Tyre pressure question

EmilyM · 05-11-2009, 08:44

I need to put some air in my car tyres, but I'm not sure what pressure to go to.
All the websites I have found go by car registration, and they tell me my car has 13 inch tyres, when it actually has 14 inch wheels.
Looked on the sidewall and the tyes are 185/55/R14.
Can anybody help?

JoeS · 05-11-2009, 08:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmilyM

I need to put some air in my car tyres, but I'm not sure what pressure to go to.
All the websites I have found go by car registration, and they tell me my car has 13 inch tyres, when it actually has 14 inch wheels.
Looked on the sidewall and the tyes are 185/55/R14.
Can anybody help?

They should have a little note on the tyre sidewall telling you maximum pressure/BAR.

If you go to a petrol station and fill with air, it will usually be somewhere around 40-45Psi

cgksheff · 05-11-2009, 08:55

What car are they on?

Rough guide is 32psi front & 29 psi rear but that can change with loading.

JoeS · 05-11-2009, 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgksheff

What car are they on?

Rough guide is 32psi front & 29 psi rear but that can change with loading.

Crikey, my car must be very different. Sorry for the mis-information.

SHYTOT · 05-11-2009, 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeS

They should have a little note on the tyre sidewall telling you maximum pressure/BAR.

If you go to a petrol station and fill with air, it will usually be somewhere around 40-45Psi

You must drive a Transit van. Normal car tyres are between 28-32 psi.

EmilyM · 05-11-2009, 09:01

I usually go for 30psi all round, but I wanted to make sure I got it right. Hopefully going to get it done at work today.
Its a Fiesta. I don't carry anything of any weight, and theres usually only 2 of us at most travelling.

SHYTOT · 05-11-2009, 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmilyM

I need to put some air in my car tyres, but I'm not sure what pressure to go to.
All the websites I have found go by car registration, and they tell me my car has 13 inch tyres, when it actually has 14 inch wheels.
Looked on the sidewall and the tyes are 185/55/R14.
Can anybody help?

What car is it?

You could just try google Put in make and model and add tyre pressure.. ie ford fiesta tyre pressure

Julie2308 · 05-11-2009, 09:02

Is there anywhere on the car that displays them. Mine are shown on the front passenger door on the end. Failing that why not put the make of car on here and see if anyone has a manual they could look at for you?

cgksheff · 05-11-2009, 09:03

.........

.

EmilyM · 05-11-2009, 09:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHYTOT

What car is it?

You could just try google Put in make and model and add tyre pressure.. ie ford fiesta tyre pressure

Thanks everyone

This website http://www.thetyrepressuremonitor.co...ures_ford.html

recommends 36 for the front and 26 for the back.

Gogetter · 05-11-2009, 09:35

My Fiesta has the exact same size tyres. I presume they are fitted on alloys? which is why you wouldn't find the tyre pressures in the manual, particularly if they are non-standard fitting. (ie: didn't come with the car when it was new)

My Fronts are 34 - Rears are 28

I increase the rears to 32 if I have a boot full.

Hope it helps.

Beanfeast · 05-11-2009, 09:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeS

They should have a little note on the tyre sidewall telling you maximum pressure/BAR.

If you go to a petrol station and fill with air, it will usually be somewhere around 40-45Psi

The tyres do have a maximum pressure stated on the sidewall but that is a maximum guide only and generally you must NEVER fill your tyres up this much! They will be too full and you'll have limited coverage from the tyre on the ground making driving dangerous. Tyres are made to sit slightly 'flat' giving as much grip as possible, the max might be 40-45Psi but ideal pressure will more likely be 28-35Psi depending on your vehicle and how it's loaded.

Tomm06 · 05-11-2009, 10:33

I use 30 PSI for mine, front and back, it's amazing how noticable the difference in handling is, anyway, always go 1 PSI extra when you're putting the air in, once you take the air off the valve, you lose about 1PSI ish.

EmilyM · 05-11-2009, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gogetter

My Fiesta has the exact same size tyres. I presume they are fitted on alloys? which is why you wouldn't find the tyre pressures in the manual, particularly if they are non-standard fitting. (ie: didn't come with the car when it was new)

My Fronts are 34 - Rears are 28

I increase the rears to 32 if I have a boot full.

Hope it helps.

Yes I have 14 inch alloys. Looking through the little paperwork I have for my car, it had 13 inch tyres in 2008 when it had a vehicle check at ATS. The last owner must have put them on, but he never mentioned it when I bought the car.
Just had front tyres topped up to 36psi, left the back ones, he said they looked fine. I can feel bumps in the road more now though!

bananamini · 05-11-2009, 11:47

There is on most cars a plate on the drivers door frame or thereabouts that says the recommended tyre pressures

alchresearch · 05-11-2009, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmilyM

left the back ones, he said they looked fine. I can feel bumps in the road more now though!

I sincerely hope that he didn't just look at them and thought they were OK? Tyre pressures should be checked properly.

EmilyM · 05-11-2009, 15:56

It was only somebody at work who did it, he was doing me a favour. The front ones were looking a little squashed before I had them topped up.

phawley · 05-11-2009, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmilyM

Yes I have 14 inch alloys. Looking through the little paperwork I have for my car, it had 13 inch tyres in 2008 when it had a vehicle check at ATS. The last owner must have put them on, but he never mentioned it when I bought the car.
Just had front tyres topped up to 36psi, left the back ones, he said they looked fine. I can feel bumps in the road more now though!

Make sure you mention it to your insurance company as they will count as a modification and if you were to have an accident the insurance company would use it as an excuse not to pay out.