Proper Tire Inflation Pressures
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Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Chicago Area
2019 AMG E53
Proper Tire Inflation Pressures
I have a 2019 E53 AMG Sedan. Best car I ever had, bar none. I run Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires in the summer and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 winter tires (Chicago area). The summer sizes are standard, 245/40R19 in front and 275/35R19 rear. The winter sizes are 245/40R19 all around.
Recently I was out of town in Minnesota and one of the winter tires was destroyed (totally bald spot in the middle). I had been running with the gas cap cover pressures, 41 psi in front and 42 psi in rear. Since the tires were old by this time I ordered a whole new set of Alpin 5's from the out-of-town Mercedes dealer. When I drove away I saw that the pressures were only 36 psi all around. I went back to ask about it, and was told that this dealer believed in using 36 psi because the official pressures were too high and the tires wore badly. I then did some online research and found that the european spec for my car with my size tires are 36F/36R for the winter sizes and 36F/39R for the summer sizes.
I tend to believe the european specs are better, since I think Mercedes might have been stretching the pressures in the USA for better gas mileage. Thoughts?
Recently I was out of town in Minnesota and one of the winter tires was destroyed (totally bald spot in the middle). I had been running with the gas cap cover pressures, 41 psi in front and 42 psi in rear. Since the tires were old by this time I ordered a whole new set of Alpin 5's from the out-of-town Mercedes dealer. When I drove away I saw that the pressures were only 36 psi all around. I went back to ask about it, and was told that this dealer believed in using 36 psi because the official pressures were too high and the tires wore badly. I then did some online research and found that the european spec for my car with my size tires are 36F/36R for the winter sizes and 36F/39R for the summer sizes.
I tend to believe the european specs are better, since I think Mercedes might have been stretching the pressures in the USA for better gas mileage. Thoughts?
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2018 AMG E43
Your out-of-town dealer was right IMO. I run mine 36psi (cold) all around and I've found it to be more compliant (better ride) and handles better compared to 40psi+ (cold).
Running 40psi+ (cold) is primarily the suggested pressures if you spend the majority of your driving with 5 people and their luggage in the car (max load).
Running 40psi+ (cold) is primarily the suggested pressures if you spend the majority of your driving with 5 people and their luggage in the car (max load).
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2018 AMG E43
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From: Chicago Area
2019 AMG E53
The pressures I have quoted from my gas cap cover are for light loads, that is, summer 41 psi front and rear, winter tires 41 front and 42 rear. The pressures for heavy loads are 44 front, 45 rear for summer, and 44-49 for winter tires. Did Mercedes realize their mistake on 2019 models, and correct for 2020?
The standard tires were run-flats. Mine are not. I changed them out to conventional performance tires.
The standard tires were run-flats. Mine are not. I changed them out to conventional performance tires.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Florida
2018 AMG E43
I'd like to add that my input here is just my opinion based upon my experiences with this car. It doesn't necessarily mean I'm right.
Manufacturers' specifications are never guesswork and they are determined through extensive engineering and testing for all common scenarios so it's difficult to say they are wrong, but end users like myself like to tweak things for my particular situation.
Just something to keep in mind that variances from manufacturers' specs may involve a certain amount of uncertainty.
Manufacturers' specifications are never guesswork and they are determined through extensive engineering and testing for all common scenarios so it's difficult to say they are wrong, but end users like myself like to tweak things for my particular situation.
Just something to keep in mind that variances from manufacturers' specs may involve a certain amount of uncertainty.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 10
From: Chicago Area
2019 AMG E53
I'd like to add that my input here is just my opinion based upon my experiences with this car. It doesn't necessarily mean I'm right.
Manufacturers' specifications are never guesswork and they are determined through extensive engineering and testing for all common scenarios so it's difficult to say they are wrong, but end users like myself like to tweak things for my particular situation.
Just something to keep in mind that variances from manufacturers' specs may involve a certain amount of uncertainty.
Manufacturers' specifications are never guesswork and they are determined through extensive engineering and testing for all common scenarios so it's difficult to say they are wrong, but end users like myself like to tweak things for my particular situation.
Just something to keep in mind that variances from manufacturers' specs may involve a certain amount of uncertainty.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,430
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From: Florida
2018 AMG E43
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2020 E53 AMG
Inevitably a different formula for the pressure is being dictated by the EU, US DOT or whoever. The obvious difference is that we don't have roads with unlimited speeds in North America. Average temp probably plays into it, perhaps seasonal range in temps. I'd guess European market tires have differences to NA tires depending on manufacturer and whatever rules apply.
For example Calgary has a real range in excess of 60 deg C through a year, max possible is closer to 80 deg C. Florida so far as I can guess has a 10 deg range! Just making the point.
For example Calgary has a real range in excess of 60 deg C through a year, max possible is closer to 80 deg C. Florida so far as I can guess has a 10 deg range! Just making the point.
Last edited by YYC53; Apr 28, 2024 at 08:27 PM.
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1993 300SL,2007 RAM 2500,2009 CLK350,2011 ML550,2016 McLaren 650S,2018 AMG E63s wgn,2018 AMG SLC43
On the racetrack, proper cold tire pressure is determined by going out for a few laps and rechecking the tire pressure immediately after pulling into the pits. If memory serves from my time pitting for a friend racing AFM (motorcycles), I believe 3-4 psi increase corresponds to the desired tire temperature. (measuring tire temperature is obviously more direct, although I don't know where you find out what Michelin, for example, says is proper tire operating temperature.)
In road use, the same approach applies... drive a twisty road where grip is important and measure tire pressure.
In this way, you're not relying on "feel" but rather a metric correlated to tire temperature (and grip).
Just a thought. I'm not tire expert, but wanted to toss in the idea of measuring pressure before/after.
Darrel
In road use, the same approach applies... drive a twisty road where grip is important and measure tire pressure.
In this way, you're not relying on "feel" but rather a metric correlated to tire temperature (and grip).
Just a thought. I'm not tire expert, but wanted to toss in the idea of measuring pressure before/after.
Darrel
Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 249
Likes: 49
2020 E53 AMG
On the racetrack, proper cold tire pressure is determined by going out for a few laps and rechecking the tire pressure immediately after pulling into the pits. If memory serves from my time pitting for a friend racing AFM (motorcycles), I believe 3-4 psi increase corresponds to the desired tire temperature. (measuring tire temperature is obviously more direct, although I don't know where you find out what Michelin, for example, says is proper tire operating temperature.)
In road use, the same approach applies... drive a twisty road where grip is important and measure tire pressure.
In this way, you're not relying on "feel" but rather a metric correlated to tire temperature (and grip).
Just a thought. I'm not tire expert, but wanted to toss in the idea of measuring pressure before/after.
Darrel
In road use, the same approach applies... drive a twisty road where grip is important and measure tire pressure.
In this way, you're not relying on "feel" but rather a metric correlated to tire temperature (and grip).
Just a thought. I'm not tire expert, but wanted to toss in the idea of measuring pressure before/after.
Darrel
But you're certainly right, the reference temp of when the pressure was set and when the performance observation is made is the entire point.
