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Continental Cross Contact LX Sport - inflation pressure
My tires were over inflated at purchase - with rears on my 2020 GLC 300 SUV showing 41.5 PSi, and the fronts were ~ 38.5 PSI. Checked cold tire
pressure around sunrise this morning with temperature around 50 degrees.
Using a high quality tire pressure gauge checked all tires this morning - and reduced pressure in all four tires to 35 PSI.
Before the ride was ok but a bit stiff.
Just curious if anyone is running these 18" tires and what you feel works best for your GLC 300's. I'd like to hear your thoughts & comments
re: inflation pressure.
2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
It’s a compromise between ‘comfort’ ride and safety and handling.
Advance driving course will add around 8psi cold. I find on any rim size additional 4psi makes a difference.
Why ? Under heavy braking the tyre collapsed in the middle, by running higher inflation the complete width of the type is on the road, better braking efficiency - if under inflated only the outer edges keep in contact with the ground, causing less efficiency and longer distance to stop.
Higher inflation also ensures tyre does not warp and twist on rim when turning. Too much inflation is just as bad, only the middle touches road - less braking efficiency and wear out tyre quicker. OEM recommended pressure is for comfort and sometimes sees increased edge wear over life of tyre.
Regular tyre rotation and wheel balance and alignment will maximise tyre life.
Try for yourself, But I have found around 4psi extra when cold is optimum.
It’s a compromise between ‘comfort’ ride and safety and handling.
Advance driving course will add around 8psi cold. I find on any rim size additional 4psi makes a difference.
Why ? Under heavy braking the tyre collapsed in the middle, by running higher inflation the complete width of the type is on the road, better braking efficiency - if under inflated only the outer edges keep in contact with the ground, causing less efficiency and longer distance to stop.
Higher inflation also ensures tyre does not warp and twist on rim when turning. Too much inflation is just as bad, only the middle touches road - less braking efficiency and wear out tyre quicker. OEM recommended pressure is for comfort and sometimes sees increased edge wear over life of tyre.
Regular tyre rotation and wheel balance and alignment will maximise tyre life.
Try for yourself, But I have found around 4psi extra when cold is optimum.
There is a old thread here on inflation pressures, may be worth a look
When i had the Scorpions they came around 42 from the factory, and dropping them around 36 helped the ride comfort considerably. I can't speak to handling characteristics as iI don't drive in any sporty manner
What does the max inflation pressure on the sidewall say? I ran these tires in 20" size at max inflation pressure. No perceptible change in ride (subjective), and tire wear was reduced (objective). M-B specifies far too low tire pressure for the North American market in my view. Lots of reasons they do this. If you are at all interested in achieving the max tire life possible, think about airing up to max sidewall inflation pressure.
These tires are poor, in my view. The tread depth when new is insufficient, and the compound is soft to the extent that tire life is poor. They were the factory original tires on my GLE. I have replaced them with LX25s which I think will be a better wearing tire, with the same ride and handling performance, and lower price than the LX Sport.
There is a old thread here on inflation pressures, may be worth a look
When i had the Scorpions they came around 42 from the factory, and dropping them around 36 helped the ride comfort considerably. I can't speak to handling characteristics as iI don't drive in any sporty manner
Thanks read through that thread earlier today. Good info even if in non-sporty mode, lol!
Originally Posted by chassis
What does the max inflation pressure on the sidewall say? I ran these tires in 20" size at max inflation pressure. No perceptible change in ride (subjective), and tire wear was reduced (objective). M-B specifies far too low tire pressure for the North American market in my view. Lots of reasons they do this. If you are at all interested in achieving the max tire life possible, think about airing up to max sidewall inflation pressure.
These tires are poor, in my view. The tread depth when new is insufficient, and the compound is soft to the extent that tire life is poor. They were the factory original tires on my GLE. I have replaced them with LX25s which I think will be a better wearing tire, with the same ride and handling performance, and lower price than the LX Sport.
Max inflation pressure 51 PSI otherwise no info on tire for "normal" inflation pressure. Going between fueling cap inside label, recommendations, and my perceptions. In going with an 18" tire, I was hoping to use really good M&S tires, as I yet to have driven it in any snow this fall. Will probably change to larger, sportier rims for summer tires. either 20/21" tires in late spring.
Interesting that the 2016 GLC tire inflations only shows 35 front and 42 rear, and does not mention anything about minimum (32) or maximum load (35/42). The dealer seems to just air them all to 38 on our car.
I ran the Cross Contact LX Sports at 50 psi cold all the way around. Better tread wear and no detriment on ride (subjective). Ride harshness is poor on 20" wheels to begin with, and 10 psi of inflation pressure didn't change that.
I run 50psi cold all around on the replacement Cross Contact LX25. It's working well so far after 3k-4k miles.
The max inflation is 51 psi as shown on the sidewall - risky going up to 50!. I would simply follow the normal and full load psi inflation stated inside the gas cap
The max inflation is 51 psi as shown on the sidewall - risky going up to 50!. I would simply follow the normal and full load psi inflation stated inside the gas cap
What are the risks of running at 50psi, in your view @MB_Pgh14 ?
What are the risks of running at 50psi, in your view @MB_Pgh14 ?
The only reason to increase tire pressure is to accomate a fully loaded vehicle or for driving at speeds over 100 mph (which Porsche states in their manuals).. So outside of these conditions, you run the risk of either blowing a tire, hydroplaning, or wearing your tires in the middle sections more..So there really isn’t a benefit to over inflation and it’s not recommended. If you want better handeling, get larger diameter wheels with lower profile tires...IMO the MOE run flats already have stiff sidewalls.
The only reason to increase tire pressure is to accomate a fully loaded vehicle or for driving at speeds over 100 mph (which Porsche states in their manuals).. So outside of these conditions, you run the risk of either blowing a tire, hydroplaning, or wearing your tires in the middle sections more..So there really isn’t a benefit to over inflation and it’s not recommended. If you want better handeling, get larger diameter wheels with lower profile tires...IMO the MOE run flats already have stiff sidewalls.
Thanks @MB_Pgh14 . I'm hearing you mention tire wear, hydroplaning and blowout. Tire wear improved (overall slower wear, and more evenly distributed wear) on LX Sports when I inflated to 50psi. I seek neither ride nor handling improvement, but rather best tire wear possible. 50psi seems the way forward for best tire wear. Do you have a feeling for the amount of increased risk of blowout or hydroplaning, going from mid-30s psi to 50psi?
Mercedes specifies tire pressure to avoid customer complaints from ride harshness, and to maximize axle grip at high speed. Daimler engineers are in the autobahn culture, and vehicles are designed to handle predictably at unlimited (vehicle maximum) speeds. In the US the typical speed, and the practical maximum speed, driven is far below what is possible on the German autobahn.
Remember the Ford Explorer/Firestone situation? Automotive engineers have those, and many other, incidents burned into their collective memories. Another one is the Pinto "thermal events" as Ford calls them. Corvair oversteer, etc. These situations get baked into the firmament of automotive design principles.
I think a couple psi is fine, but going above the fully loaded specs doesn’t seem advisable.
Disadvantages of Overinflation
An overinflated tire is stiff and unyielding and the size of its footprint in contact with the road is reduced. If a vehicle's tires are overinflated by 6 psi, they could be damaged more easily when running over potholes or debris in the road. Higher inflated tires cannot isolate road irregularities well, causing them to ride harsher. However, higher inflation pressures usually provide an improvement in steering response and cornering stability up to a point. This is why participants who use street tires in autocrosses, track events and road races run higher than normal inflation pressures. The pressure must be checked with a quality air gauge as the inflation pressure cannot be accurately estimated through visual inspection.
info on hydroplaning, over inflation isn’t mentioned- but you get the idea with less contact of road and tire this is particularly important for those that have a winter season
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