So my car is fitted with these tyres (as mentioned above), the fuel cap indicates that recommended pressure for all tyres are 2bar (29psi)
The other day I sent my car for wheel alignment and balancing they told me they pumped 36psi for all four tyres (huge jump from 29psi). I felt that the steering is smoother and the car feels lighter.

My question is, should I continue using 36psi for all four tyres or go back to 29psi as indicated by the car?
I don't want to over inflate or under inflate my tyres either. Not sure if 36psi is correct or not.

My car is a 2011 VW Golf Mk6

Thanks!

edit: I should also add that the tyres are non-stock, does that make any difference to the manufacturer's recommended pressure?

This post has been edited by fabianz03: Mar 24 2018, 06:26 AM

follow car manufacturer's stated pressure as the car is designed in such a way

That’s what I thought as well, but why did the tyre shop use 36psi? I mean, they’re tyre mechanics they should know better?

They’re a reputable tyre shop chain with 5 outlets across Auckland. If it’s those ciplak roadside mechanic maybe they’re not as knowledgeable but hmm

just use in between 29psi - 36psi then. 33 psi perhaps?

I’m using the same size of tyres 195/65r15
Due to my current fitted tyres conti cc6 with their super soft sidewall I’m also filling it up to 35-36psi cause if I just follow the recommended 30psi it would scrape most bumps and the handling is just off.. so yeah it’s fine even my tyre shop says it’s no issue

Tire pressure is not really exact right or wrong. It depends on one's own preference too, some people like it firmer, some softer. The recommended pressure stated on the sticker is usually just as a starting point for you to adjust. If you do feel suited to the recommended one then that's fine. If you feel it's too soft then adjust gradually, start by increasing about 5-10% higher then test if you feel it's better or not. It can also go another way to reduce it if you feel too hard (but at 29psi, I think better not reduce anymore coz that's already on the low side). Keep testing like that until you find the pressure that you feel suit you the best. For me usually I prefer to go higher by about 10% than the recommended one for these reasons:
1. Tire pressure will always drop gradually so by having it higher, it will still not become too low so it's safer.
2. Higher pressure is less prone to overheating on high speeds.
3. More responsive steering and handling.
4. Gives better aquaplaning resistance as the treads are more open.
5. A bit more fuel saving.
But I rarely go over 10% higher because then it will become too uncomfortable and may reduce dry and also wet traction. For example my car's recommended pressure is 32 psi, but I always pump 35psi.

Thank you all for the replies, guess I'll keep my tyres at 36psi then, I find my steering smoother and car lighter.

IMHO if steering is already noticeably lighter, that means the pressure is already a bit too high resulting in less traction, and might be more unstable at high speeds.

So what pressure do you think I should pump? I can’t drive above 100kmh if that matters.

I think 36 psi is too high. In the long term the tyre may wear heavily on the inside instead of the entire tyre surface due to overinflation. Personally, I don't trust mechanics after they finished working on my car. I always watch them like a hawk. Reason, I found out they they almost never check the pressure when they filled it with air. They simply filled it and not bother at what the pressure is. When I had new tyres installed, they were filled to 40 psi!!

Just stick to the manufacturer recommended pressure. Engineers have done it for a reason.

Thanks, I'm getting lots of different answers on this thread.
Maybe I should just go for the middle ground like someone said earlier between 29-36 = 32/33psi

my 2sen on this. just go to a deserted roundabout with tyres at 29psi do a slightly faster than your normal turn (say, normal is 20-25kmh, now do it at 30kmh) and do it again with 36psi. Does it affect your car cornering abilities? If it doesn't then it is pretty obvious the "overinflation" is still within safe limit.

I run my tyres "over"inflated since 15yrs ago. NONE of them displayed what a member illustrated in the infographic above. Norm for me is 240kPa for saloon cars and 280kPa for MPV. Factory pressure is 210kPa for cars and 240kPa for MPV. So I guess the experts definition of overinflation is anything nearer to the max pressure that the tyre is designed to take, for e.g. 350kPa or above.

Of coz one should take into consideration the build of the tyre sidewall. In this aspect, the only tyre I pump closer to stock pressure was XM2, as it has pretty stiff sidewalls.

Thanks, I should also note that before I get my wheel alignment and balancing done I always hear screeching noises every time I use the roundabout. That’s what prompted me to do thenalignment. Even at 25kmh turns I’m roundabouts they’ll be screeching, very loud.

After the alignment and balancing is done (with 36psi), the sound is gone.

I'd think try going 32-33psi first and see how it feels.

How come tyre pressure would cause scraping bump if you're not underinflated below recommended pressure?
Coz my car after changing to another absorbers, it would scrap bumps as well. Before this never scrap bump. So I think the contribution factor mostly come from suspension system.

Immediately after changing to this conti it happened

36 psi is still suitable for your tyres and car.
You may drive up to 160 km/hr and still within recommendations.


Indeed they know better.


I personally prefer 36 psi in this context.
Heck , I even go up to 41 psi in my Toyota Avanza 1.3 since years ago ........ and had tyres replaced with 2.0 mm tread depth left at 115,000 km usage .
No, it doesn't have uneven wear at centre portion as often said here.