Higher tire pressures

The good doctor is right, though you can reset through the MFD. I forget how, but it's in the manual.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(korndorb @ Aug 19 2006, 05:44 PM) [snapback]306014[/snapback]</div>

You need to recalibrate your nice person for the slight increase in road vibrations transmitted through the tires.

 

one major recalibration needed is for foot to maximize gliding, etc. :lol:

 

Ah, I understand your confusion! There are two reset's we're talking about.

It IS NOT necessary to reset/recalibrate for the Nav system. It is possible, and perhaps desirable, to reset, as I mentioned, when you change tires. There are instructions in the manual and it's done through an MFD menu.

In the 2006 model with tire pressure sensors, it probably IS desirable to reset the pressure sensors by puching the button until it blinks.

Always useful to get to the bottom and realize you didn't understand the question...

 

I went to 41/39 this weekend and saw a big MPG gain.

BUT - I wonder if driving around with tires 10 psi over factory recommendation is contributing to the handling issues discussed ad nauseum on this site.

 

I changed the tire pressure from 34 to 38 and saw about a 4 mpg increase. Since, I always have wife and 2 kids with me, I noticed that the Prius seemed to sit higher and handled just fine at that pressure. I think I will go up to 40 to see if the ride changes drastically. I did not notice a negative impact on the ride from 34 to 38.

Does anyone have rational why most they do not use the same pressure on all tires. I see 42/40 instead of 40 all the way around?

 

I'm thinking of getting Michelin MXV4 S8 tires next time. Not avail in Prius size exactly but they have some you can pump to 50 lbs.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ibcs @ Aug 21 2006, 10:01 AM) [snapback]306752[/snapback]</div>

Doesn't the inflation information on the door post have the rear at 2 pounds lower than the front?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Aug 21 2006, 01:24 PM) [snapback]306770[/snapback]</div>

Tony, 54/52? Have you think about the danger of over inflating the tires at those pressure?

 

Doesnt the inflation rating come into play moreso at higher speeds because of heat and expansion? IE if you are generally going slow and in cooler weather you could get away with being closer to the MAX pressure for your tires or even a tad higher?

That being said I am running 46/44 (cold air temp) in my Kumho 215/45/17s (max 50psi) and am getting much better milage than I did at 38/38 where the tire place put em. It did make the ride much rougher but I don't mind it.

 

Thanks for the obvious answer. I didn't even think to open the door. I knew where to look, but the mind plays tricks on me some times.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ibcs @ Aug 21 2006, 06:59 PM) [snapback]307235[/snapback]</div>

And the logic behind it is that the motive system is in the front so the front weighs more. With proper pressure, 2 PSI higher in the front, the center of gravity, front to back, is just about where your butt is. This makes the feel of the car so much better. You're sitting at its center.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Aug 22 2006, 12:56 AM) [snapback]307356[/snapback]</div>

My 06 Prius has 9300 miles. I have been running 38 - 40 lbs tire pressure for some time. Lately I have been doing more interstate driving at 70 +mph. I found the car was not stable and seemed to be running in groved pavement. I went to my local Toyota dealer service man and asked for help. He looked at the car from his desk and said the tires were over inflated. I was amazed! However he checked and showed me the front tires read 45 lbs. (I had run 6 miles from cold) He reset the tires to 35 lbs and asked me to check the stability again and call him. I drove 6 miles on I - 85 where I had had trouble, especially following close behind a transfer truck. I had to agree the priblem was 90% corrected.
He said he would still check the front end alinement if I desired but at this time I see no need. I won't run this high tire pressure again even at the cost of a little mileage.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(A. B. Hair @ Jan 14 2007, 01:29 PM) [snapback]375566[/snapback]</div>

Do make sure that the tire pressure in the front is 2 pounds higher than in the back. This differential is designed to address handling and stability issues.