Tyre pressures

[MarkW19]

Just wondering what you guys keep your tyre pressures at (in PSI)?

I've got 17" Toyo T1S Proxes, and Eibach lowering springs on my '03 Cooper.

I want a firm, positive ride, with fairly heavy direct steering - there's usually only me in the car, at the most another person.

I've got my fronts at 30 at the mo and backs at 28, but there's just something lacking in the handling - not that much grip round corners (bit of skidding a lot of the time) and steering isn't as direct and heavy as I'd like.

I seem to remember it being better when I got my MINI and even better still when I had the springs fitted (about 18 months ago) and more positive and responsive while driving - my tyres are fine by the way, checked them out.

Can you suggest what pressures I should be keeping my tyres at to improve the handling and make the ride firmer/more in control/more responsive/heavier steering?

Look forward to replies!

[Bilbo Baggins]

Adjusting your tyre pressure according to tyre wear has seemed to work for me. If there is more wear in the center decrease the pressure a few lbs/bar. If there is more wear on the shoulders, increase the pressure a few lbs/bar.

Another method of setting pressure uses the maximum rated capacity of the tyre @ a given pressure. Then calculate the actual load on the tyre. Calculate the ratio between max load and actual load. Multiply max pressure by that ratio to find the correct pressure for each tyre. This will give a good starting point for further experimentation.

Remember to rotate the tyres every 3,000 miles, front to back, same side only. I know, I know, the factory does not recommend rotating the tyres. They also recommend replacing all 4 tyres if one wears out. But then again they do not have to pay for them. Your choice.

*Edited for correctness 02:49GMT

[xtremepsionic]

One thing to keep in mind, you installed lowering springs on the stock dampers 18 months ago, the stock dampers will wear out pretty quickly because the new springs are a different rate, so the feeling that your car isn't as responsive as before could be due to the dampers.

As for tire pressures, on my 15" holies with continental no-season tires, I run 38psi front and 41psi rear (more in the back so I get slightly less understeer in the corners, I know it works, because it does Plus I have 3 passengers on weekends)

Rotated the tires for the 2nd time today, first time at 5600km, today at 9300km, tire wear is basically even all across the tread, I'm at about 6/32th left on all fours, with slightly more tread on the inside edge of the tires.

The tire pressure you need depends greatly on the tires you have, and your driving style. I take corners really fast, so higher pressure works for me.

[Monster mini]

I would advise at least 34 all the way around I think you will find this pressure adequate my 04 mcs has the 17 in s lite wheels and the pirelli run flats which I really like I have played with the pressures some and found this pressure acceptable and the dealer agrees as well

[MarkW19]

Over how many miles should the dampers last on average? Are they expensive to replace, and should I, if I replace them, be getting dampers to match the "rate" of the springs?

38 and 41??? Isn't that really high? :P Is it higher because you often carry 3 passengers and also because you have the 15"s?

I take corners fast too and am experiencing a lack of grip and light steering in a lot of conditions - would increasing the tyre pressure improve this?

34 on the run flats (which are really heavy)...how would this equate to my Toyo T1S Proxes (which are quite a bit lighter than the runflats)? Do I higher or lower this figure to get the same on my lighter tyres, if you get what I mean?