Tire inflation?

Howdy, I have 4 P185/65R 14 s (Dunlop) on this 2000 Civic. Just went to
check the pressure and found them to be inflated to 28 psi; I looked on the
sidewall and it says: max pres. 51 psi That seems high to me. Also, in the
small/fine print on sidewall, it says not to exceed 40 psi. Any suggestions
as what the psi should be on these tires?

Thanks...

 

if its just you driving, minimal load, commuting purposes, and you want the
best mileage you can get, id stick with 40psi.

 

Thus spake SoCalMike on 11/22/2003 9:02 AM:

Factory recommended pressure should be on the drivers door jam on a
sticker. I think it's usually like 32 or 35 psi. 28 seems a bit low to me.

-moitz-

 

Read the owner's manual / sticker on door frame. I'd run them at 28 - 31
psi. Don't get fooled by the advice that says "let a few pounds out
during winter for better ice traction" . . . It's just not true.

Under HEAVY load conditions (family crammed on vacation)it's wise to go
to the higher end of the range, but you'd have to be smuggling weapons /
patio blocks to go as high as 40 psi.

'Curly'

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Thanks all...

 

I have repeatly tried both recommended (32psi) and max pressure
(40psi) on my 94 Civic Coupe. I have found that I squeal much less
from the light and around corners on the max pressure. Also, my buddy
races autocross, and he has MUCH slower times on factory spec.
Everyone there pumps up to max when racing. However, they drop down to
spec afterward, and no-one has a definitive answer why. The most
common answer is that softer is more comfortable, which I don't quite
understand for 30 series tires. That small of a sidewall is pretty
rough no matter what you pressurize to.

Nate

 

The increase the PSI for AutoCross to reduce sidewall road contact. Since
they corner so hard, if the PSI is low, the tire will deflect, and the
sidewall will come into contact with the asphalt, which is dangerous (lack
of grip, and risk of damage to sidewall causing a blowout). They then
return to normal PSI because for normal driving, it increases tread life,
and makes for a more comfortable ride.
The answer to the original question of what PSI should he use, ignore what
the tire says, just RTFM, it's in your owner's manual, and either in the
glove compartment or the driver's door jamb, and just follow what pressure
Honda says to use.

--Peter

 

Try 32 in front and 30 in back.

 

Yea, that's what I ended up doing...

 

Use the pressure recommended for the car in the owner's manual or door
plate or glove box or fuel door. If this is higher than the maximum
pressure on the tire (unlikely), replace the tires with those that can
handle the pressure recommended for the car.

Note that the pressures are to be measured with cold tires (after sitting
in your garage overnight). Be aware that as temperatures get colder, the
cold pressure will decrease, so check pressure more frequently as winter
approaches. Don't forget to check the pressure in the spare tire.