Tyre Pressures

[Chuncky]

Hi everyone
My MB C180 on a 10 plate has just had a full service and MOT
I am constantly changing my Two front tyres every 2 years.
I am retired so my Annual Mileage is quite low.

The tyres are continually wearing on the outside the rest is fine with plenty of tread
Unfortunately it is still a MOT failure requiring two front tyres.

I was told the wear is due to under inflated tyres and I should put them to 35 PSI
The hand book states 32 PSI. I find it runs a lot lot smoother on 35 than on 32.

My Mechanic says the wearing on the tyres is a Merc default as the vehicle when turn
places most of the weight on the outer part of the tyre.

Does that make any sense ?

My question is should I run on 35 PSI with driver and two passengers or should I
run on 32PSI as the manual states ?

Can I ask a further question please.
Can some one give me a Ball park figure for a Air Conditioning Service please
I've been quoted £130 and another at £250.

Thank you for reading this Post
Chunky

 

[EmilysDad]

over inflated tyres will generally wear the centre of the tyre ... under inflated both sides of the tyre. If you are just wearing the outer edges of the tyres, then that suggests to me that your 'tracking' is incorrect.
If it was my car I'd be taking to somewhere that can do a proper 4 wheel alignment check.

 

[Chuncky]

The MOT showed no Issues with the tracking or Ball joints which I thought it would have been.
I asked my Garage who I have had for 20yrs to check my ball joints.
I am told that MB has a recall on the wheels but I cant find any info on it

 

[Paul Garrett]

Il be driving back from Poland Saturday , myself, wife and grandson , all our luggage and god knows what else my wife has stuffed into 2 cases? ****** heavy though!! Be good to be advised what pressures I'd need on my W220 V8? According to chart on petrol flap it's 43psi rear and 35 on front, normally 32 rear 30 front on Avons any advice be great please? Thanks

 

[MinionBob]

The MOT showed no Issues with the tracking or Ball joints which I thought it would have been.

Tracking is not an MOT check. You need a wheel alignment as noted.

 

[Chuncky]

Tracking is not an MOT check. You need a wheel alignment as noted.

I know Minion Bob but I knew there was a problem so I asked my garage when doing the MOT
To check Ball joints, Tracking, and wheel alignments all checked out OK
.
Further research is a MB design fault. The engine and front end is far too heavy for for a rear end drive
which causes the wheels when turning slide on the road surface resulting in the tyre wear.
I am not an expert or a mechanic so I can only go on what I am told or what I have researched today.

 

[Blobcat]

Il be driving back from Poland Saturday , myself, wife and grandson , all our luggage and god knows what else my wife has stuffed into 2 cases? ****** heavy though!! Be good to be advised what pressures I'd need on my W220 V8? According to chart on petrol flap it's 43psi rear and 35 on front, normally 32 rear 30 front on Avons any advice be great please? Thanks

Follow what’s written in the fuel flap

 

[Blobcat]

I know Minion Bob but I knew there was a problem so I asked my garage when doing the MOT
To check Ball joints, Tracking, and wheel alignments all checked out OK
.
Further research is a MB design fault. The engine and front end is far too heavy for for a rear end drive
which causes the wheels when turning slide on the road surface resulting in the tyre wear.
I am not an expert or a mechanic so I can only go on what I am told or what I have researched today.

That’s BS…
Your 180 engine is a lot lighter than the V6’s and V8’s that were also fitted to the same chassis. Driving style has a lot to do with how tyres wear, going into bends fast and on the brakes wears the tyres much more than coasting in. Likewise powering out can push the fronts causing excessive wear.

As per above I‘d recommend a proper alignment check from someone like wheels in motion.

I tend to run my tyres on the high side of the pressures for better economy, they’re already comfortable being on 16” rims. Mine don’t wear the outside or inside and I’ve a V6 sat out front.

Your garage isn’t a Kwik fit type operation is it?

 

[mioba]

Get a full wheel alignment done. The condition of the tracking components does not men the tracking is right

Your garage and your research is nonsense - go to any reputable tyre place and they always have charts on the wall explaining causes of tyre wear.

Go by the pressures on your fuel cap.

ps I get my tracking done/checked at least every 2 years/immediately after any suspension related work.

Seems you are driving on a poorly aligned car for some years.

 

[JBell]

If the tyres are wearing on both outer edges then that is down to the steering angle MB cars use.

Turn your wheels to full lock either way and look at the angle the tyres are at.

I change my fronts every 2 years for the same reason, usually about 20k miles

Pressure wise use the recommended pressures on the fuel cap

 

[rf065]

I know Minion Bob but I knew there was a problem so I asked my garage when doing the MOT
To check Ball joints, Tracking, and wheel alignments all checked out OK
.
Further research is a MB design fault. The engine and front end is far too heavy for for a rear end drive
which causes the wheels when turning slide on the road surface resulting in the tyre wear.
I am not an expert or a mechanic so I can only go on what I am told or what I have researched today.

You're being fed a load of bull.

 

[mioba]

....as to your second question - AC service - is your AC working, has it ever been regassed.

Not much to "service" tbh if it works beyond a regass, if it hasnt been done for ca 7 years. cost max 60 from many places.