The book on my '04 says 29 psi front, 28 psi rear. Seems weird. Dealer says they routinely put in 33 front and back. To strike a compromise, I'm currently at 31.5 for both. What do you do, and why? Assume regular dry street use. Thanks. ---HW
'03-'04 Forester survey: what air pressure do you run in your tires?
Dec 01, 2003
6 Replies
First reply
I run my Forester at 34 front & 30 rear when 2 people aboard. Full load I raise rear to 36 per manual. I find(after 2 sets of tires) that I get my best compromise for comfort and tire life. I always set tires over night cold with a digital gage.
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I find no compelling reason to contradict the manual and the sticker by the driver's door. But, just to make it easier to remember, I set the tires to 29 psi all 'round.
-R.
Don't have any data to support this, but I've just left front and rear at 33 psi. Not that I believe the dealer has any supernatural knowledge, I've just ended up there, at this point.
04 Forester XSI used to have around 28-29psi in the tyres in my 2001 Forester, as the manual instructed.. However each time I snet the car to the dealer for a service the mechanics would put the pressure up to 34/35psi. I suppose there must be a reason for that. I have never asked the dealer though.
The recommended pressures are 'comfort oriented', the minimum which won't cause heat build-up and tyre failure. Using higher pressures will reduce rolling resistance and improve cornering (up to a point). Personally I run with 31psi all round for two-up, but UK roads are not smooth enough to go higher without causing discomfort.
IMHO, it really depends on the tires. Of course, I like to set mine to
5-6psi below the max (cold). Since I also have an '04, and the G900's, the max psi is 44.My other tires, on other vehicles, have a max of 35psi. You should adjust them for a compromise of spec, vehicle load, comfort, and mileage. 35psi for the G900's seems to be a good compromise, imo of course.
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