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[Bilbo Baggins]

The performance of the MINI may be balanced but the car is not. It carries 61% of it's weight on the front wheels and only 39% on the rear. I carry about 4 - 5 psi more pressure on the fronts than the rears to help maintain even tread wear.

To determine this I purchased a tread depth gauge and measure 3 places across the width of the tread, once on each shoulder and once in the middle. If there is less tread in the middle I decrease the pressure a pound or so. If the tread is deeper in the middle then I increase the pressure a pound or so. I try to check every 1,500 - 2,000 miles. As little as 1/64"(.4mm) is detectable with a tread depth gauge.

Mixing brands of tyres on a vehicle can be risky as different manufacturers tires can handle very differently and make your MINI behave in unexpected ways when pushed to extremes.