Tyre Pressures for MX-5

[Fruitcake]

Guys, as the previous holder of the my car never saw it necessary to hold on to things like the owner's manual, could anyone please point me to the correct tyre pressures for a Mk2 1.8iS MX-5 on 15" wheels?

Thanks

Dan

[jazzybee]

26 psi all round - sounds low, but is the recommended amount

[mxdi]

I usually do mine to 28 psi

[Fruitcake]

Cheers chaps and chapettes, I've been putting 26 but it did sound a bit low so was just checking. I think I may try it with 28 for a bit.

[munter]

26 for me. I find 28 introduces vibration, and much less grip in the wet than 26. Mind you I suspect it comes down to the tyres a lot. I think my Avons have quite a hard sidewall.

[jazzybee]

munter said:

26 for me. I find 28 introduces vibration, and much less grip in the wet than 26. Mind you I suspect it comes down to the tyres a lot. I think my Avons have quite a hard sidewall.

This is a good point. recommended is 26. I used to use either 26 in the front when I used Michelin Pilot Sports, and 28 when using Goodyear Eagle F1s - as the F1s have softer sidewalls, and to get the steering feel. On the rears I always kept them at 26psi - as I wanted grip. I would say, keep 26 at the rear, and start at 29 psi for the front, and reduce by 1 psi after each drive - until you find the best compromise.

Edited by jazzybee on Sunday 4th June 21:47

[mxdi]

I have goodyear eagle venturas 3 corners, avon cheapo 1 corner rear, and find it almost impossible to lose grip

[mekondelta]

mxdi said:

I have goodyear eagle venturas 3 corners, avon cheapo 1 corner rear, and find it almost impossible to lose grip

Agreed. I don't know what speeds these people go when they say the MX5 is so easy to get sideways but for me its waaay too fast. I have 15" wheels and Koni suspension but even so. I go fast round corners, lift off then back on again and apart from a little wobble... nothing!

[Fruitcake]

mekondelta said:

mxdi said: I have goodyear eagle venturas 3 corners, avon cheapo 1 corner rear, and find it almost impossible to lose grip Agreed. I don't know what speeds these people go when they say the MX5 is so easy to get sideways but for me its waaay too fast. I have 15" wheels and Koni suspension but even so. I go fast round corners, lift off then back on again and apart from a little wobble... nothing!

It depends largely upon your driving style. Fast corners are not the kind of ones you will go sideways on I suspect. I think it's slow tighter corners and gratuitous use of the throttle.

[juzzyp]

Im running Toyo T1R's on my MX5 and I run at 29psi but the Toyos do have soft sidewalls.

I wouldn't fiddle about with different pressures at the back and the front, people who I know who've done that always end up in a hedge or losing it in the

Keep the pressures the same all round, 29psi is about the norm for aftermarket performance tyres with 26psi for bone stock tyres that came with the car.

I always advise getting a full geometry check on the car because this will transform the car for good.