What tire pressure are you running?
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: So Fla
2007 W203 SS
What tire pressure are you running?
Greetings! Newb here... first new post 
I've got a newer set of P Zero Rosso tires and have put approximately 6k miles on them. I was runinng the OEM pressure specs of 28psi front and 30psi rear. I've fooled around with varying pressures and found the best overall pressure turns out to be 35psi. It rides so much smoother on the highway (which I put over 100 miles a day), accelerates/handles better and I'm getting better mileage.
So naturally, I'm curious as to what tire pressure you all are running?
I've got a newer set of P Zero Rosso tires and have put approximately 6k miles on them. I was runinng the OEM pressure specs of 28psi front and 30psi rear. I've fooled around with varying pressures and found the best overall pressure turns out to be 35psi. It rides so much smoother on the highway (which I put over 100 miles a day), accelerates/handles better and I'm getting better mileage.
So naturally, I'm curious as to what tire pressure you all are running?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
I really depends on the tire and the sidewall stiffness. The factory recommended 28F and 32R is a good starting point, but tends to be a little bit too low for most tires. Having had several different tires on my car, I have had varying pressures to get best mileage, wear, and handling. Use of a pyrometer is the best way to adjust pressure. Just adjust until you have even temp across the tread. You can do a fairly good job with chalk across the tread and get the chalk to wear off evenly. Or just use a tread depth gauge and adjust as the tire wears. Because of the large caster angle built into the front suspension it is best to run the tires with a bit more pressure, I currently run 33F and 36R on Michelin Pilot A/S+ tires. This was adjusted with a pyrometer.
PS: Welcome to the forum!
PS: Welcome to the forum!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: So Fla
2007 W203 SS
I really depends on the tire and the sidewall stiffness. The factory recommended 28F and 32R is a good starting point, but tends to be a little bit too low for most tires. Having had several different tires on my car, I have had varying pressures to get best mileage, wear, and handling. Use of a pyrometer is the best way to adjust pressure. Just adjust until you have even temp across the tread. You can do a fairly good job with chalk across the tread and get the chalk to wear off evenly. Or just use a tread depth gauge and adjust as the tire wears. Because of the large caster angle built into the front suspension it is best to run the tires with a bit more pressure, I currently run 33F and 36R on Michelin Pilot A/S+ tires. This was adjusted with a pyrometer.
PS: Welcome to the forum!
PS: Welcome to the forum!
I don't have a pyrometer but quite often I let approximately 15psi of warmer (Florida) air out of all 4 tires prior to filling them with cooler air. Helps to obtain a more consistent and uniform pressure.
PS: Thank you
That is the kind of information that I really need to know! I had to lower the pressure in the rear tires on my Z28 to help prevent excess wear in the middle of them. I'll have to monitor the wear on the C now as well. Thanks
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
The 28F 32R OEM recommendations are too low. I ran that pressure for 30k miles on my last set of tires and had poor results, especially in the front. I have 9,000 miles on Conti DWS tires right now that were directionally rotated at 6,000 miles and run 34F 36R and are wearing evenly and are still perfectly quiet.
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From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
The 28F 32R OEM recommendations are too low. I ran that pressure for 30k miles on my last set of tires and had poor results, especially in the front. I have 9,000 miles on Conti DWS tires right now that were directionally rotated at 6,000 miles and run 34F 36R and are wearing evenly and are still perfectly quiet.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Just curious what rear tires are you running? My OEM Michelin Primacy's ran OEM pressure in the rear and wore even. Every tire since has needed a pressure boost.
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From: So Fla
2007 W203 SS
You beat me to it John...
Last edited by DrgnflyZ28; Apr 13, 2010 at 12:16 PM. Reason: John was quicker at posting ;-)
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From: VA
2005 c230k ss, 2005 Land Rover LR3, 2006 Honda S2000
I'm running sumitomo htr+. Cheap tires i know, but my wife drives it 150mi a day, all interstate, so I figured let her burn through those instead of anything more expensive. The fronts are wearing great even after 22k and the tires have a UTQG of 360. For what I paid I really dont care if I get 20k or less. But the DWS seem like a great value too
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
The 28F 32R OEM recommendations are too low. I ran that pressure for 30k miles on my last set of tires and had poor results, especially in the front. I have 9,000 miles on Conti DWS tires right now that were directionally rotated at 6,000 miles and run 34F 36R and are wearing evenly and are still perfectly quiet.
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From: Northern CA
CLK55 AMG, SL55 AMG, C55 AMG
Upgraded to 18" rims and Falken 912's and run 34 psi in front and 36psi rear which has been a good compromise of ride and handling. OEM suggested rates for stock tires is ok, but a little soft IMO.
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From: Orange County, CA
2006 C230 SS, 2006 S500, 2008 CLS550 Lorinser
i run 34 all around and get GREAT milegae plus a smooth, quiet ride, and the handling is still amazing, i did 32, 35, and the Pirelli recommended pressure, and i found 34 to be the best!
Currently though one of my Pirelli P Zero Rosso''s is at 0 PSI because it blewout after about 8k miles lol
Currently though one of my Pirelli P Zero Rosso''s is at 0 PSI because it blewout after about 8k miles
lol
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
The DWS tires are actually very good. Amazing wet traction and great snow traction, not that snow is an issue anymore (or ever really was here in GA). I really haven't pushed my car in the 9,000 miles I've ran the DWS tires like I used to with the Kumho Ecsta ASX. Those developed outer wear on the treads by 20,000 miles and I was told that it was not a pressure issue but a "you take corners too fast" issue - which I am guilty. For the sake of tire and suspension wear (I have some front end popping from steering), I'm taking it easier on the C230 lately. The good news is that gas mileage has shot way up to about 29mpg in mixed driving, mid-30s on the highway, and 26 around town. Anyone who buys the DWS tires or any tire that is not directional should rotate left-to-right across the axle every 6,000 miles for optimum wear and less tire noise. I really noticed a difference when I did this rotation at 6,000.
I may be about to take a job that requires me to have a long commute where I'll put about 1,100 miles on the C230 a week. This should be fun. I'm at 78,600.
I may be about to take a job that requires me to have a long commute where I'll put about 1,100 miles on the C230 a week. This should be fun. I'm at 78,600.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; Apr 13, 2010 at 10:44 PM.
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2005 C230K sport
Glad it's not just me. When we bought the car for my wife, the rear BFG's were just about bald in the center. I had a new set of Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sports put on about a year and a half ago and they've already worn in the center almost to the wear indicator. Probably have 20K miles on them if that. I'm currently running the factory pressure, so maybe I'll drop it down a couple of PSI. Wonder why it does that? Is the rear of the car that light? Is the recommended PSI so high as to compensate for when you have passengers or heavy loads in the trunk?
Thread Starter
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From: So Fla
2007 W203 SS
I'm running sumitomo htr+. Cheap tires i know, but my wife drives it 150mi a day, all interstate, so I figured let her burn through those instead of anything more expensive. The fronts are wearing great even after 22k and the tires have a UTQG of 360. For what I paid I really dont care if I get 20k or less. But the DWS seem like a great value too
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2005 C320 Sport, 2010 C300 Sport
I'm still running the factory specs on my car and I hate it. It always feels like my fronts are flat. Gonna change it up when I get new tires and see how things work out.
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From: New Jersey, USA
Black 04 C230 Kompressor SS
I'm running sumitomo htr+. Cheap tires i know, but my wife drives it 150mi a day, all interstate, so I figured let her burn through those instead of anything more expensive. The fronts are wearing great even after 22k and the tires have a UTQG of 360. For what I paid I really dont care if I get 20k or less. But the DWS seem like a great value too
