Tyre Pressures

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Ever had any problems with the T.P.S ?.

I take it you mean the TPMS?  If so, icenutter nailed it.  In fact, the TPMS on the Golf is totally shyte - because it only actually works when the tyre has actually gone flat! - so do NOT rely on it. 

[Teutonic_Tamer]

So then the question...

People with BBS CH 18x8 s.. If you are running Michelin Pilot Sport 2 in 225x40 18.. what pressures do you find work best for 'spirited' driving?

Well, I dont have the BBS CHs, merely having the OEM MonzaII 18s - but I do use the PS2s in that size, and as someone already quoted - I run 42 front and 37 rear - and that is for some 'serious' driving!    And when SWMBO uses the car, she don't moan about it being to hard or harsh either - nor do any of my oldie relations! 

[Mark_GTIV]

is that 42psi all round?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

is that 42psi all round?

What part of 42 front and 37 rear did you miss?    

[Mark_GTIV]

is that 42psi all round?

What part of 42 front and 37 rear did you miss?    

The part where i wrote that at 8:09.. and then went for a coffee and came back and hit reply.. and well.. you had stopped talking about Lewis Hamilton and answered at 8:14   

Thanks for the reply. Actually the reason I'm specific about the CH is that they are an 8inch wheel and not a 7.5 and the PS2s seem a little stretched on the sidewall compared to when they are on a 7.5 inch. Was wondering if that made a difference to handling and pressures used.

[pazz]

I take it you mean the TPMS?  If so, icenutter nailed it.  In fact, the TPMS on the Golf is totally shyte - because it only actually works when the tyre has actually gone flat! - so do NOT rely on it. 

Really? I beg to differ.

My TPMS has come on twice, of which both occaisons were after I had new tyres fitted and upon checking with a guage the pressures were in their low 30's.

One criticism is that you generally need to get up to 40+mph before it has any chance of coming to a conclusion that theres a flat-tyre (by then, you will of probably worked that one out yourself).

[Mark_GTIV]

Made the changes this morning to running 2.9 BAR (42psi) front and 2.6 BAR (37psi) rear. Big positive difference. (I was running 2.3 BAR all round). Turn in is sharper, steering is more communicative. Thanks for the advice!

[tony_danza]

What sort of hot tyre temps are you seeing running 42psi cold with spirited driving, T_T?

Also, aren't you running a 235 - so does the 42/37 suggestion need tweaking any for other sizes??

[The wheel man]

What sort of hot tyre temps are you seeing running 42psi cold with spirited driving, T_T?

Also, aren't you running a 235 - so does the 42/37 suggestion need tweaking any for other sizes??

From what my tyres are reaching at 34psi cold i would expect the temp to be in the mid / high 40's, when the temp is as high as yeaterday, my temps were 38 in the sun and 30 in the shade.... felt odd but though this could be the placebo effect 
I will try T_T's pressures tomight and see what happens.............

[The wheel man]

OK so not the most accurate / scientific test in know but here you go:  RED Denotes the values after a 22min drive along country lanes for 12 miles.

Ambient temp (as per car reading) 36 degrees  38 Degrees

Tyre temps - I sat the car in the warehouse to get them fairly even as it was sat in the sun and one side was 38 degrees!!
28  27    42  43
28  26    40  40

Tyre pressures
38  38  42  42
40  40  43  43

Initial thoughts were a definate decrease in ride comfort, almost seemed a little crashy over bumps / drains that dont usually cause any more than a bump.  Once up and running though i quickly forgot about it and concentrated on the 'feel' of the car.  first real corner and the car did feel very different.  Where before the rear felt almost floaty, this time it tracked round like it was real wheel steer.  Similar high ish speed sections (approx 65 / 70mph) that has clear sighted winding corners gave a feel of sure footed control.

Although this was a very short drive and impossible to give a definative verdict i would say that on my particular tyre, the reccomended perssures from VW are a little low. 

Hope this info is useful to someone 

Ben