best tire pressure?

[Desolator144]

I need to know the correct tire pressure for my unique situation. Instead of the stock (I assume) Firestone Firehawks that were pretty shredded when I bought my cougar used, I put on 4 matching Kumho Ecsta ASX and I'm pretty sure they're 215 sized ones instead of 205. It's a 2000 V6, standard release like not ZN or anything but it has the convenience package with cruise and the special warning lights and door lock and hatcback remote and all that. My sticker inside the door is gone for some reason but I don't have the stock tires anyway so it's probably not the same. Also my trunk is about 40-50 pounds lighter than a normal one so that may change the recommended pressure ratios slightly. And of course, the online estimates are different everywhere I check. So what pressure should they be?

[Tygerr]

I keep mine at 32psi. They won't change much between the stocks. 32psi is 32psi regardless of tire size.

[marinofan]

I would guess that the tire has some numbers on the size that follow the phrase (Max Tire pressure) Thats what I fill to.

and mine are at 40

[Desolator144]

I inflated my Mercury Tracer's tires to the amount listed on the side and the traction was so awful it was unbelievable. I mean it was like someone buttered them. That's cuz it bulged them out in the middle so way less was touching the road. And I brought it in for a scheduled oil change a week later and the people were like WTF, you're never supposed to put them at that rated amount, that's like a maximum. And that kinda makes sense cuz those tired could go on my 2600 pound tracer or a 3500 pound car so the pressure's gonna be different. But if you only go by the vehicle's ratings, while different tire models recommend different pressures, that won't be accurate either. But if you ask people who drive a cougar, then it's accurate lol.

[Bergie_dark by design]

mine are at 33 - 35 on kumho escta ultra sport

[B3NN3TT]

I think I ran mine at about 36 psi.

You need to feel the tire surface and see how the heat is distributing to tell for certain.

Weight is not an issue. 6000 pound F-350's have similar tire pressures as Honda Civics.

[sonza68]

Different tire models will have different sweet spots, but for stock size 16s somewhere in the 32-36 psi range should be good.

[BBF2530]

Originally Posted by Desolator144

I need to know the correct tire pressure for my unique situation. Instead of the stock (I assume) Firestone Firehawks that were pretty shredded when I bought my cougar used, I put on 4 matching Kumho Ecsta ASX and I'm pretty sure they're 215 sized ones instead of 205. It's a 2000 V6, standard release like not ZN or anything but it has the convenience package with cruise and the special warning lights and door lock and hatcback remote and all that. My sticker inside the door is gone for some reason but I don't have the stock tires anyway so it's probably not the same. Also my trunk is about 40-50 pounds lighter than a normal one so that may change the recommended pressure ratios slightly. And of course, the online estimates are different everywhere I check. So what pressure should they be?

Hi Desolator. Unless the passenger side door was replaced for some reason, there should still be a sticker there. Open your passenger side door and look on the trailing (back) edge of the door (not the door jamb).

Anyway, the Manufacturer (Ford) recommended pressure is 30 PSI (front and rear) for the 205/60's, and 32 PSI (front and rear) for the 215/50's. Keep in mind that Ford's recommendation is a guideline that is also weighted towards ride comfort.

Ideally, you can add an additional 2-3 PSI over the recommended pressure to get better gas mileage, handling and tire wear. Most people will not notice or mind the slightly harder ride. However, the laws of diminishing returns do apply here. Just because 2-3 extra PSI is good, does not mean that 7-8 extra PSI is better. Too high, and your ride, handling and tire wear will suffer, and the harsher ride will place extra wear on your suspension components.

As some others have already stated here, do not approach the "Maximum Cold Pressure" recommendation which is molded on the tire sidewall. If anyone doubts that advice, just go to any major tire manufacturer website or the website of any major tire retailer like The Tire Rack or Discount Tire, and read their FAQ's. They will all say the same thing: "Never inflate your tires to the 'Maximum Pressure' that is molded into the side of the tire".

I keep the tires on my Cougar (215/50's) inflated to 35 PSI.

Good luck.

[Desolator144]

well it turns out I have the 215's now that I actually checked. I went to the gas station and got all my pressures set to 33. I figured I'd try that and see what the MPG sensor says then go to 34 or 35 and see if the traction is the same and if the MPG improves. Either way it's above recommended so I'm happy. But holy damn, the pressures were ****ed up! The only one I ever added pressure to myself was front left and that one was at 34.5. As for the others, either the oil change place or the tire place seriously ****ed it up cuz one was 29, one was 38, and the front right was 61 PSI!!! That's 10 above the max listed on the tire. And I measured three times, it seriously was. I dunno wtf they were thinking but I had to let air out of that thing for a good 20 seconds to get it down in the 30's. So it's a good thing I checked them! Now I have another thing to tell the oil change people to stay away from! I already tell them not to add wiper fluids cuz I like my brand and not to touch my K&N air filter and now I'm telling them to stay away from the tire pressure no matter how much they wanna fill it into the 60s

[Frosty]

Get one of those digital tire pressure gauges and check your tire pressure once a week. I wouldn't trust the people at an oil change joint.