nysupraman

what kind of pressure are we supposed to run on stock set of tires for an SC300? i recently go new bridgestones which stick to the road like glue and is awesome for the price but i think the guys that installed it pumped up the air in it too much! the cars ride is way harsh and doesn't feel like a lexus anymore.

Keith13b

iTrader: (3)

Read the sticker in the door jam, as it will give the best pressure for the tires considering the weight of the car.

NRG

i have mines at 35psi

AaronE

Almost asked this question myself. Currently I'm running 36, but the door recommends 32. I think the tire will handle 44 (maybe 42, can't remember offhand). Any handling advantages to running higher pressures, or is there a reasonable limit (other than the tire's rated limit)? From what I've heard (and from what makes logical sense) is that lower pressures will give better straight-line traction (and worse wear) but higher pressures keep the tire more geometrically corrrect under cornering forces.

rushgator

I keep it at the Lexus recommended pressure of 32 psi. Any higher, and you will get excessive wear. Any lower, and you will cause excessive heat build up in the tires, which leads to premature failure. For regular driving, keep it at the recommended level. As far as on the track, well, you can do whatever will produce the best times.

Buttercup

The bridgestones tires itself is probably what's making your ride stiffer. The sidewall construction is probably stiffened up so that you'll have a larger contact patch when cornering. If you overinflate the tire to ~36 psi you'll have tire that looks like a " U ", but when cornering the weight transfer will flatten the tire out to look like " LI " Anyways if you overinflate you get stiffer ride but since the tire is "thinner" in terms of contact patch, there will be less rolling resistance but more tire wear and better handling. Since car manufacturers don't think you'll be autocrossing past cars to work they tone down the psi so that you'll have even tire wear and good enough gas mileage.

I was wondering, since overinflating tires decreases contact patch, wouldn't there be more pressure on the tire to road and thus more resistance to hydroplaning?