GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: kevinz925 on 01 June 2009, 13:49
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Hey I have a rookie question about tyre pressure.
I got my mk5 GTI ed30 in Oct last year. When I picked it up from the dealer, I found the tyres pressure a little bit lower than recommanded on the log book using my own pressure gauge. I drove it to National Tyre and got confirmtion on my suspection. And I told the staff to over-inflate the tyres a little above standard to get a more sporty ride. After that I found my MPG was improving and the cornering was neater. I was quite happy about it although that compromised the ride comfort a little.
I drove the car to the dealer for service last month and later found they lowerd pressure again. I look it up on the net and someone seems to be promoting a 10%-minus principle, which means you will make the best of the performance of your tyre when the pressure is 10% less than the maximum pressure it could afford. On that basis, I will have to pop my tyre up to 47 psi and the recommendation on the log book is 36psi, which is a huge different.
Which should I stick to?
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I usually stick to around 39psi.
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47 psi is way too much!!, also when the air in the tyre warms up it will expand.
You won't be wanting a blow out! I think 36psi is still a little excessive too!
Have a look on your tyres- it will say 50psi max and some say 'do not inflate above 40psi' they have multiple warnings on these factors.
I can understand over inflating them will give a bit more MPG but i would take safety over MPG anyday! I keep mine to about 33psi.
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47 psi is way too much!!, also when the air in the tyre warms up it will expand.
You won't be wanting a blow out! I think 36psi is still a little excessive too!
Have a look on your tyres- it will say 50psi max and some say 'do not inflate above 40psi' they have multiple warnings on these factors.
I can understand over inflating them will give a bit more MPG but i would take safety over MPG anyday! I keep mine to about 33psi.
I've always used 36psi for the road and then for QTR mile runs, dropped the front pressure slightly.
I'm on 19" though and so needs a slightly higher psi imho. :smiley:
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I think 36psi is still a little excessive too!
But 36psi is recommended on the VW log book. And it suggests you should inflate them further if you car is going to carry heavy load - I really have no time to spend on adjusting my tyre pressure everyday according to the temperature and loads. But I know it is a crucial factor for performance, economic and safefy. It really gives me a headache !
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Actually 2.4 bar is more like 35psi... :smug:
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But it's 2.6 bar which is 37psi, which is what I use.
In my previous car, it had the recommended settings for less than half-load and for more than half-load for tyre pressures. I'd only adjust if I knew I was carrying a lot (eg moving from place to place).
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My fuel cap definitely says 2.4 bar.....
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Maybe it's because mine's an ED30? Has 18" rims rather than 17s that are standard with the GTI.
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Yup, my fuel cap says 2.6 bar.
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Yes, mine is ed30 with 18'' wheels and it is definitely said on the fuel cap that 2.6 par is recommended. My question is, could I raise it a little bit myself without spoiling the balance and life-span of the car. Presumably the tyre pressure recommended on the fuel cap is to guarantee the ride comfort instead of maximize the performance?
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they all seem quite low to me... I go for
43 & 46psi (18z obviously)
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Hmmm, that's interesting. My GTI has the 18" Monzas as a factory option, but the fuel cap says 2.4. Should I be running at 2.6?
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I wonder whether all GTIs had the 2.4 pressure sticker and ED30s had the 2.6 sticker?
If T_T was lurking round here, he'd pounce right in and say how you can and should adjust the pressures to suit the situation as the stickered pressures are guides only. Certainly if you're luggin a lotta stuff round, I'd smack the pressures up a tad, especially at the rear.
2.4 bar = 34.8 psi
2.6 bar = 37 psi.
There's so little in it, I'd try ramping up the pressure.
Definitely when my car went in for a service a few months back, the pressures were lower than when I'd had the car before. It makes such a huge difference. Try it and see how the car feels. I found improved handling, feedback and mpg.
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36 all round, gti on pescaras 18" ..... Is that wrong? I find the ride perfect.
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Well i used to run around at 30 and 32 psi.... thinking thats what it said on the fuel cap. Then I actually took time out to read the cap properly and realised that it was 3,0 & 3,2 bar :shocked:
Increasing the pressure to the correct level made an unbelievable difference to the driving experience!!! no wonder TT checks his pressure weekly :nerd:
Its quite high on my list of things to keep on top of... if you dont do reg checks then I suggest you start. :smiley: