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Tyres 235/60/16 suggestd tyre pressure , please

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Zincubus

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have checked the SEARCH option but the topics sem to apply to 215/60/16 tyres rather than mine which are 235/60/16 .


Does that 235 mean I have slightly wider tyres or what ?

I want a reasonably comfy ride but want it to be perky and decent mpg.

I was thinking with going with 32 all round - how does that sound ?

Thanks
 
#6 ·
I run my 235's at the maximum, 44 psi and don't find the ride uncomfortable.

I purchased "load range c" truck tires for my pickup years ago, and the maximum tire pressure was about 50 psi. I quickly found the ride to be horrible and dropped the pressure 3 or 4 lbs each week until I found a ride I could live with.
 
#7 ·
The maximum tire pressure listed on the side of the tire is the maximum you would set the tire if you had a loaded vehicle and/or towing a loaded trailer. The tire doesn't know what vehicle it is on so it's best to go with the recommended tire pressure on the tag in the drivers door jamb. I usually run a few pounds above the psi on the tag to help fuel economy and handling. If you run too high a pressure you may risk wearing your tires unevenly. High pressure wears tires in the center, low pressure will wear the inside & outside of the tire. With the stock sizes of tires our trucks come with, they are understressed. This means they are run at lower pressures than they would be on larger vehicles plus they usually last longer. The tires on my Sidekick were supposed to be run at 23psi because the truck was so light!

If you are considering changing tire sizes you should try to match the original tires diameter as close as possible so your speedometer will not be affected. If you use a larger diameter tire, your speedo will read slower than you are actually going (could be trouble with the Popo). A smaller diameter tire will show your speed faster than you are actually going. Then there is the problem with going too wide and having clearance problems with the strut or inner fenders on full turns. There is a great tire size calculator here: http://www.4lo.com/calc/gearmetric.htm It also explains the formula for calculating diameter.
 
#8 ·
Here is a better tire size calculator IMO: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

The tire pressure recommended for your vehicle is a compromise for handling, comfort, safety, tire wear and gas mileage. If you're not too worried about comfort, you can go much higher. The wider 235 has a pretty good footprint already so traction or braking shouldn't be an issue.

The reason you increase the pressure when you increase the load is because the sidewall flex creates heat, which is hard on the tire. It doesn't mean you have to decrease the pressure if you don't have an above average load.

IMO the tire will last longer with the pressure closer to the maximum than the recommended level and you will get the benefits of increased gas mileage.
 
#9 ·
Agreed on the factory recommended pressure being a compromise. Higher tire pressure, will give you better fuel mileage because of the lower rolling resistance. It will also give you better dry weather handling because the sidewall will flex less. The concern for handling with high pressure would be in wet or snowy conditions. When you run much higher pressure your contact patch with the road is lessened and can compromise traction. There is a window above and below the recommended pressure you can play in. It varies form vehicle to vehicle and tire to tire. If you run too high a pressure you change the shape of the tire and the contact patch preferred by the tire manufacturer and you will wear the tire more in the center. The wear may not be substantial but it will occur. Adjusting tire pressure up for loads is done to help sidewall stress & heat as mentioned and also to keep the tire shape and tread contact consistent. Everyone has their preferences and its all good as long as the tire can deliver safe traction.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
How about POSTING a few NUMBERS guys ?

235/60/16 ...... I was thinking about going with 32 all round but now considering going up to 34 or even 36 .....

Just POST what pressure YOU would chose .

Thanks .
 
#11 ·
My stock tires were originally the 215/70/16. After doing a bit of research, I found that RAV's at one point came stock with the wider 235/60/16, so I changed my tire size to that. I checked the pressure after install, and it was up around 38-40PSI all around. I try and keep mine in the 38PSI range because I feel that the care handles better with less body roll. I have tried them lower, around the 32 psi range, and they seemed a bit "splashy" and the car didn't seem to drive as nice with the pressure that low.
 
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#12 ·
I removed my 235/60R16's @ 44 psi and installed 255/50R19's @ 33 psi. Found the ride mushy and Rav didn't seem to roll as easy so upped them to 44 psi and found the ride to be smoother. They're staying at 44 psi. When I get a chance I'll wet the tires and drive into the garage and check the tread contact width. Doubt I'll change anything tho.
 
#13 ·
the stock pressure is 29psi... I would go no higher than 36psi.. You may notice that the handling improves at higher pressure, but the ride will not be as smooth... anywhere in between those two numbers would be more than ok...
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
tested my pressures today !

front n/s 34
front o/s 23
rear n/s 26
rear o/s 34

Giving an unbalanced and spongy ride

So I put them ALL up to 34 today !

AS expected a much HARDER ride and more speed/responce

I will keep them at 34 for a day or so -as we are doing a bit of motorway/freeway driving but may drop them to 31 or 32 on Wednesday to get a comfier ride !!?

Thougts welcomed as always !!
 
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