[pierreandre]

Hi guys
I have standard sized Bridgestone Dueler D694's. I've read many different opinions on the correct pressure for traveling on tar. Is the mitsu recomendation of 2 bar correct for these?

[tonton]

This is a very adverserial issue, and opinions differ greatly on this topic - given the variable exposure of tyres to conditions, this is expected.

Some facts:

• * Tyres can be safely run up to 3 bar and higher,
  * Higher pressure (UP TO A LIMIT) runs cooler and safer,
  * High pressure may lead to uneven wear in the middle (called "baldness"),
  * Softer tyres gives a softer ride,
  * low pressure may lead to ineven wear on the outside of the tread,
  * lower pressure increases footprint,
  * lower pressures reduces ground clearance,
  * low pressures increases exposure of sidewalls to road surface and risk of damage.

I believe that the manufacturers recommends the pressure that will give you REASONABLY mileage with the softest ride possible.

Personally, I prefer higher mileage with improved safety, at the exense of a softer ride, so I keep mine at 2,5 rear and 2,3 front (loaded) and 2.3 all-round unloaded (on tar. of course).

Once I hit a long dirt road, I will drop it to 2,0, and in off-road conditions I will choose the pressure according to conditions. Duelers can go quite low before jumping off the rim in sand. When overlanding, I will be less inclined to go to very low pressures, as a loss of a tyre may be devastating to the trip, while the local sand-pit will see me at low pressures.

Here's an interesting article on tyres and pressure: http://www.leisurewheels.com/content/4x ... .asp?id=13

Regards,
Anton

[pierreandre]

My observations so far:
- At 2 bar, the tyres do seem to wear on the sides a bit, which prompted this question in the first place.
2 At 2.5 bar, the ride is only slightly harder. Feedback from the road is a bit more pronounced, but I wouldn't say it was uncomfortable. Certainly not as hard as driving a bakkie with leaf springs.

Anton, your recomendation of 2.3 sounds very realistic.

The front tyres were badly worn on the outside only (not inside and outside like when you are running at too low pressure) when I bought the car. Am I correctly that this is an indication of worn shocks?

[tonton]

...The front tyres were badly worn on the outside only (not inside and outside like when you are running at too low pressure) when I bought the car. Am I correctly that this is an indication of worn shocks?

Pierreandre,

To my mind that could be a combination of hard cornering and wheel alignment problem. I am not sure about shocks - my experience there is that worn shocks gives uneven wear around the wheel (like flat spots) more than across the tread.

Anton

[Andre]

I ran my Bridgestone MT tyres at 2.4 bar at the recommendation of Mitsu Tyger Valley and am running my Pirelli Scorpion ATR's at the same presusure and is very happy with handling and comfort. That is on tarred surfaces.

[Andre]

Sorry the Bridgestones were HT.

[pierreandre]

Drove a relatively bad tar road yesterday at 2.5 bar. Wasn't much fun. I think I'll drop it to 2.3 and see how that feels.

Has anyone recorded any stats regarding fuel consumtion agains tyre pressure?

[4ePajero]

I firmly believe in the 4PSI rule (search is your friend )

It works for any tyre, any condition, any vehicle, any load.

[pierreandre]

Very interesting. This is where a TPMS will be handy, in stead of jumping out on the highway to measure tire pressure.

I'll try the 4PSI rule asap.