What a price !

This makes tires faster

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/0-60-...QQcmdZViewItem

I understand why MB recommends a pressure that is much lower than the max and also understand that it is probably better for handling, however, if a person is looking to sustain say 19 tires that are very expensive...having a lower tire pressure may not be the best choice. Yes, you'll get better handling, but is it worth having to buy new tires more often?

Plus, since I'm not on OEM tires anymore, adjustments needed to be made.

remember guys - the door recommendations are generic for all C-class cars, even the ones that come with 15"/16" wheels and tires. I also agree that running slightly higher pressures are better for the sport sedans.

Agreed that adjustments must be made but running at 40 /44 seems way too high.

You could always do the chalk method of determining the correct pressure, and old racer trick

It seems MB is altogether undecided on their suggested tire pressures.
Trust you have 225/45/17 & 245/40/17s.

My door jamb sticker recommends 32/35 and 36/39, contingent, of course, upon the vehicle's load.

The fuel door sticker insists upon 29/35 and 35/42. However, the pressures must be adjusted (higher) for "continuous driving above 130 MPH..." Wish I could pull off those maneuvers more frequently!

The operator's manual states that ..."pressures listed for light loads are minimum values offering high driving comfort. Increased inflation pressures for heavy loads produce favorable handling characteristics with lighter loads and are perfectly permissible. The ride of the vehicle, however, will be somewhat harder..."

I concur with many on this forum that you should start with the higher pressures, and adjust them accordingly to suit your driving style.

Welcome to MBWorld!

I agree with an addition, I use a depth gage to measure the wear from inside, center, and outside and I can adjust pressure for best wear. But then I adjust them lower for playing on the track. I use the Snap On dial gage with half psi increments. I just purchased the adjustable camber arms for the rear to make it closer to 0 degree's for commuting. But then I turn it back to 1-1.5 degree's for track.

what's the chalk method?

This is an autocrosser's trick. You use chalk or white shoe polish on the shoulder of your tires. Then drive as aggressively as you normally would. If you are rolling over too far into the sidewall, the chalk or white shoe polish will have worn off and you will know to add more tire pressure to help reduce sidewall deflection.

On my C230 Coupe, it's recommended to run 28 psi front, 32 psi rear. Since I feel that there's already too much understeer stock, I ran 32 psi all around. But since installing John Goodlad's C32 sway bars, I've increased the tire pressure to 35 psi all around.

Bob

thank you very much! i'll actually try this soon...trying to do anything to just up my mileage a bit....even run slow enough to let car shift at 2200 or so

i guess i might do a 35/35 all around, but i want thread life to last, 19inch tires are lot of money, but i still need safety, any idea?? last week i put almost 40psi on my front tire and when i make a right turn into freeway my car spin out w/o the ESP warning triangle light on. it was a heavy rainstorm day it scare the ***** out of me....

I put 34 all around on my 19s.

I am currently using 35psi all around nitrogen. just started with Continentals DW in Florida weather. Will report back on any unusual wear pattern.

I have stock wheels with Hankook tires (C230 SS) but noticed the front wheels a little buldging at the bottom when parked. I believe I'm running 36.5 front 38.5 back. I've read a lot of people running much lower (32F, 34-36R) and I'm thinking how is that possible if I'm feeling flat in the front at 36? Should I up the ante to 38F, 40R? I drive approximately 60-80 miles a day 90% highway and I'm in Texas so it'll definitely start getting hotter (100+F) here shortly. Thanks!

The 32/36 pressure (which I run) is cold. Potentially, you're reading yours when hot (not that it's probably ever that cold there)?

Also, I know that my fronts always look like they're flatter than they really are, especially if the wheels are turned.

Yes, I actually do always check after they've been ran for a good 15-20 mins. I just feel iffy with the tire appearance looking sagging (or underflated while sitting).

I have 225/45/17's all around and have 34 in the back, 29 in the front. The only time I've ever had a problem was gunning it out of a median turn while raining and the car just rotated away from the street 90 degrees.
Handling seems great...no accidental drifting(lol) no screeching sounds when turning... front tires look very slightly underinflated when just sitting there though.
Nearly all miles are "city" even though im going like 55...and always in Houston.