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Measure pressure when COLD, not after driving, but first thing in the morning. There are 2 tire pressure recommendations on any car:
1) Car manufacturer sticker located on the "B" pillar (between front and rear doors on driver side. This is the pressure recommended for the original tire size (e.g. 205x50x16) which is also on this sticker. This is for "best ride characteristics”… suspension is tuned for this setting. My opinion from testing, this doesn’t result in best mileage or wear.
2) Min – Max pressure on the tire sidewall. Tire manufacturer rating based on tire construction.
I set cold pressure exceeding tire max on sidewall by 5%. Why? When driving, tire sidewall flexes (squashes) between road surface on each revolution, causing heat. More pressure = less squash = less heat. Heat is calories (energy) and all energy comes from gasoline. I believe I get better mileage. I have never had a blow-out. Heat also warms the rubber and therefore accelerates wear. Tires wear on edges because each turn causes the outside tire to roll under to some degree. More pressure reduces “roll under” and therefore reduces edge wear.
So I feel the bumps a little more but save cash on tires and gas. Just another opinion, if you get my meaning.
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