General 4x4 tyre pressures for the standard M+S tyres?

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General 4x4 tyre pressures for the standard M+S tyres?

MikeySkiBoy

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Morning all.

Has anyone been able to figure out, without a shadow of doubt, what the correct tyre pressures might be for a 2016 4x4 1.3 MJD (95hp) with standard Continental M+S 175/65 R15 tyres?

The manual is a bit confusing because the Cross/4x4 section mentions M+S tyres specifically for the R14 sized tyres, but not for any of the other sizes.

To add to the confusion the preceding page has a "Cold tyre inflation pressure" section that advises that warm tyres should have 0.3 bar added to the advised cold pressures. This section also mentions that 0.2 bar be added for snow tyres. There is no mention if that 0.2 bar is just for warm snow tyres or for snow tyres in general.

These two unclear items then raise the question should the 0.2 bar be added because the standard R15 tyres on my diesel 4x4 are M+S rated?

Unfortunately this causes my OCD level to jump and, because I can't find what the Gospel is online, I have to try bothering you nice folks.

Would anyone here know exactly what the correct medium and full load pressures might be?

Ta.
 
My 2013 (63 plate) 4x4 came with a large owners handbook, and a separate 20 page supplement for the 4x4. And was fitted with the same Continental tyres as yours from the factory.

In that supplement it states the following tyre pressures: (1 Bar = 14.8psi)

175/65 R15 84T M+S tyres (and either engine)
No or medium load: Front 2.2 bar, rear 2.1 bar

Full load: Front and rear 2.5 bar each

125/80 R15 95M Space-saver tyre (if equipped) 4.2 bar
 
My 2013 (63 plate) 4x4 came with a large owners handbook, and a separate 20 page supplement for the 4x4. And was fitted with the same Continental tyres as yours from the factory.

In that supplement it states the following tyre pressures: (1 Bar = 14.8psi)

175/65 R15 84T M+S tyres (and either engine)
No or medium load: Front 2.2 bar, rear 2.1 bar

Full load: Front and rear 2.5 bar each

125/80 R15 95M Space-saver tyre (if equipped) 4.2 bar

Definitely not got that handy supplement, but that seems to confirm things. I'm going to sort things out in the morning and that will be that. Thanks for going to the effort of having a look.

I think it must have come out of the dealer with 2.5 all round, which would maybe partially explain why it isn't nearly as much fun as my old diesel Panda Dynamic was in the twisty bits!
 
To update from my experiences with the dealer today. The TPMS light came on with the warning that the 'Front left' pressure was low, I got home as quick as I could and checked the pressure - accepting that the tyre was still warm , it seemed spot on, three hours later I checked it again and it was 2.2 bar as per the 4x4 supplement for 175/65 R15 M+S tyres. I checked it again the next morning and it was the same, 2.2 bar but the warning light was still on. I reset the system and drove on to work, the warning light stayed on. At lunchtime that day I checked the tyre again, still 2.2 bar, my friendly tyre service centre then checked the tyre, including testing it in a water bath and found no puncture or other defect, we reset the system again but the warning light stayed on. I booked the car into the dealer and decided to sit and wait for the work to be completed. About an hour later, I was told that no fault could be found but they had changed the tyres around and inflated them to 2.4 bar front 2.2 bar rear. I queried the inflation pressures and the receptionist went to speak to the Master Technician, the message was that the tyre pressures were correct for the 0.9 Cross, I said that as the model they were working on was the 0.9 4x4, that's not the same as the Cross, and I was concerned about excessive wear with incorrect tyre pressures, she went away again and came back with an A4 sheet from the Master Technician with a table of all possible Panda tyre variant tyre pressures, it is headed '319 - Nuova Panda 0.9 Twin Air Pressures (cold tyre) 2.17.3' this shows for 175/65 R15 84T Normal load Front 2.4, Rear 2.2, Full load Front 2.7, Rear 2.7, so with me inflating the tyres per the 4x4 supplement booklet at 2.2/2.1 I could now understand why the TPMS had reacted. The warning light is now off.

I would also add, for info, that I've had the 'Anti Honk dampers fitted under warranty and they seem to stopped that racket.

I very much enjoy driving the car (I am second owner at just under 2 years old with 11,600 miles on the clock) but remain unimpressed with mpg, even with my steady and sometimes spirited driving I get 47 mpg, my previous car a Clio 1.2 Tce was returning just over 50 mpg on the fuel computer.

I hope this is of interest.
 
Thanks for the helpful info re tyre pressures - much appreciated.

47mpg is pretty darned good, to be fair. Even driving like Miss Daisy, I struggle to get more than mid-40's.
 
I know I'm sad but:-
IMG_1481272990.894843.jpg
 
I know I'm sad but:-

Sensible, not sad ;).

Remebering all those slightly different numbers would be beyond most folks.

Having the same information on the door pillar in the shuts would be even more useful. Some manufacturers even put a label there, though it must be challenging to get it right with all the different tyre/wheel combinations.
 
Sensible, not sad ;).

Remebering all those slightly different numbers would be beyond most folks.

Having the same information on the door pillar in the shuts would be even more useful. Some manufacturers even put a label there, though it must be challenging to get it right with all the different tyre/wheel combinations.


I check the tyres at least monthly.

The wife's GT86 has the pressures on a door slam sticker.

Check the oil & fluid levels weekly. Years of Italian cars has taught me that but the latest cars use very negligible amounts of oil.

I use the Michelin pump via a mains to 12 volt converter rather than powered by the car.

It has a built in detachable pressure gauge which tallies with my Halfords digital & draper manual gauges.

Probably OTT but I'm old school. Ditto keeping the cars clean......
 
Check the oil & fluid levels weekly. Years of Italian cars has taught me that but the latest cars use very negligible amounts of oil.

It's important to routinely check the oil level even on those cars which use negligible amounts. If they do develop a fault in service which causes them to leak or burn oil, you need to catch it quickly if you want to prevent serious engine damage, so owners should still check the oil level at least weekly.

It's unusual nowadays, but if you do get such a fault, it could save you the cost of a new engine, or having to write off the car.
 
I checked the tyre pressures today, they were 2.2 bar front, 2.1 bar rear, exactly the same as apparently triggered the TPMS, thus the subject of my post below. First thought was if the correct tyre pressures are as advised by my garage ie 2.4 bar front and 2.2 bar rear then how come the TPMS had not activated again ? Also the garage had said they had changed the tyres round. Really ????? The front offside is a brand new tyre, replaced by me as a result of the garage managing to drive over a nail when the car had been returned to me post service, the new tyre is still front offside, the rear nearside has a spot of poilsh on the dust cap and that is still.........on the rear nearside, so I adopted the kindest of all attitudes that 50% of the tyres have been changed round. I pumped up the tyres, as recommended to 2.4/2.2 reset the TPMS and await further developments that doubtless will come to light when I change the tyres prematurley due to incorrect pressures ! Best wishes.

To update from my experiences with the dealer today. The TPMS light came on with the warning that the 'Front left' pressure was low, I got home as quick as I could and checked the pressure - accepting that the tyre was still warm , it seemed spot on, three hours later I checked it again and it was 2.2 bar as per the 4x4 supplement for 175/65 R15 M+S tyres. I checked it again the next morning and it was the same, 2.2 bar but the warning light was still on. I reset the system and drove on to work, the warning light stayed on. At lunchtime that day I checked the tyre again, still 2.2 bar, my friendly tyre service centre then checked the tyre, including testing it in a water bath and found no puncture or other defect, we reset the system again but the warning light stayed on. I booked the car into the dealer and decided to sit and wait for the work to be completed. About an hour later, I was told that no fault could be found but they had changed the tyres around and inflated them to 2.4 bar front 2.2 bar rear. I queried the inflation pressures and the receptionist went to speak to the Master Technician, the message was that the tyre pressures were correct for the 0.9 Cross, I said that as the model they were working on was the 0.9 4x4, that's not the same as the Cross, and I was concerned about excessive wear with incorrect tyre pressures, she went away again and came back with an A4 sheet from the Master Technician with a table of all possible Panda tyre variant tyre pressures, it is headed '319 - Nuova Panda 0.9 Twin Air Pressures (cold tyre) 2.17.3' this shows for 175/65 R15 84T Normal load Front 2.4, Rear 2.2, Full load Front 2.7, Rear 2.7, so with me inflating the tyres per the 4x4 supplement booklet at 2.2/2.1 I could now understand why the TPMS had reacted. The warning light is now off.

I would also add, for info, that I've had the 'Anti Honk dampers fitted under warranty and they seem to stopped that racket.

I very much enjoy driving the car (I am second owner at just under 2 years old with 11,600 miles on the clock) but remain unimpressed with mpg, even with my steady and sometimes spirited driving I get 47 mpg, my previous car a Clio 1.2 Tce was returning just over 50 mpg on the fuel computer.

I hope this is of interest.
 
Something to keep in mind about inflation is that driving even a short distance before inflation will warm the tyres and the air inside them. Thus, due to the difference in air density, inflating to 32psi would actually require inflating to an indicated 34-35 psi (depending on how warm it is) to get the correct internal pressure. This, for example, is why in the summer tyre pressures are best checked and corrected after the vehicle has sat in the shade for a while, and in the shade.
 
A good point and well made - other than the one event mentioned in my original post I have always checked my TP's as you recommend.
 
....The front offside is a brand new tyre, replaced by me as a result of the garage managing to drive over a nail when the car had been returned to me post service....

The difference between a new tyre with 8mm tread v's a worn one with 2-3mm could be enough to set off the TPMS warning if it's a 'sensitive' calibration setup?!
 
Somewhere on some tyre thread I commented that steering on my "ordinary" 4x4 TA 2018 fitted with Conti M&S tyres was slightly vague but I could live with it for the benefit of long tyre life.
As I am about to undertake a long trip well loaded I checked everything today including tyres of course. In my experience service station tyre gauges are pretty inaccurate so I inflate to a couple of psi over recommended and then check at home with my accurate tyre gauge, and deflate a little as required. On the way home the "vagueness" SEEMED to be gone, and checking with my accurate gauge I was exactly that, ie 2psi over on all four tyres. I know things can seem to be better if that is what you want, but I will do my trip on 2psi up and try to be objective about any "less vague" steering.
One thing is certain, the handling of at least one of my bikes is VERY much influenced by tyre pressures, especially if somewhat on the low side
 
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