higher PSI for better MPGs
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Always. Our 2LT 4-cyl was delivered with 35 psi in January which I knew was higher, but never touched it and not an issue. They dropped them down to 30-31 when we had them rotated, but I put them right back up at the request of my mother and because we knew the difference in ride was hardly anything and it felt more stable--plus helps with efficiency a touch.
Same thing for my new G6 now with the 18" Goodyears. Came with 30-31 and I've run them anywhere from 32-35. Had a shaking problem with an unbalanced wheel and also took it back again afterwards for it, and each time was told "You CAN'T run pressure like that in those tires, blah, blah". Also blamed a rattle I had--and they fixed--on me doing this. Not so. It feels much more stable, rides little different, and doesn't look like I have flat tires.
One of the most common things on the Saturn Aura board--same car and tires--is to run 36 front, 34 rear. And though this isn't what's "recommended" (always too low), several of those people also had dealers tell them to do the same based on their experience. I like 32-33 cold so far, I think, best. But that's me, and I'm still experimenting.
I'd recommend anywhere from 32-35, and keep it at that. Don't want to go too high but 30 can be too low especially for stability, wear, and being less efficient. If anything, bump them up and try it out to see. Won't hurt anything.
Same thing for my new G6 now with the 18" Goodyears. Came with 30-31 and I've run them anywhere from 32-35. Had a shaking problem with an unbalanced wheel and also took it back again afterwards for it, and each time was told "You CAN'T run pressure like that in those tires, blah, blah". Also blamed a rattle I had--and they fixed--on me doing this. Not so. It feels much more stable, rides little different, and doesn't look like I have flat tires.
One of the most common things on the Saturn Aura board--same car and tires--is to run 36 front, 34 rear. And though this isn't what's "recommended" (always too low), several of those people also had dealers tell them to do the same based on their experience. I like 32-33 cold so far, I think, best. But that's me, and I'm still experimenting.
I'd recommend anywhere from 32-35, and keep it at that. Don't want to go too high but 30 can be too low especially for stability, wear, and being less efficient. If anything, bump them up and try it out to see. Won't hurt anything.
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Careful raising it up to far, the TPMS sensors in the wheels will not like it, and you will start to loose traction as the PSI goes up.
Well, like I said, the 36/34 combo has been common on the Aura since it's been out, and even a few dealers recommended it. It's not 30, no, but in comparison your tires don't look flat either or mush around.
You don't want to go too high, but 32-35 is ideal from my experiences.
Curious to see what anyone else runs...
Just curious--Why would the "TPMS sensors...not like it"? Don't they just report the pressure? I mean, if they fail to operate correctly at "abnormal" pressures, what good are they?
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they look for psi with in a certain range, to high psi can set them off too
I've had customers come in with 60psi in their tires and the tpms light on
I've had customers come in with 60psi in their tires and the tpms light on
Yep, running the stock tires at Chevy's 30 PSI is definately putting some MPGs in the trash. You can run up to the maximum cold PSI rated on the side of the tire. The cold PSI rating accounts for warmup inflation. The tradeoff as somebody said is you are slowly decreasing the tire contact patch, potentially reducing traction in an emergency situation.
Chevy's inflation numbers are all figured for the best compromise of safety, tire wear, and efficiency.
I personally run about 32-33 cold PSI all the way around on my LS (Uniroyals rated at 35 max cold PSI). Even on 100 degree days, I've never seen anything over 36-37 PSI warm. As best I can tell, I've upped my average MPGs by .5-1 on average.
Chevy's inflation numbers are all figured for the best compromise of safety, tire wear, and efficiency.
I personally run about 32-33 cold PSI all the way around on my LS (Uniroyals rated at 35 max cold PSI). Even on 100 degree days, I've never seen anything over 36-37 PSI warm. As best I can tell, I've upped my average MPGs by .5-1 on average.
Ah, that makes sense. Any out of range pressure--too high or too low--generates a warning light and DIC message.
kc650
For what it's worth, I had a low pressure warning come on a few weeks ago and I inflated the all the tires to 35+ psi. I have no calculated proof but the car seems to have picked up about 1 mpg. It used average high 23 mpg and now it averages high 24 mpg.
But then again the engine may have loosened up as it wears increasing the fuel mileage. This is also my wifes car and I wouldn't call her a 'consistant' driver.
But then again the engine may have loosened up as it wears increasing the fuel mileage. This is also my wifes car and I wouldn't call her a 'consistant' driver.
Well, at least I'm not alone. Especially compared to my--though usually great--dealer's insistence "NO MORE" than 30. Nuts. Then again, also responded to my reply that they look flat and it's mushy with "low profile tires are supposed to".
Oy. Put my 18" GY's on the G6 back to 32, which is still a bit lower than most, but heats up to about 34 and just feels and looks right enough so far. I had them higher before with nothing negative. And the Malibu is at 35 cold, as it has been for 6 months, and is perfect. Well, until it goes in for a rotation and it too comes back with flat tires under 30...
Oy. Put my 18" GY's on the G6 back to 32, which is still a bit lower than most, but heats up to about 34 and just feels and looks right enough so far. I had them higher before with nothing negative. And the Malibu is at 35 cold, as it has been for 6 months, and is perfect. Well, until it goes in for a rotation and it too comes back with flat tires under 30...
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I would think 28 PSI would be too low. Remember that the tire pressure label on the door is cold tire pressure.
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I have decided to go by what my DIC displays. My gauge reads 1 PSI lower than the DIC. If I want 32 to read on the DIC I read 31 on the tire gauge.
No way of knowning which is right, I just picked one as the control.
No, it is what it is. No calibration to a gauge, and the sensors themselves are already pretty dead on and all the time so.
Still check with a gauge, or most do, but from there the DIC readout should either be right on or vary maybe 1 psi if your gauge is decent.
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