What is the correct tire presure?

[col320ce]

The info on the petrol cap is different to that on the drivers door. Which is correct do you think?

1993 320CE Sportline C124, Australian car

Thanks for any help...

 

[mikestrivens]

I always refer to the one on the fuel filler flap.

 

[oigle]

Regardless of the above, you have illegal tyres on your car. You must replace tyres with at least the same load and speed rating as the originals. The only vehicles that are free of this rule are 4WD SUV's where a minimum of H rating applies. Your insurance company could refuse a claim on your car.
As far as pressures go, it depends on how fast you drive and whether you value comfort ahead of handling or vice versa. I'd start at 32psi and go from there according to your tastes. My ML runs at a recommended 32 on 235/65 tyres with no issues. Anything much above that on our roads makes for a harsh ride.

 

[television]

The label says 91 and the tyre says 91 for the load rating and that is correct.

I would use the lower setting in on the label or the ride can be far too hard

 

[toby1]

91 is the load rating

H is the speed rating for the tyre at full load

http://www.blackcircles.com/general/sidewall

 

[television]

H is good for 130 mph,,,,,is anyone going to pick up on that

 

[toby1]

Not me sir

 

[Ben Longden]

Regardless of the above, you have illegal tyres on your car. You must replace tyres with at least the same load and speed rating as the originals.

Not so sure about the legal statement here, Oigle...
had a quick check of the Australian national rules (www.infrastructure.gov.au and vehicle standards bulletin 14, national code of practice, and specifically the tyres bit... it says... (and apols for whacking in a pile of text, but if Col's 320 CE is running illegal shoes, then 99% of us are also in the same boat.)

A motor vehicle under 4.5 tonnes GVM which is required to comply with ADR 24 (which just says every car built after 1972 and on Aussie roads has gotta have a tyre placard) may be
equipped with tyres other than those listed on the tyre placard provided that:

the load rating of the tyres is not less than the lowest load rating listed on the tyre
placard of the vehicle or equivalent variant of that model vehicle;
the speed rating of the tyres fitted to a passenger vehicle is at least 180 km/h (S) when
the tyre placard requires a higher speed rating than S;
the speed rating of the tyres fitted to vehicles with special features for off-road use of at
least 140 km/h N when the tyre placard requires a higher speed rating than N; and
for all other vehicles a speed rating of at least 120 km/h.

In special circumstances, the speed rating may be less than the ratings specified above
if the speed rating of the tyre is more than the vehicle’s maximum speed. This will
need to be confirmed with the Registration Authority.

As for the pressures....

Well, my W140 says 27 psi all round on the fuel filler cap, but I have worn out a set of shoes on the sides by doing this. I spoke with the tyrefitter, and while MB did write the specs for the tyre use, his suggestion was to run them all at the max load pressure. In my case 34 all round.

As MB will refer me to 'the book' ie, 27 psi, and a guarantee of premature wear, Im doing a trial for the next 8000km until tyre rotation takes place, when any wear issues due to pressure will be looked at.

I did another thread on this...

 

[toby1]

I think every car I have ever owned always has 32psi all round - except when loaded up for a trip

 

[television]

I think every car I have ever owned always has 32psi all round - except when loaded up for a trip

Yes all of mine have been just fine at that figure, the only exception is the 140 that runs best at just under 30.

I have to run the V70r at that pressure or I buckle the wheels on any pot holes, the ride is stone hard, but thats life

 

[oigle]

Not so sure about the legal statement here, Oigle...
had a quick check of the Australian national rules (www.infrastructure.gov.au and vehicle standards bulletin 14, national code of practice, and specifically the tyres bit... it says... (and apols for whacking in a pile of text, but if Col's 320 CE is running illegal shoes, then 99% of us are also in the same boat.)

A motor vehicle under 4.5 tonnes GVM which is required to comply with ADR 24 (which just says every car built after 1972 and on Aussie roads has gotta have a tyre placard) may be
equipped with tyres other than those listed on the tyre placard provided that:

the load rating of the tyres is not less than the lowest load rating listed on the tyre
placard of the vehicle or equivalent variant of that model vehicle;
the speed rating of the tyres fitted to a passenger vehicle is at least 180 km/h (S) when
the tyre placard requires a higher speed rating than S;
the speed rating of the tyres fitted to vehicles with special features for off-road use of at
least 140 km/h N when the tyre placard requires a higher speed rating than N; and
for all other vehicles a speed rating of at least 120 km/h.

In special circumstances, the speed rating may be less than the ratings specified above
if the speed rating of the tyre is more than the vehicle’s maximum speed. This will
need to be confirmed with the Registration Authority.

As for the pressures....

Well, my W140 says 27 psi all round on the fuel filler cap, but I have worn out a set of shoes on the sides by doing this. I spoke with the tyrefitter, and while MB did write the specs for the tyre use, his suggestion was to run them all at the max load pressure. In my case 34 all round.

As MB will refer me to 'the book' ie, 27 psi, and a guarantee of premature wear, Im doing a trial for the next 8000km until tyre rotation takes place, when any wear issues due to pressure will be looked at.

I did another thread on this...

Well, that is interesting, Ben. I have had tyre retailers refuse to fit tyres with lesser speed ratings than original - say it is illegal. Don't doubt what you have posted - makes more sense anyway (unusual for a Gov't body to come up with something that is sensible!!) Learn something every day.
I was just taken with the statement on the placard which read "do not fit tyres with a speed or load rating less than specified" or something to that effect. The speed rating was V. Stupid anyway with our 110 top speed limit.

 

[Naraic]

The label says H and the tyre says H for the load rating and that is correct.

I would use the lower setting in on the label or the ride can be far too hard

Is it me...the label says 91V, the tyre 91H?

 

[oigle]

Is it me...the label says 91V, the tyre 91H?

That's what I was referring to.....91 is load V is speed rating.

 

[toby1]

Post 5

 

[Naraic]

The blue label says the car should have speed rated tyres V, but the car has H. Clearly this is a 320 Sportline...and should have V rated tyres.

 

[television]

Is it me...the label says 91V, the tyre 91H?

I only commented on the load rating and that was correct thank you

 

[Naraic]

I only commented on the load rating and that was correct thank you

You mentioned H...that's the speed rating.

 

[television]

You mentioned H...that's the speed rating.

So I made a typo that did not match my words, a big deal happy now

 

[col320ce]

Thanks for all the replies. This is more interesting and involved than I thought it would be!
Just to confirm then:
The filler cap says 35psi front, and 36+3=39 rear for normal driving
and
The Blue label says 32/33 front/back.
So from what everyone is saying 32-ish is fine for a nice smooth ride but I can go up to 35/39 if I want to see the chiropractor weekly but be able to turn corners like Fangio?

 

[Naraic]

So I made a typo that did not match my words, a big deal happy now

Very touchy...sorry.