Tire Pressures?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 3
From: Orlando, Florida, USA
09CLK550Cab 61k miles
Tire Pressures?
What tire pressures do you guys run? I have stock 17" tires on my CLK500Cab, and I noticed the center of my rear tires (245/40R17) was worn more, so I lowered from 34 psi to 29.5 psi until it evens out.
I'm running my brand new Micheling Pilot Sport PS2 fronts (225/45R17) at 33 psi for now, since I think the front needs more than the back.
What do you guys do for best wear/most even wear?
Also, what tires do you run? What do you think of the ContiSportContact (orig/2/3) vs. the PS2s?
I'm running my brand new Micheling Pilot Sport PS2 fronts (225/45R17) at 33 psi for now, since I think the front needs more than the back.
What do you guys do for best wear/most even wear?
Also, what tires do you run? What do you think of the ContiSportContact (orig/2/3) vs. the PS2s?
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 38
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1977 6.9; 2007 CLK350
I have a CLK350 so it isn't going to match. However, anybody can use this technique.
Get a tread depth measurer and check your pressures and tread depth each month. Adjust pressures for even wear. This will be even wear for your type of driving, not the average the factory must use. Only change by a couple of pounds per month. You will notice it quickly enough. Don't overcorrect to try to compensate.
My CLK350 calls for 30F 35R for high speed driving. I think it is 28/30 for normal driving. I use 30F 33R all the time.
I find front engine cars almost always need a couple more pounds in the front. Most manufacturers build in understeer and tend to underinflate. I find, for street tires, more in the front relative to the rear seems to help. So, instead of 30/35, I use 30/33.
Note, for correctly inflated or overinflated tires, you go in the opposite direction. It took me a long time to figure that out.
Get a tread depth measurer and check your pressures and tread depth each month. Adjust pressures for even wear. This will be even wear for your type of driving, not the average the factory must use. Only change by a couple of pounds per month. You will notice it quickly enough. Don't overcorrect to try to compensate.
My CLK350 calls for 30F 35R for high speed driving. I think it is 28/30 for normal driving. I use 30F 33R all the time.
I find front engine cars almost always need a couple more pounds in the front. Most manufacturers build in understeer and tend to underinflate. I find, for street tires, more in the front relative to the rear seems to help. So, instead of 30/35, I use 30/33.
Note, for correctly inflated or overinflated tires, you go in the opposite direction. It took me a long time to figure that out.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 74
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From: Berkeley Heights, NJ
2012 E350 4Matic Wagon
I have an '04 CLK500, and I use the pressure recommended on the inside of the fuel door - 35F/38R. I'm also using nitrogen. I wanted a bit wider tire in the back instead of the standard 245, so there are less tire options. I got Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season tires, since they make them in a 17" 255 width, and they were highly rated at the Tire Rack. I was assured that the extra width would fit, and they do. I didn't want to mess with separate snow tires, so I am giving up some cornering for all year round ease. I have a friend who bought separate snow tires on steel wheels, and bent three of the rims over the winter. I think I have her convinced to go with all season tires for next winter. Plus I'm the guy who has to drag her tires out of her car each winter and spring to her attic. A hassle.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 3
From: Orlando, Florida, USA
09CLK550Cab 61k miles
So I can see that knowing the best tire pressure is no easy task it turns out.
rbpeirce: I agree that your data gathering technique will get the needed results...eventually. I'm lazy, etc., so I just wanted the magic answer delivered to me on a silver platter. But that's not going to happen is it?
I'm looking to get the best, most even tire wear, since these are $600 or so per pair (installed) for the front two tires. Here's the links I found tonight:
https://mbworld.org/forums/archive/i...p/t-27432.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...light=pressure
It jives with what I was finding, that my CLK500, with the heavy engine in the front, needs more pressure in the narrower front tires to have even wear and sit correctly (30psi seemed to be too low to my untrained eye). 34 in the back was too high because of the center rib being worn down more.
My current thought is 33F/31R for even wear. Maybe 34-35F and 31-32R?
One of the guys in the links said (on 04 CLK55 with same tire sizes as mine):
"For EVEN tire wear - new tires: 38F/35R
You get UNEVEN wear if you follow the pressures listed on the gas filler door: 33/33"
rbpeirce: I agree that your data gathering technique will get the needed results...eventually. I'm lazy, etc., so I just wanted the magic answer delivered to me on a silver platter. But that's not going to happen is it?
I'm looking to get the best, most even tire wear, since these are $600 or so per pair (installed) for the front two tires. Here's the links I found tonight:
https://mbworld.org/forums/archive/i...p/t-27432.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...light=pressure
It jives with what I was finding, that my CLK500, with the heavy engine in the front, needs more pressure in the narrower front tires to have even wear and sit correctly (30psi seemed to be too low to my untrained eye). 34 in the back was too high because of the center rib being worn down more.
My current thought is 33F/31R for even wear. Maybe 34-35F and 31-32R?
One of the guys in the links said (on 04 CLK55 with same tire sizes as mine):
"For EVEN tire wear - new tires: 38F/35R
You get UNEVEN wear if you follow the pressures listed on the gas filler door: 33/33"
