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Caution -- New Cars Check Tires!!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by cyberprius, Feb 24, 2008.

  1. cyberprius

    cyberprius Mtn Bikes don't need foglights

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    My prius has about 1300 miles. Decided to up the tire pressure to 40/38. When we checked this afternoon found them at 28, 25, 30, 28, or close to that. Anyway, don't figure they went down that much since delivery, so don't trust the dealer to send you out with the "factory specs."

    By the way, my husband has a special "German" air pressure thing that he keeps in his jewelry box and lets no one else touch. He swears the thing is accurate. He takes better care of it than he does his wedding ring....:eek:
     
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Also don't assume they adjust the tyre pressure properly after servicing either.

    I found mine at 32PSI all around when it should be (by factory default) 35/33. Bumped them back up to 38/36 on stock tyres. Currently running 40/38 on WRs.
     
  3. Sonny Jim

    Sonny Jim New Member

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    Your husband has a jewelry box? :suspicious:
     
  4. RonH

    RonH Member

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    By the way, if your tires have schraeder valves like every car tire I've ever seen, his fancy gauge is no better than a random gas station air hose.
     
  5. mikem13

    mikem13 New Member

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    I checked mine 4 days after we got the car and they were 40psi all the way around.

    I was surprised they were that high, but I bumped the front up to 42 per the suggestions here and have been happy.
     
  6. ForTheGlory

    ForTheGlory New Member

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    Mine were all at 30 when I brought the car home from the dealer. Lower air pressure for a softer ride on test drives?
     
  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You should check them every month as pressure loss occurs all the time. In Dec. I set mine at 58/56 and I check them a few days ago and they were at 51-53 all the way around. :(
     
  8. HealthPromotion

    HealthPromotion New Member

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    why?
     
  9. Rangerdavid

    Rangerdavid Senior Member

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    I keep my new hydroedge's at 48-46, mainly due to the fact I ****ed up and purchased a wider size, and this is how I compensate in an attempt to keep my mileage up.

    Most everyone on here recommends 42-40 as a happy medium between mileage and riding comfort. That is also what I used on my OEM goodyears...

    :cool:
     
  10. RonH

    RonH Member

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    It's that spring in the valve and the way they're typically mounted on a car wheel. Although, its true the accuracy of the pressure measuring apparatus varies, getting the chuck on is difficult at best and usually results in air escaping. I have a nice italian bicycle pump with a two way chuck (presta and schrader) which encloses the valve and has a pressure lock, but its bulkiness won't work on a car wheel. I also have a nice digital gauge (3 significant figures!) somebody gave me as a gift. Takes multiple readings to get a consistent (not the same as accurate) reading.

    Maybe I'm just clumsy.
     
  11. cyberprius

    cyberprius Mtn Bikes don't need foglights

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    Why, yes....he's a very sensitive soul. He puts his watch in it when he makes quiche to assure that he doesn't get "egg on it's face" :D

    Actually, he doesn't call it a jewelry box. It's a box he made in wood shop in 8th grade. He keeps his Gerber knives in it, and a few other precious items. But c'mon, it's a jewelry box:p
     
  12. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Ummm .... ok. I'm strictly a "live and let live" sort of fellow.

    The actual valve inside the schraeder can be loose. You can get a schraeder tool at any auto parts store, most look like a tire valve cap. The little tool on the end is used to tighen the valve

    NAPA® Online

    You'd be surprised how many schraeder valves are loose, causing a slow leak. My Prius had 2 loose valves, my FJ all 4 were loose
     
  13. Jack66

    Jack66 Kinda Jovial Member

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    Umm...it is actually a gentleman's valet. Men don't make quiche either -- it is a fancy omelette.
     
  14. 8AA

    8AA Active Member

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    I'm curious as to why you put so much air in your tires. Since I use 37/35 and get 52 mpg, you must be getting mileage in the triple digits!

    When my car was delivered, the tires were inflated to 45 psi all around. When I used to take my car to the dealership for service, they consistently deflated my tires to 32 psi all around.
     
  15. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    That's because you shake them loose driving that thing in the boonies.
    :target:
    Tom
     
  16. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Milage is much more complicated than simply tire pressure calculations. With my local terrain and commute I have a difficult time achieving 50mpg. With the higher pressures the car seems to handle better and my milage appears to get better. This allows me to drive a little more like normal people and still achieve decent numbers. I personally like the way the car feels at the higher pressures.

    Tire wear is pretty even thus far so it is not breaking down my tires any sooner than if I had them at 35psi thus it does not appear that I will have to replace them sooner than I would had I ran lower pressure.

    Anecdotally I have not witnessed any data indicating that 50psi is worse than 60psi but I have not tried collecting any due to the variable weather we have during winter months. When things calm down and are stable this summer I may play with a more scientific approach. ;)
     
  17. Slartibartfast

    Slartibartfast Senior Fjord Architect

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    And "Men's Carry-Alls" not purses
     
  18. cf_coder

    cf_coder Junior Member

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    I believe they are called "merses" now (man purse)... LOL

    --
    cf_coder
     
  19. cyberprius

    cyberprius Mtn Bikes don't need foglights

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    Gosh, I finally got up enough nerve to google image search for gentleman's valet, expecting to see R or X rating pix and what popped up were lots of photos that look like my husband's jewelry box.

    I learned something else....Thanks....Regardless, I STILL think it's a jewelry box...;)

    Kristi!!
     
  20. Jack66

    Jack66 Kinda Jovial Member

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    I hadn't thought of the possible search results -- it does sound like something that would produce horrible websites. The valet has been around ever since men had pockets because we can't seem to keep things out of them and then we empty them at the end of the day. I like woodworking and the valets are a nice project. Anyway, you are basically correct, they are jewelry boxes -- just make him feel better and call it a valet. I even have special cases for extremely precise measuring equipment that might be as expensive as some jewelry, but I still call it a toolbox...