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Tire Pressure - MPG/Harsh Ride?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Ronald56, Apr 12, 2008.

  1. Ronald56

    Ronald56 Junior Member

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    I have a 07 Prius with Goodyear Comfortreds P185/65R15 which I traded for the day I picked up my car. I have only been getting around 42-45 mpgs over the winter (New York), most of my travel is highway. I noticed my inflation this morning was only between 32-35. I have read posts regarding proper inflation - with most people mentioning mpgs v. ride etc. I guess there is a balance. I would not like a really harsh ride, but on the other hand I would love to get better mileage. Is there a happy median for this? Thanks.
     
    #1 Ronald56, Apr 12, 2008
  2. eestlane

    eestlane Member

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    38 in front and 35 in rear (I rarely have rear passengers or weighty stuff in trunk) seems to be a good happy medium for me regarding mileage vs ride quality. :)
     
    #2 eestlane, Apr 12, 2008
  3. sandman

    sandman Member

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    I am running 44(front)/42(rear) tire pressure I think it has a great ride but I was used to my truck that has over 590,000 miles so I would up the air pressure and see what you think if you dont like it let it back out...:) I am also very happy with the MPG's that I am getting ...
     
    #3 sandman, Apr 12, 2008
  4. Joe 26

    Joe 26 Member

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    I drive in NJ, so I know how bad the roads are here. After much experimentation 38/36 is about the most I can stand in my stock tires. It did help the mileage a little.
     
    #4 Joe 26, Apr 12, 2008
  5. Vincent

    Vincent Don't Wait Until Tomorrow

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    Warm Weather + 40/38 PSI Should = 46/48 MPG

    I keep my Comfortreds at 40/38 and get around 46/48 MPG with 75% highway driving at around 72/73 MPH (how fast can you go on the LIE?). I don't notice a harsher ride with the higher PSI, but the Comfortreds are MUCH quieter and smoother than the crap OEM Integrities.

    Every so often I'll average 48/50 MPG when I leave for work early, hit more traffic and average around 68/70 MPH (like this week).
     
    #5 Vincent, Apr 12, 2008
  6. Patton

    Patton New Member

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    Forgive the noob, but I noticed you guys are getting mid to upper forties mpg. Im getting mid 60's average, half highway and half city. What do people normally get? I might drive differently than most though, I work the throttle to go to neutral when I see a red light in the distance, hardly EVER use my caliper brakes, and never see speeds over 60mph. Drag sucks, literally.

    Also thanks for the PSI info, but I was wondering what is a realistic max PSI that I shouldn’t exceed? Just what’s posted on the tire? I don’t care about the harshness of the ride, I went to the Prius from a ZR1 so the tires could be made of tungsten and I wouldn’t notice.

    Also wondering what tires have the best rolling efficiency,
    Thanks again!
     
    #6 Patton, Jul 8, 2008
  7. abq sfr

    abq sfr New Member

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    Mid 60's? I'm jealous. Between winter temps (even with engine block heater) and AC in summer I can only manage the mpg below, half 65 mph freeway and half surface streets. Average for all drivers looks like 48 mpg, see Hybrid Mileage Database - GreenHybrid
    I run 40/38 (mostly, they seem to leak slowly) on original Goodyears, no complaints from the wife about a harsh ride, handles ok for me. Some people run much higher than that, there's probably a gradation into higher failure rate, such as from hitting a pothole at 48/46. For tires, the search engine is your friend! Welcome to PriusChat!!
     
    #7 abq sfr, Jul 8, 2008
  8. subarutoo

    subarutoo New Member

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    40/38 when I bother to check it. I'm getting 50.6 lifetime avg, without even trying. Also have over 63,000 on the original Goodyears. 99% highway driving. YMMV. :)
    I'm happy with the ride and handling, for what it is.
     
    #8 subarutoo, Jul 8, 2008
  9. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You can always try to run crazy pressures like some of us (60-70psi) and see if you can get used to the harsher? ride. Then if it is unbearable drop it down into the mid 40s and it might feel like a Cadillac. lol

    Personally I don't mind the high pressures except for the noise/vibration when going over chopped up roadways.
     
    #9 F8L, Jul 8, 2008
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