Tyre Pressure on 16" Wheels

[JasperJ]

Have done a search and cannot really find a definitive answer on this, so really looking for some advice - please. Searching on this topic it would seem that most people are running at 24psi on 18”. Anyone know if it’s the same for 16”. Should have checked mine earlier - but they are all running at 29psi.. any suggestions? In the manual (225/50 ZR 16) it has 28psi as the regular tyre pressure and 30psi front and 32psi rear for track use (its a T350c manual - which I'm sure will make no difference..thanks in advance..

[Targarama]

Well my Chimaera had 16inch wheels and the recommended pressure for those was 24psi so I suspect you're not far wrong (245x45 tyres).

[madbadger]

I've been running 18s on 28psi as there wasn't anything in the manual about them. Is that a bit hard then?

[Targarama]

Lots of threads on this - 24psi is recommended. You should notice a big difference in handling dropping to 24psi.

[AlexRWD]

JasperJ said:

In the manual (225/50 ZR 16) it has 28psi as the regular tyre pressure and 30psi front and 32psi rear for track use (its a T350c manual - which I'm sure will make no difference..thanks in advance..

If the manual recommends 28 and 30 for 16" wheels, I thought you increase tyre pressure for larger wheels?

[JasperJ]

As an update.. just dropped mine to 26psi and could notice the difference straight away... just felt more planted if you know what I mean!!. Will take them down to 24psi and see the result. Purchased one of those digital 12v pumps - so easy to play around with outside the house. Interesting to see that this is not so clear cut..might put a couple of calls into the dealers.. see what they say !!

Alex what are you running at?

[GreenV8S]

JasperJ said:

just dropped mine to 26psi

dropped to 26? 26 is still way too high!

[JasperJ]

GreenV8S said:

dropped to 26? 26 is still way too high!

- thanks, so you agree with 24psi on 16".. why does the manual say 28psi+.. is that manual just one big typo!!! thank god for the internet and PH. Apart from handling are there any other negatives to having them over-inflated? Anyone know.. speculate.

[paul.davies]

I spoke to the factory about the pressure needed for my Tamora on 16 inch wheels and they were adamant it should be 28 psi??
Guess it's a good excuse to get out in the car and try a few different pressures.
The biggest difference I found was going from Avons to Goodyear Eagle F1's...really transformed the car.
p.s. I always run the car at 28 psi and it seems OK maybe I'm missing out!

[AlexRWD]

JasperJ said:

Alex what are you running at?

I'm on 28psi

I have a digital compressor, but when I tried connect it to the old "cigar lighter", managed to blow the fuse!

Downsides of having your tyre pressure too low is that you will wear out the edges quicker, similarly if over-inflate, you wear out the middle section of tread.