Bizarre tire pressure adjustment by dealer!

Took my 2011 in for its 15,000 mile free service today. Tires were at 44psi, and I definitely and clearly asked the service writer to have the pressures left at 44psi.

When I got home, I looked at the workbill. There was no notation of 44psi on it, and on the checklist the tech had scribbled "36" at all four tire positions.

So I figured, oh well, I'd just have to pump them up. Waited for the rain to stop, strung out 75' of extension cord (I live in a condo), took my electric air pump out to my car. Before adding air, I checked the pressures with my dial gauge (AccuGauge). All four tires were at 50psi!!!!! Which is fine, I'll just try them that way. But it's completely the opposite of what I expected from a dealership.

When I had the 10,000 mile service done at this same dealership, I asked them to leave the tires at 44psi and they did (I checked the tires in their parking lot afterwards).

So this is probably just a one-time mistake. But it underscores the importance of checking pressures after you get the car back from the dealer.

 

I drove about 12 miles home (in the rain) and then the car sat for four hours until the rain stopped.

When the tires are set at a higher pressure they flex less, so they heat up less and therefore the pressure rise is less. With an underinflated tire you can get large pressure rises, not to mention overheating of the tire. Of course pressure rise also depends on the pavement temperature, how hard and how fast you drive, etc.