high tire pressure
02-05-2008, 06:53 PM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
high tire pressure
just got my S550. the tire pressure is 40psi all around. think thats too high. the doos sticker says 29 all around. guess thats too low. I usually run 34 in my lexus. any ideas.
02-05-2008, 07:13 PM
#3
Super Member
Thread Starter
02-05-2008, 07:42 PM
#4
Administrator
No flame but this is an MB and not a FORD.
If you don't trust there are ways for you to get the pressure for even wear; but they involve time and effort on your part. One way is to inflate and drive til the tires are at operating temperature. Stop and take a thermometer and take temp readings in the tread grooves of every tire. You'll noticed a difference. Now inflate or deflate, as appropriate and drive again. Stop and repeat. When the temps are about equal you've got the correct pressure in all four. Keep in mind that that will change with the weight, load, etc. Have fun.
Or you can start with the MB suggestions instead of your gut.
If you don't trust there are ways for you to get the pressure for even wear; but they involve time and effort on your part. One way is to inflate and drive til the tires are at operating temperature. Stop and take a thermometer and take temp readings in the tread grooves of every tire. You'll noticed a difference. Now inflate or deflate, as appropriate and drive again. Stop and repeat. When the temps are about equal you've got the correct pressure in all four. Keep in mind that that will change with the weight, load, etc. Have fun.
Or you can start with the MB suggestions instead of your gut.
02-05-2008, 08:02 PM
#5
Check the pressure while the ambient temperature is around 60 to 80 degrees (cold). Typical garage temperature should be fine.
They should be at or near 32 pounds each.
However, I run mine at 40 because mine are staggered width tires and I drive a lot of twisties and this allows me to get almost 10K more miles out of my tires because this keeps the outer edges of my tires from wearing too quickly. I also observe the middle of the tread. If I see the center of the tread is wearing a little too fast, I back the pressure back down to 32 pounds.
Also , if I'm going on a long trip , like I'm doing this weekend, I may lower the pressure to get a more comfortable ride but also because the driving will be straight shot interstate driving. I usually rotate those pressures about every 2000-3000 miles. I have 20,000 miles on my front tires and I wish you could see them. It looks like they still have 10K miles of tread still left on them.
Before I rotated the pressures, I could barely squeeze out 15-18K miles out of a set of staggered width tires!!
They should be at or near 32 pounds each.
However, I run mine at 40 because mine are staggered width tires and I drive a lot of twisties and this allows me to get almost 10K more miles out of my tires because this keeps the outer edges of my tires from wearing too quickly. I also observe the middle of the tread. If I see the center of the tread is wearing a little too fast, I back the pressure back down to 32 pounds.
Also , if I'm going on a long trip , like I'm doing this weekend, I may lower the pressure to get a more comfortable ride but also because the driving will be straight shot interstate driving. I usually rotate those pressures about every 2000-3000 miles. I have 20,000 miles on my front tires and I wish you could see them. It looks like they still have 10K miles of tread still left on them.
Before I rotated the pressures, I could barely squeeze out 15-18K miles out of a set of staggered width tires!!
Last edited by trumpet1; 02-05-2008 at 08:11 PM.
02-05-2008, 08:10 PM
#6
I forgot to mention that I have the original Dunlops on the front and I have brand new Michelins on the back because I ...(ahem)... challenged the original Dunlops a bit. 
Another reason was because I had plugged one of them twice due to running over nails on a couple of occasions and I thought for safety reasons I better not drive them to close to slickness. But in all honesty, I probably got them changed too soon.
Another reason was because I had plugged one of them twice due to running over nails on a couple of occasions and I thought for safety reasons I better not drive them to close to slickness. But in all honesty, I probably got them changed too soon.
02-05-2008, 08:47 PM
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
Tires are obviously rather important for safety and performance/traction/stability....need to be OCD re: tire pressures and tread life....and using climate-appropriate tires....
Trumpet, not sure I'd ever repair perf tires (or wheels)...would replace w/fresh, new tire(s)....$500-$1200 (for one-two replacement tires) is a trivial amt to pay as an "insurance premium" (vs driving w/compromised&repaired tires) if driving a $150K+ car at speeds above even ?30MPH....let alone at speeds for which guys opt for 500hp+ cars....
BTW, any dynamic issues w/using tires of different brands on front vs rear?
Trumpet, not sure I'd ever repair perf tires (or wheels)...would replace w/fresh, new tire(s)....$500-$1200 (for one-two replacement tires) is a trivial amt to pay as an "insurance premium" (vs driving w/compromised&repaired tires) if driving a $150K+ car at speeds above even ?30MPH....let alone at speeds for which guys opt for 500hp+ cars....
BTW, any dynamic issues w/using tires of different brands on front vs rear?
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02-05-2008, 10:05 PM
#8
One thing I'm afraid that I'm going to have to do is get a new left front wheel. I hit a terrible bump and bent the rim! I saw the dent when they were balancing my wheels/tires a month ago. I was wondering why I felt a slight shudder in the steering wheel and sure enough, I saw the dent while they spun it on the machine
02-05-2008, 11:06 PM
#10
02-06-2008, 12:05 AM
#11
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Thread Starter
02-06-2008, 12:41 AM
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
No, I've not noticed a problem at all. I have two brand new Michelins in my garage sitting there for when the time comes to replace the front tires (got a good deal on them 2 months ago and went ahead and bought them). Even though the Dunlops ride great and are holding up pretty good, I'm a Michelin fan and decided to go that route.
One thing I'm afraid that I'm going to have to do is get a new left front wheel. I hit a terrible bump and bent the rim! I saw the dent when they were balancing my wheels/tires a month ago. I was wondering why I felt a slight shudder in the steering wheel and sure enough, I saw the dent while they spun it on the machine
One thing I'm afraid that I'm going to have to do is get a new left front wheel. I hit a terrible bump and bent the rim! I saw the dent when they were balancing my wheels/tires a month ago. I was wondering why I felt a slight shudder in the steering wheel and sure enough, I saw the dent while they spun it on the machine
Given how poor pavement is in most of US, a major, always-present risk w/high speeds is tire/wheel damage/failure and loss of control.....if had an already compromised tire/wheel, would be rather cautious in driving any car at higher speeds (much as I would not want to ever drive a post-collision-repaired car at any speed)....
02-06-2008, 12:46 AM
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
And my recollection is pressure recs were different for 600s w/18" or 19" less-high perf/high-speed tires....and are prob different again for the various tires used on 550s....which incl all-season, etc etc....
02-06-2008, 07:49 AM
#14
Wow, unless I was trading in a car within a wk or two (and just driving around city at <30MPH in interim), I'd get a new wheel....
Given how poor pavement is in most of US, a major, always-present risk w/high speeds is tire/wheel damage/failure and loss of control.....if had an already compromised tire/wheel, would be rather cautious in driving any car at higher speeds (much as I would not want to ever drive a post-collision-repaired car at any speed)....
Given how poor pavement is in most of US, a major, always-present risk w/high speeds is tire/wheel damage/failure and loss of control.....if had an already compromised tire/wheel, would be rather cautious in driving any car at higher speeds (much as I would not want to ever drive a post-collision-repaired car at any speed)....
02-06-2008, 09:31 PM
#15
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