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Sanka
02-02-2008, 10:54 AM
The label inside the fuel cap door says to run the tires on 260kpa (37.7psi), however I've been told by a few people that car manufactures like to run a slightly lower pressure than the optimum to give the car a smoother ride. The downside to this of course is poorer handling/higher tire wear.

Is the pressure recommended by VW correct? or should I run a few psi more in the tires.
VW GTI
02-02-2008, 11:18 AM
That's pretty right. When cornering hard you'd want it at about 40. Depends what you want your car for, driving it or getting from A to B.
SoVeReIgN
02-02-2008, 11:26 AM
Thats very high for a manufacturers recommendation!

Ive taken my car into Audi before and they always drop the pressure to ~27psi! :| Recommended 32. (I run 38)
GoLfMan
02-02-2008, 11:28 AM
i usually run about 38psi but my profile on the tyres is quite different to your guys ones!
Jarred
02-02-2008, 12:19 PM
i always thought that 32 was the standard. I generally pump mine up to about 34/35, but alot of the time it depends on the weather (heat causes air to expand etc etc which affects the tyres)

Also just look at the tyre, if it's balloning then its probably too low, be sure to check your tread to wear patterns, ie, it it's balding in the middle, you've got em to high, etc..

just the way i go about it.
Adam
02-02-2008, 03:28 PM
The label inside the fuel cap door says to run the tires on 260kpa (37.7psi), however I've been told by a few people that car manufactures like to run a slightly lower pressure than the optimum to give the car a smoother ride. The downside to this of course is poorer handling/higher tire wear.

Is the pressure recommended by VW correct? or should I run a few psi more in the tires.

Different type of tyres have different tyre pressure requirement...

mine are 42 at the front and 40 at the back..
gldgti
02-02-2008, 04:23 PM
i have 205/45 r16's on my mk3 (1150kg??) and i run 42 on the front and 38 on the back (koni shocks/springs all around)

also, look at the pressure rating of the tyres - i have a high load tyre on my car which has a max pressure rating of 55psi, so i feel pretty safe at 42 psi on the front. if the max rated pressure of your tyre is 40psi, you might not feel so comfortable at such high pressure.
MACCAA
02-02-2008, 06:33 PM
If someone is on the Polo forum,and ask about tyre pressures for the Polo,why do people reply with their tyre pressures for a completely different VW?It bears absolutely no resemblance to what a Polo GTI runs.
The manufacturers pressures are pretty close in this case.
Kai
02-02-2008, 06:50 PM
F 52
R 50

:)
DaveMack
02-02-2008, 06:59 PM
F 40
R 40
:)

Dave
Golf Houso
02-02-2008, 08:09 PM
Different type of tyres have different tyre pressure requirement...

mine are 42 at the front and 40 at the back..

Exactly the same as mine :)

Great turn in you get, but doesn't deal with camber changes in the road very well lol...

Yeah 40 + for the driver's car
gareth_oau
03-02-2008, 12:07 AM
Its also important to check yr pressures first thing, before yr tyres are warm.

and dont rely on the tyre guage at the garage, they are rarely accurate coz customers throw them around and they lose their correct calibration.

Its good practice to buy a decent guage and keep it in yr car.
Kai
03-02-2008, 01:54 PM
Awwww.

I said mine really high so someone would say somthing. No one did :(
SoVeReIgN
03-02-2008, 03:08 PM
If someone is on the Polo forum,and ask about tyre pressures for the Polo,why do people reply with their tyre pressures for a completely different VW?It bears absolutely no resemblance to what a Polo GTI runs.


Yes it does. A similar weighing car with similar weight distribution, the same driven wheels and tyre size mean pressures will be pretty much identical. :rolleyes:
Jarred
03-02-2008, 03:21 PM
Awwww.

I said mine really high so someone would say somthing. No one did :(

i was about to untill i saw this! :rolleyes:
RhysQ
03-02-2008, 03:32 PM
Awwww.

I said mine really high so someone would say somthing. No one did :(

ummm....thats a really high tyre pressure kai....dammit! ;)


btw, i have 205/40R17, does my tyre pressure need to alter much, what should i be at?
Kai
03-02-2008, 03:58 PM
I genuinally have 42 in my fronts.

Last night just driving down the highway in 5th with a wet road i couldnt touch the acclerator or it would start spinning. Was real bad.
Timbo
03-02-2008, 05:00 PM
;124597'] i have 205/40R17, does my tyre pressure need to alter much, what should i be at?

I think the 'higher pressure, better handling' advice was fine back in the days of 70 or 60 profile tyres, but care needs to be taken in overdoing it for lower profile tyres. I have 205/40x17's and run a maximum of 36 psi cold in the fronts, and 33 rear. A good indicator of overinflation is the aquaplaning Kai has mentioned.
RhysQ
05-02-2008, 10:25 PM
I think the 'higher pressure, better handling' advice was fine back in the days of 70 or 60 profile tyres, but care needs to be taken in overdoing it for lower profile tyres. I have 205/40x17's and run a maximum of 36 psi cold in the fronts, and 33 rear. A good indicator of overinflation is the aquaplaning Kai has mentioned.

thanks Timbo, will have to head to the servo to see what my pressure is at cos it definitely feels too much. the steering wheel turns at a slight touch and wet road traction is basically an impossible task.
Celestine
07-02-2008, 11:08 AM
I'm with Dave. I personally run 40/40 or 38/36, depending on conditions. Sometimes if I'm wanting a little more comfort, then I'll run the lower, harder cornering - the higher. Furthermore, read what your tires are capable of handling prior to over inflating them as doing so will cause your tires to wear out pre-maturely (lesson learnt from previous car running 40/40 and driving very hard).
Jarred
07-02-2008, 11:14 AM
it should matter what size your tyres are, cause remember PSI is pounds per square inch, square inch being a unit of measurement, so like the size of the tyre doesn't matter, just teh load rating on it.
Flaps
07-02-2008, 11:53 AM
Can anyone point me in the right direction to buy a quality pressure gauge? To be used for tracking etc. Len, Tim?
Timbo
07-02-2008, 12:19 PM
Can anyone point me in the right direction to buy a quality pressure gauge? To be used for tracking etc. Len, Tim?

We'll wait for Len....he chucked the last one I bought in the bin! :o :D
MACCAA
07-02-2008, 09:55 PM
Can anyone point me in the right direction to buy a quality pressure gauge? To be used for tracking etc. Len, Tim?

Pretty sure I've got a spare one that could be used for the Polo cause.Tim and I plan to go to Wakefield on the 24th as spectators.Give me a yell if you're going down and I'll take it along.
If not we'll sort something out.
Cheers
Len
Jarred
08-02-2008, 08:07 AM
Pretty sure I've got a spare one that could be used for the Polo cause.Tim and I plan to go to Wakefield on the 24th as spectators.Give me a yell if you're going down and I'll take it along.
If not we'll sort something out.
Cheers
Len

what one do you use mate? i got my self a digi one from autobarn yesterday, apparently accurate to 2% or something..??
Funkdancer
20-03-2008, 12:31 PM
Been away from the forums for a few weeks, it's just been flat out. Sorry.

However, I'm going to Winton tomorrow to have some fun with the car. Can anyone recommend what a good PSI loading is for my APR'ed, air intake'd, rear swaybar'd and Ferodo pad/Motul brake oil upgraded polo? I'd like for as much of the Eagle F1 GS-D3s to remain, whilst of course finally being able to drive my Polo as hard as possible.

Thanks!