44 psi vs. 32 psi and costs

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

s.

My question is, how much faster do suspension components wear, given a 10 psi increase over manufacturers recommended pressure? I wonder how much extra force is transmitted to the suspension components due to the higher inflation pressure?

This is a GREAT question! The Infiniti Q45 had electronic suspension so I never noticed the rougher ride. Sold it with 270k. I had replaced the shocks and struts twice...at 100k and 200k. But as a note I am a big believer in replacing them at regular intervals, regardless of psi.

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Here is a pic of my Fiesta's tires, factory Kuhmo Solus, close to 27k miles. They have been at 44 PSI since I got the car with 3770 miles and it was totalled in the front end.
I had the opportunity to get the toe set at minimum spec (closest to 0 within specs), when the shop that fixed it did the alignment.

regards
Mech

I love kuhmos !!!

[PressEnter[]]

The centers are wearing slightly faster on my Bridgestone Turanzas at 45 psi, but they are still at 7/32 after 18,500 miles, so it doesn't seem like it will decrease the life that much.

[Piwoslaw]

I run my tires at the rated 51psi and noticed that the summer tires are a bit more worn in the middle. It's not wearing down as fast as I'd like it to though (I'm waiting for an excuse to purchase a set of low RRs) The winter tires look OK, but they less milage.

Originally Posted by Joggernot

The spreadsheet shows that even with an extra set of tires I come out ahead using the 44 psi tire pressure.

To sum up this discussion:

• If your tires do not wear in the middle when run at max sidewall - it's worth it.
• If they do - it's still worth it.
• As fuel gets more expensive - it's even more worth it (fuel cost will rise faster than tire price).

[Xist]

I ran the tires in my Forester at 44 PSI until I noticed center wear, but I really do not think that it should have happened that quickly, I had the car for a while before I found this site and I only drove 9,300 miles my first year.

However, the tires were only rated for 32 PSI!

[Joggernot]

Originally Posted by Xist

However, the tires were only rated for 32 PSI!

That could be the problem. I've never seen tires rated that low.

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by mcrews

There have been several threads concerning "center wear". You do realize you are suggesting thAt a steel belt can be made to expand with just 11 extra psi?

They are Walmart specials. I'll suggest just that!

[PaleMelanesian]

I've only seen even wear with mine at pressures *above* those mentioned here. I still see the edges wear down faster on the front if I don't rotate them. The worn edges sit high in the back until the middle is worn to match, then they wear evenly from there.

Three vehicles, 6 sets of tires, ~200k miles between them all. (2 sets were used when purchasing used vehicles). Tread wear I can't comment on since our "chip & seal" roads chew up everyone's tires prematurely regardless of pressure.

I do buy quality tires - Michelin, Goodyear, Yokohama.

[Saskwatchian]

It's so subjective to the vehicle you drive and the roads you drive on.

My Explorer used to chew through tires seemingly faster than it would go through gas. The worst was when I was experimenting with higher pressures. The increase in fuel economy was NOT worth the uneven wear and more importantly not worth the degradation in comfort, control, and safety. Bouncy tires were more than likely also a factor in blowing my shocks *again*, and blown shocks would have definitely been a factor in worn tires. It's a vicious cycle.

Now that I am driving a car the tires cost half as much and are seeming to last 4x as long, and I am able to bump up my pressure a bit past the vehicles recommended pressure without noticeably affecting the ride. In the time I would have killed a set on my Explorer the tires on the Versa look to be in 70-80% condition with nice even wear.

[cowmeat]

I got a set of cheap 12" tires on-line for 33 bucks a piece and had them put on the rims for 6 bucks each, I didn't even bother getting them balanced because they didn't have equipment to balance 12" tires. I run them at 50 psi, which is about 5 psi over max rating on the sidewall, and I've ran them that way since I got them last June, and I don't really notice any wear at all yet, much less any center wear. Might bump them up a couple of more pounds since I pretty much just creep around anyway