[ConcreteMonkey]

I know the Ford reccomended tyre pressures for the 7x18 wheels on the Mk3 are 31psi rear and 30psi front, but what do you run yours at?

I found out the hard way on some alloys on another car that with lower profile tyres, you need to keep the PSI up.

Many people have suggested 40psi, the garages where I have had tyres from also say that 40psi is what they set them too when they add a new tyre and that 40psi won't do any harm at all.

With winter around the corner, I was just wondering what people run their psi at and what effects if any will be had by running the psi at 40 (apart from less comfort when driving of course)

 

[mondeoman]

40 psi will help find all the rattles in your car
I normally run 36-38 psi, on a front drive car that would usually be 38 front and 36 rear.

 

[ConcreteMonkey]

I have been told by some people that they reduce the pressure in the tyres in Winter to increase grip. This actually work?

 

[mondeoman]

Maybe that is a snow and ice thing? Increased pressures (up to a point) normally result in higher grip under normal road conditions.

 

[totalguy]

I have been told by some people that they reduce the pressure in the tyres in Winter to increase grip. This actually work?

yes it does i been told this too

 

[ConcreteMonkey]

Maybe that is a snow and ice thing? Increased pressures (up to a point) normally result in higher grip under normal road conditions.

I was under the impression that higher presures resuted in less surface area connecting with the road, which reduced grip.

 

[totalguy]

yeah higher pressure result in less grip

 

[TDCi 160]

Lower pressures wont help much in winter conditions. Nothing grips ice, you could have 295 width tyres and there wouldnt be much difference. For every day use mine are at around 36-38psi, and ive never had any problems with tyre wear or anything.

 

[totalguy]

i think thats a bit high is it not? i put 32 in mine all round on my 16's or are yours bigger and need different pressures? my tyres sit how they should when at 32

 

[TDCi 160]

It probably is a bit high, but when theres only 30-32psi in them they always look a litle flat to me. Plus theres more chance of damaging the rim on all the speed bumps round our way. Ive never had any probs with running them at these pressures though like i said. Plus somehow the car feels more responsive on these pressures, though there was nowt wrong with it before. Even at 38psi its still well withing the max permitted pressures though so theres no safety concerns. Mine are 18's by the way.

 

[RBagnall]

How can Ford say to run them at 31 rear and 30 front when the tyre pressure guide in the fuel flap says 36 front and 33 rear. This seems like quite a difference to me.

Richard.