck for instance her Michelins can take up to 50psi (partly because I think they are radial tires which usually can take on more air).

But as such I have always been a cautious person, especially when it comes to the tires. But if 42/40 works for you, then thats awesome. When I get my Prius I may bump up the pressure a bit as well.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hopeful Future Prius Owner @ Sep 30 2006, 09:39 PM) [snapback]326367[/snapback]</div>

Yes, on the Gen2 Prius (2004+) the Goodyear Integrity tires are rated for 44 psi. I just put a set of Michelin X-Radials on, and the max pressure on those is 44 psi as well. Toyota's recommendation is for 35 in the front and 33 in the rear, but I think most people "in the know" go with 42/40, with fewer doing 44/42 or 40/38. BTW on the Classic Prius, the OEM tires were Bridgestone Potenzas, which were XL rated (for heavy load) and had a sidewall max of 50 psi. Toyota, in its infinite wisdom, still had the recommended pressure at 35/33. I heard that there were so many complaints of worn-out tires (and warranty replacements) that Toyota (in a TSB) upped its recommended pressure on the Classis to 42/40 (or something like that). Unless you go beyond 44 psi, you're NOT overinflating the tires.