Tyre Pressures V Speed & Handling.

[Braveheart]

There's an obvious relationship between tyre types, tyre pressure, road conditions and the load in the car when it comes to choosing an appropriate pressure, especially if you're like me and "drive by the seat of your pants", as it were. Some like the comfort, some like firmness and road-feel.

I was surprised to see that recommended tyre pressures for my C220 CDI Est. were given as 34 front and 40 rear for either speed or loaded. I would have thought too hard a tyre means less tread area in contact with the road and a risk of over-steer and skid, or back end break-away... however.
My observations were taken from this web:
http://www.thetyrepressuremonitor.com/tyrepressures_mercedes.html

I would put 40 psi as being very hard in car terms....estate or no.

Clearly one set of pressures will not suit all conditions, wet or dry, comfort or firm driving experience etc.....
Just wondered what everyone else thought...and what do you use for daily use...??

Or maybe there's an optimum pressure which allows the car's systems to function at the most efficient level (ESP)

Any thoughts guys?...especially the more experienced and long term MB owners.

 

[television]

Running the tyres at max pressure is fine for a high speed run in the dry , but not in the wet or ice. The idea being that heat is kept to a minimum from the flexing of the sidewalls
The wider the tyre the more the wear in the center when running at Max pressure.

Not driving on the race track I run just under the recomended pressure for both comfort and tyre wear.


Malcolm

 

[Rory]

Malcolm's right - they key thing is to avoid the tyre overheating which it will do if it flexes too much. The max pressure is marked on the tyre - probably around 50lbs.

There are a lot of variables, so I guess MB (and others) try to keep it simple otherwise you'd need a graph to figure out what you're tyre pressures should be. Also 'high speed' probably means a lot faster than our 70MPH.

I use my car mainly for motorway cruising and the recommended min pressures are 30/33. I use 32 all round, that seems reasonably comfortable, and I'm hoping it will to some extent counteract the way the front edges and rear centres tend to wear. I've felt the tyres immediately after stopping at a service area and there no heat in them at all.

 

[television]

I use my car mainly for motorway cruising and the recommended min pressures are 30/33. I use 32 all round, that seems reasonably comfortable, and I'm hoping it will to some extent counteract the way the front edges and rear centres tend to wear. I've felt the tyres immediately after stopping at a service area and there no heat in them at all.

I use the same figures Rory and find that perfect all round, and I do it for the same reasons as you. It has also been shown on here that too high a pressure increases instability on certain models due to wheel bounce.

Malcolm

 

[Mercv8]

33 psi all round for me.. So far so good.

 

[futsysmids]

tyre pressures

I have a c180 with 17" alloys on it.

I have no recommended tyre pressures - but the tyres are 215/45 zr17 - low profile tyres.

What should be the recommended pressures?

thanx in advance.

 

[Matt_EClass]

I have a 2001 W210 220cdi on 17" Standard Merc alloys, I run them at 33 all round - I find this OK on the motorway and around town

Regards

 

[robbi-wan]

Normally run at 30 front / 33 rear (as reccommended behind fuel flap), however last week i checked the pressures and the machine let some out. It was a hot day so i increased to 32 front / 35 rear. Back end wanted to go out REAL easily in the 1 wet day since - back to 30/33 now
rob

 

[television]

The standard rule is that no matter what the tyres and wheels are the car makers figure still stand, then juggle it a couple of pounds either way to suit you

 

[230K]

Hi

I always wondered if the fuel flap gave the same readings for that shape of car (ie all 210 estates) or was it model dependant?
I can post a pic of my E300 Turbodiesel Estate is someone can post a pic of an E55 Estate then we will be sure.

230K

 

[whitenemesis]

I ran mine at max pressures all round (after advice from a German Police pursuit driver!), handling was very sharp, steering pinpoint accurate, braking sure and controlled. This all held even in the wet. Only did it for ~2000mls so can't comment on wear. Did tend to blur the vision at bit on poor roads though :-?
Now run at the max for full load at sub 130mph - 34/37 psi (as indicated on the filler flap) seems a good compromise

 

[230K]

Hi

Right this is the fuel flap frm a 1998 E300 Turbodiesel Estate. This car would have came with 16" Alloys. Can someone post the fuel flap of an E55 Estate with 18" alloys to compare??

Thanks,

230K

 

[230K]

Hi

1998 C250 Turbodiesel Saloon Fuel Flap this time. Why oh why should a C class with 16" wheels need more tyre pressure than an E Class with 16" wheels bith diesel models??

Add you fuel Flap pics please everybody.

230K

 

[230K]

Hi

1993 300TD (estate for thise who dont know) 124 atached this time. 15" wheels this time.

230K

 

[futsysmids]

Thank you

I have put 33 psi in all round and they seem fine.

 

[philharve]

Hi All

My C230K has the standard sport wheels but they are shod with Toyo Proxes. When I bought the car they were fitted with Continentals. I much prefer the Toyos because they are quieter and, more importantly, cheaper to buy.

I have experimented with tyre pressures on different makes of tyre and it's amazing the difference a few psi makes.

I concur with previous advice which recommends taking the pressures recommended on the fuel filler cap and varying them a few psi to see what feels best.

I use 33-35 psi on the rears and 30-32 on the front. The Continentals preferred higher pressures all round. The Toyos gave a hard ride at these higher pressures.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[Braveheart]

Thanks to all who contributed to the thread.
Some interesting observations and opinions.
I'm running on Dunlop SP Sports till I wear them out, don't like them at all.
Set at 33 all round they seem to operate at all road conditions well enough, giving a nice spread of comfort and performance, took me a while to get it right, if you can get it right......though.
Thanks to all.

 

[Cnics]

On a different scale.... my Sprinter recommends 47 in the front and 65 in the back. I've never liked the front tyres with only 47 in so i tend to be up to 55 in the front and 65 in the back. Seems to drive/handle better.

Mind you i don't put £35 super specials on it like alot of sprinters seem to get lumbered with.