Technical Tyre Pressure

[Funkstar De Luxe]

I've been scouring the internet to try and find what pressure my tyres should be. The only statements I found were '2.4 bar (front) and 2.0 (rear)'.

However, after putting my tyres to the above, they feel and look quite soft. Is this correct? I have standard 15" Barchetta alloys and Michellin Pilot PE2 tyres.

 

[silkblack]

Hi mate - I am sure you have looked at the UK Barchetta club pages under "modifications" - sorry I can't post the link (I'm a luddite!) - but this has a fairly comprehensive guide to tyres and pressures for the B!

 

[LittleRedB]

Yup, the official pressures are 2.4 on the front and 2.0 on the rear. I have not been using mine much over the past couple of months and noticed that the tyres had become a little soft so I re-inflated them when I cleaned the car earlier this week. I had obviously become used to soft tyres as they feel too hard at the correct pressure - also keep getting the back to drift on roundabouts now!

 

[Funkstar De Luxe]

It turns out the gauge on my pump was broken, so instead of being 2.0 and 2.4, they were running at 0.78 and 1.15. :-D

 

[LittleRedB]

Ah, you will find the ride a bit 'skittish' on the greasy roads once they are back up to pressure...........

 

[Funkstar De Luxe]

Ah, you will find the ride a bit 'skittish' on the greasy roads once they are back up to pressure...........

Thanks buddy, will keep that in mind! ;-)

 

[ricky952]

Yup, the official pressures are 2.4 on the front and 2.0 on the rear. I have not been using mine much over the past couple of months and noticed that the tyres had become a little soft so I re-inflated them when I cleaned the car earlier this week. I had obviously become used to soft tyres as they feel too hard at the correct pressure - also keep getting the back to drift on roundabouts now!

Lee i have had my car sideways at a couple of roundabouts it just caught me out with no warning on the open road though no problems what so ever , i have 16" wheels and was told to add +2 psi per inch over standard so i put 34psi in front and 30psi in back.

 

[Mad Matt]

Either I drive like an old lady, possible, or UK roads are pants because in 3 and a half years of ownership I never got my Barcehtta to slide. Before I put the Eibachs/Bilsteins on I often spun up the front wheels making a hasty get away pulling out into traffic or after a bank job etc.

I would have thought you'd need some lift off over-steer to get the back out on a round-a-bout but I never got into that situation. I have entered corners much faster than planned, by accident, but the car always exceeded my expectations in terms of grip, I just settled her and there was perhaps a hint of under-steer.

So, my end of term report is "must try harder"

PS. I checked my tyre pressures weekly so this might have helped.

 

[vicegr]

I just got today my new rims & wheels.

I chose Continental Sport Contact 2 205/45/16 V.

What pressure should i give? Owners manual doesen't refer to 16" wheels. The guy there told me to use 2.4 to all of them.

 

[Funkstar De Luxe]

If it was me, I'd stick with 2.4 front, and 2.0 rear.

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

Re: Tire Pressure

Go to www.houddespanningerin.nl click on the English flag.
It's a site from Dutch tire manufacturer Vredestein, but it contents valuable information.

 

[vicegr]

for 205/45/16 V it gives 2,5 front and 2,3 back.

one think that bothers me is that on the OE tyre 195/55/15 it gives 2,5 and 2,2

maybe the pressures are only for this firms rubbers

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

Re: Tire Pressure

Those figures can be used for every tire brand in the same size.
Unlike the figures in the drivers handbook, which are more or less a compromise, the Vredestein figures are based on everyday experiences, and are often (much) higher than the ones in that drivers handbook....
Remember to use a (your own) , very good, digital tire pressure gouge, and measure the pressure only when the tires are cold, and in the shade.
Every tire pressure advice is for an outside temperature of 20 degrees Celcius, when the outside temps rise, so will the cold tire pressure, and when temps fall, the tire pressure will be lower as well, that's why it's important to check the pressure often.

 

[Zem]

Re: Tire Pressure

:yeahthat:

One of the easiest and most overlooked things to do.

 

[vicegr]

i asked continental via mail and they replied that i can use the same pressure as on the 195/55/15 tyres

 

[MattB2k]

The thing about tyre pressures is that they are easy to change, so as long as you stay within the bounds of the tyres upper limit (44 psi on the tyres on my car) you may as well keep experimenting until you find pressures that suit your driving style and the type of journey you are doing.

Failing that you'll not go far wrong with any of the pressure combinations noted above.

My tyres are currently an experi(mental) 36 rear and 39 front which makes for 'interesting' handling.

 

[MattB2k]

Just a note to say that I am really enjoying the high pressure I'm running in my tyres. I find the whole effect pleasingly nuggety and reassuring and have not yet suffered any grip issues. With lower pressures I feel as though I am slopping about on the road. Maybe it's due to the tyres I've got. Either way I'm going to swap them over and run a slightly more conventional 39 rear and 36 front.

 

[afroking]

Just a note to say that I am really enjoying the high pressure I'm running in my tyres. I find the whole effect pleasingly nuggety and reassuring and have not yet suffered any grip issues. With lower pressures I feel as though I am slopping about on the road. Maybe it's due to the tyres I've got. Either way I'm going to swap them over and run a slightly more conventional 39 rear and 36 front.

Conventional? Sounds pretty unconventional to me! You will upset the balance if you put higher pressure in the rear tyres.

 

[MattB2k]

Conventional? Sounds pretty unconventional to me! You will upset the balance if you put higher pressure in the rear tyres.

Ah ha! You are right Afroking. No change necessary, I need to spend less time posting and more time thinking:bang:

 

[tufty06]

never really checked my tyre pressures, just assume the garage does it at mot time. having said that, the car scares me to death going round corners, it feels like its about to come away from the road at any time, and on motorways, at 90/100mph it feels i really have to work to keep the thing away from the amco barriers when there is a bend in the motorway. it all adds to the fun tho, and i am not complaining..............i luv my car!!!!!!!!!!!!!