Tire Pressure?
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
Tire Pressure?
What would be the optimum tire pressure to get an even wear (talking about even on outside/center of a tire)?
Sticker on door says 28/33 but everytime I asked my dealer/mechanic, I got a different answer (which was never 28/33). 28 seems really low, no?
Summer 225/45R17 Front and 245/40R17 Back
Winter 225/45R17 Front and Back
I'm currently at 31psi F/B on my winter set. Only 450 miles on summer set and 800 miles on winter set, so I'd like to get a more formal answer before I scrap my tires with uneven wear. (yes, a huge 1250 miles in 4 months)
Sticker on door says 28/33 but everytime I asked my dealer/mechanic, I got a different answer (which was never 28/33). 28 seems really low, no?
Summer 225/45R17 Front and 245/40R17 Back
Winter 225/45R17 Front and Back
I'm currently at 31psi F/B on my winter set. Only 450 miles on summer set and 800 miles on winter set, so I'd like to get a more formal answer before I scrap my tires with uneven wear. (yes, a huge 1250 miles in 4 months)
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Bay, FL
09 C350
Stick with the sticker (no pun intended), unless you're going aftermarket. To tell you the truth I wouldn't trust the dealership anyway. I was in there on Saturday getting my new rims put on, and they under-filled my rears by 4 pounds of pressure. The C350 with 18's runs at 33 front 38 rear and they had both front and rear at 34.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 600
Likes: 2
From: Northern California
09' E350 AMG Sport, 09' C300, 03' Honda S2K
The people in the C63 forum says they run 39 all around, is that correct even for our C the fact that our engine is not nearly as heave as the C63 engine.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 2
From: Southeast
2008 C300 Sport, RWD, US
Caperone,
I've got 48,000 miles on my 2008 C300 which has the original Michelin Pilot MXM4s.
I have been fanatic about keeping the tire pressure at the recommended 28/33. For the most part, the ride has been uncomfortable and a little on the noisy side.
The wear pattern on the rear ties shows more wear in the center than the sides...which indicates that the tires were over inflated.....for the load it was carrying.
If you take a look at the gas filler cap, you'll see that it says 28/33 at maximum load which I think means 4 people in the vehicle and the trunk full.
So, I lowered the tire pressure to 27.5/hair over 31. Now the car rides and sounds like what you would have expected.
As a side note, a few months back when I was still running 28/33, a friend of mine whose over 300lbs was riding shotgun for about a 90 mile trip. The car road better than usual and as I suspected, the extra weight made a difference.
To answer your question, I would have to say that the best tire pressure will depend on how much weight you are carrying. If its just you and you're not large, go with 27.5/31. If you usually carry a car load...then 28/33. Just watch the wear pattern on the tires.
On the 2008 model, the ride is different than on the 2010 model...so, you may not experience the harshness that I experienced. I just can't believe that I could have had a better and quieter ride had I known this two years ago.
I've got 48,000 miles on my 2008 C300 which has the original Michelin Pilot MXM4s.
I have been fanatic about keeping the tire pressure at the recommended 28/33. For the most part, the ride has been uncomfortable and a little on the noisy side.
The wear pattern on the rear ties shows more wear in the center than the sides...which indicates that the tires were over inflated.....for the load it was carrying.
If you take a look at the gas filler cap, you'll see that it says 28/33 at maximum load which I think means 4 people in the vehicle and the trunk full.
So, I lowered the tire pressure to 27.5/hair over 31. Now the car rides and sounds like what you would have expected.
As a side note, a few months back when I was still running 28/33, a friend of mine whose over 300lbs was riding shotgun for about a 90 mile trip. The car road better than usual and as I suspected, the extra weight made a difference.
To answer your question, I would have to say that the best tire pressure will depend on how much weight you are carrying. If its just you and you're not large, go with 27.5/31. If you usually carry a car load...then 28/33. Just watch the wear pattern on the tires.
On the 2008 model, the ride is different than on the 2010 model...so, you may not experience the harshness that I experienced. I just can't believe that I could have had a better and quieter ride had I known this two years ago.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 600
Likes: 2
From: Northern California
09' E350 AMG Sport, 09' C300, 03' Honda S2K
My question is, it ok to run the stock tire pressure recomendation with aftermarket wheels? I have C63 rims on mines now and am wondering if it is ok to run 28/33, Louis is running 36 all around.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 9
From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
The oem pressure spec is based on five 150 lbs peps in car and a few hundred in the trunk, as a max load basis. MB then adds some extra psi to the rear spec for some reason, even on the 4MATIC. The plate pressures go with the oem tire load rating (not the size), and must satisfy the max load condition.
And as JimPa said, you can adjust pressures to within reason. We rarely have more than 1 or 2 in car. I run 32 fr and rr, more than the plate's 28 up front for pothole survival, and less than the 35 rear for comfort. I run 35 fr and rr when loaded up for a trip.
The oem tire load rating is 91 for all W204's (except for the AMG). IF you run lower tire ratings, like 89, you need to up the pressure a bit.
And as JimPa said, you can adjust pressures to within reason. We rarely have more than 1 or 2 in car. I run 32 fr and rr, more than the plate's 28 up front for pothole survival, and less than the 35 rear for comfort. I run 35 fr and rr when loaded up for a trip.
The oem tire load rating is 91 for all W204's (except for the AMG). IF you run lower tire ratings, like 89, you need to up the pressure a bit.
Last edited by kevink2; Feb 23, 2010 at 11:05 PM.
