What's the optimum tire pressure for overall performance (max acceleration & handling) for a daily driver? I've been wondering about this for a while now. I used to run 32 on all 4. Now I run 35. The thing I noticed most was that my MINI takes off noticeably better from a standstill. MINI recommends 33psi for up to 2 passengers and 38psi for 4 passengers + cargo. 2/3 of my driving involves just me or me and one passenger. But the other third is usually 3 people with cargo or 4 with cargo. Should I stay with 35 in the middle or lean towards the 38 so it's better equipped for the heavier loads when I have them?

I have the 17" Goodyear All-Seaon Runflats.

 

2 things.
1) more pressure will aid in acceleration, because it reduces the size of the contact patch; the downfall is reduced handling capability
2) I would recommend adjusting the pressure when you adjust the load, but remembering to reduce the pressure after touring with ppl can be difficult.

 

If you run high side inflation pressures, watch for premature wear in the center rib of your tire.

Alex

 

Higher inflation pressure will also yield better gas mileage. We ran ours arund 35 all the time and there was slightly more wear around the center than on the outsides. We still got 27k miles out of our fronts with no rotation, though.

 

I think your 35 psi is fine for general use. If you know you are going on a rally with just you then 33 psi is good. If you know you are going on a long trip with 3 or 4 people and luggage then 38 psi is good.

Changing up and down is less than practical for daily driving so the compromise you found seems reasonable. Checking for tire wear is good as is rotating the tires regularly.

If you find that your cornering is less than crisp then maybe let some air out. If you do mostly highway driving and like the lower rolling resistance and quicker response in a straightline then the 35 psi is a good choice.

For my daily use I use 33 or 34 psi.

 

I ran a set of AVS ES 100s Yokohamas with 38 psi with just me in the car most of the time. I got extremely even tire wear across the tire for the life of the tire. I rotated every 5k miles (only got about 11000 miles out of them until they hit the wear indicators).

 

I use 34psi all around on my car. 205/50/16 F1 GS-D3's.

If I was to go to the canyons, I will up it to 37psi.

 

Wouldn't that (the higher pressure) make the car slide more???

 

Actually, no. The added pressure gives firmer sidewall so faster turn-in
response and better overall tire posture retained during hard cornering.

You need to be in the low-mid 40psi range to buldge out the center
of the tread as Alex mentioned to reduce traction on some tires.