E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

What tire pressures are you guys running?

Old Mar 23, 2003 | 07:35 PM
  #1  
NuBenz's Avatar
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From: Houston, TX
02 996 C2 Cabrio
What tire pressures are you guys running?

E500 sport with 245/45/17 Continental SportContact 2 tires. The fuel filler cap recommends 29F/35R psi (cold pressures) for speeds above 100 mph.

Are they kidding? I was thinking more like 34-36 psi front and 32-34 psi rear. Max cold pressure is 51 psi for the SportContact 2's.

I'm going to start experimenting with pressures, but wanted to know what you all were running...

Thanks.
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Old Mar 23, 2003 | 07:42 PM
  #2  
MPTLPTR's Avatar
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W211
I'm running 32 on the front and 34 on the rear with my H rated ContiTouring tires.
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Old Mar 23, 2003 | 08:10 PM
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marksatex's Avatar
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04' E500 w/Appear. PKG, Panorama Roof
How is the ride? I was doing the suggested 26/32 and it feels smooth.... Concerned about premature wear. I have always run tires hard... 32/34?
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Old Mar 23, 2003 | 08:53 PM
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W211
Ride is still very smooth and handling has not gotten worse (I had mine at 28 for a few days). I really think 26 for the fronts is too low.
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Old Mar 23, 2003 | 09:09 PM
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so what would you guys consider. we want a smoother ride from our tires, any suggestions for the front and the rear, tia
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Old Mar 23, 2003 | 09:45 PM
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04' E500 w/Appear. PKG, Panorama Roof
I am going to try 32/34 like MPTLPTR even though mine are the "W" series. Should be fine
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Old Mar 23, 2003 | 10:55 PM
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From: Houston, TX
02 996 C2 Cabrio
Hey guys, check this out...

I set my tires to "factory spec" as recommended on the inside of the gas lid. For speeds above 100 mph, Mercedes says 29/35 F/R.

So, I check my tires with my trusty gauge and WHOA! I have 40 psi in the front and about 38 in the rear! Hahaha... why do tires always come overinflated from the dealer? It must surely be due to transit on the ship, but why wouldn't they double check pressures before the customer takes delivery?

Anyway, so I drop the fronts to 29 psi and the rears to 35 psi, and I think everything's cool. Later, on a drive to dinner, after starting the car I was greeted with a tire pressure WARNING! screen. Guess what it said: "Warning! Low tire pressure... front right... front left..."

Go figure. Set the tires to "factory spec" printed inside the car and it disagrees with the TPMS.

So, I pumped the fronts up to 36 psi and kept the rears at 35 psi. All the warnings were gone. Then the TPMS kicks on while I'm on the road reading 40 psi front and 38 psi rear at speed on the highway. It seems like a nice system, but I can't seem to get it to read static pressures when the car is parked...

Well, I'm going to be experimenting with different pressures for a while!
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Old Mar 24, 2003 | 08:30 AM
  #8  
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From: Commerce City,Colorado
2003 E500
Tire Pressure

I have my Continentals set to 39 all around. The max pressure on the tires are rated at 50 psi. The tire pressure monitor system will change depending on road temp and outside air temp by as much as 3 lbs. On a warm day the tires show 41-42 lbs and might be 1 lb different depending what side of the car the sun is on. I have asked this question before and always been told that the tire pressure on the tires is what is recommended. But I use the chalk test to determine the best pressure for tire wear. ( Chalk test-- mark your tread with chalk 3-4 inch strip and drive the car forward a few feet and see where the chalk wears off. If the edges wear off, ADD air and if the center wears off, Reduce air. Do this until the chalk strip is uniformed. )
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Old Mar 24, 2003 | 04:36 PM
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I'm so impressed with you guys! I haven't a clue!lol I guess I'll have to check this out. They don't look flat to me.
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