DanA100

I just got my car back from the tire shop where my new Falken tires were installed and here is what i noticed - i measured the pressure in the new tires and both front tires were at 48 psi and both rear at 46psi!!!
How can that be possible? Car was sitting for at least an hour so tires weren't "hot" at all.
I usually run my tires at around 32-34psi because that's what it sais on the gas cap. (recommended pressure for Audi 100 205/60/15 tires)

On the new tires, it sais "max. pressure 51psi" but that doesn't mean that they should be driven at 48psi, right? They are the same size as my old Potenzas - 205/60/15 and i never ran the Potenzas at more than 34-35psi(usually 32psi). (btw, Potenzas were stamped with "44psi max. pressure", not 51psi )

I adjusted the pressure on the new tires to 36psi.

At what tire pressure do you run your tires? What's "normal" for that size of tire and car?
Does anyone have any idea why the guy at the tire shop overinflated my tires so much? I mean, isn't it really dangerous to overinflate them so much?

If the shop was still open, i would go and talk to them but they closed for the day.

AudiRule

On my audi 5000s its 35psi each tire.

AndrewsQuattros

32-35 is fine, and even up to 40 on a long trip for alittle better fuel econ, and less heat at higher speeds... but once you get over 40, after many miles your tires will wear quicker in the inner part

cuatrokoop

I ran 36 in the front and 35 in the rear on the 5kq and 5ktq. If I knew I was going to be really pushing either car hard, I'd run them at 40 F/R. CQ was run at 48-50 for autox'ing on the old 16's, and I run 40-41 and 38 on the CQ when running the 17's for street duty.

QAudi42

I've noticed that most tire installers inflate tires to nearly max. for some damn reason. Everytime (really!) that I've bought tires I've had to adjust the pressures in the parking lot before driving off. Never have understood it.

However, sometimes a tire that has a high max. inflation when run too low will prematurely wear the inside and outside of the tread as the sidewall flexes. You would definitely notice this while driving though (wandering all over).

I generally go with 3-5 lbs. below the max. pressure and rotate the tires frequently. Works for me.

DanA100

I guess my new tires are meant to be driven inflated to 40 or more psi. since they are rated at 51psi max. Here is why....yesterday after i got angry(at the tire shop) and scared at the same time, i adjusted the pressure to 36psi on all 4 corners. And guess what ... i noticed that on the highway, at speeds above 60, if i make sudden moves with the steering wheel my car feels like it is FLOATING. It is a VERY unsafe feeling and it gave me chils. (these are High Perf., H-rated tires btw) I NEVER had this experience with my old Potenzas (T-rated) before. These new tires, at 36psi feel just like their tread is not 10/32 but at least 2 inches deep and it's all twisting under the weight. I don't know how else to describe the feeling to you. It's sooo weird.

When i took the car in the mountain and pushed the car all the way in the curves...the tires were all nice and safe, i was really surprised - no sound from them and they didn't loose traction for a second. Isn't that strange considering their behavior on the highway at higher speeds???

When they were at 40-46psi everything seemed to be normal, except the fact that i was feeling every little bump on the road. Car wasn't floating at all. This proves "QAudi42"'s words above.

I'm still not sure at what level should i keep them inflated....i can stay close to 40psi, but considering the fact that here in Cali weather can be very hot(except winter), isn't there a high risk that these tires can simply explode one day???
This would be the worst that can happen at 80mph. That's my only concern so far, since i've never driven cars with tire pressure more than 35-36 psi.

Hot weather + High Speeds + 40 psi in each tire - isn't that dangerous?

comp_jas

DanA the link below would indicate you did the right thing. Interesting subject<ul><li><a href="http://falkendev.innovapp.com/shownewsevents.cfm?newseventsid=31">http://falkendev.innovapp.com/shownewsevents.cfm?newseventsid=31</a</li></ul>

cuatrokoop

LOW tire pressures is were you get into problems of catastrophic tire failure.

DanA100

i still don't understand why the car handles bad with tire pressure close to 32-34psi(Audi 100 recommended) and it handles much better when tires are at 38-40psi.
From what i read in the article, Falken Tire pretty much are telling me that i should follow whatever Audi recommends. Well, if that's the case, then their tires are really not made for my car and i should return them right away due to very poor handling characteristics at that "recommended pressure level".
Thanks for the link! It was interesting.

QAudi42

I'm glad you tried out some different pressures. Find what works best for those tires and stick with it. And make sure you rotate them at least every 6000 miles or so. You'll find you get the best life out of them that way. Good luck