Tyre Pressure

I'm currently running 32 psi front/40 psi rear (on original steel wheels and 205/80 Pirelli Scorpion S/Ts) on my '97 300 TDi. Steering is fine now (it seemed to pull a bit more on bumpy tramac at 28 psi front) and it's not too harsh or bumpy at the back. Tyres seem to be wearing evenly. My past experience on other cars suggests that the type of tyre makes a difference to preferred pressures, but I haven't got the time in yet with the Discovery to know.

I have always run my tyres a couple of psi over the handbook recommendation in all my cars, because I think most manufacturers set pressures assuming people want a softer ride rather than good handling. And like Dave in southern France, I was in Oztralya for years where the ambient temps were a lot higher than Derbyshire & Holland so I figured a couple more psi was good compensation .....

Well I think its test & trial what ever you feel comfie with, I've tried all the different pressures ( on the good year ) and i'm very happy running all 4 on 34psi nice ride even wear and towing a caravan spot on and the breaking is good too..

Avy said:

Well I think its test & trial what ever you feel comfie with, I've tried all the different pressures ( on the good year ) and i'm very happy running all 4 on 34psi nice ride even wear and towing a caravan spot on and the breaking is good too..

Click to expand...

Just worth emphasizing that the TDi and TD5 are very different vehicles. What goes for one may not go for the other! Start from the handbook and take it from there...

sp33der said:

I'm mildly curious too as to why the front pressures are so (relatively) low compared to the rear.

Click to expand...

I have read this is something to do with giving more traction to the rear as its permanent 4wd to help fuel economy. can't remember where i read it tho

thebiglad said:

Hi sp33der, I'll talk to you

If you are running on smooth (mowterweigh) roads for most of the time, you may be interested to know that you can raise the front tyre pressures to 38 as well - it helps with fuel economy.

If on rougher roads, then they can get a bit crashy, when over-inflated.

Cheers

Dave

Click to expand...

Unless you are travelling on the trans Pennine M62...Then you need to have the front at 28 as the steering is all over the place due to very high winds, especially in the wet...Be warned.

I'll try and remember that! Actually, come December 28th, all being well, we'll be driving all the way down through France and Spain to the Javea region and gawd knows what the weather'll be like en route! Stopping somewhere round the Pyranees overnight. l

sp33der said:

I'll try and remember that! Actually, come December 28th, all being well, we'll be driving all the way down through France and Spain to the Javea region and gawd knows what the weather'll be like en route! Stopping somewhere round the Pyranees overnight. l

Click to expand...

Hiya sp33der, just got back from our little jaunt to Morocco, where we came back via Mala, Marbella, Benidorm etc and the weather was.................................................bloody awful - blowing old boots

Good luck with your trip, it's a long, long way.

You might be interested to know that we were paying between 1.10 & 1.13 euros per litre for std diesel, in Spain, over the last 3 days.

Cheers
Dave