A3 tyre pressures, why so high?

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Just checked my tyre pressures, the tyre pressure sticker on the inside of the drivers door recommends 42 PSI for the front and 36 PSI for the rear!!

I had to check and double check I was reading this correctly, but this is definitely correct for a 225/40/18 tyre with a normal load.

This seems way too high, have Audi made a printing error?
 
I dont think its a print error, but they have probably put it that way for a safer and more predictable outlay and behaviour of the car (understeer).
 
I think thats a tad high & probably based on the heaviest load of 5 people & full of luggage, I would do 37/34 as this is with 18's & normal load tbh as spoke with my tyre company who say for every inch up from 16 it is 2psi, my normal weight on 16's was 33/30, which seems about right tbh.
 
According to the sticker this is for normal load, the recomended full load pressures are even more than these!

I'll get a pic of the sticker, I just don't understand why Audi have changed the recommend pressures on the facelift??
 
The 17s are 41 all round at all times, regardless of load.
 
Sorry to drag this one up, was looking for the 2009 S3 details and could not find it, so here is a picture of mine which has 225/40/18 Y
IMAG0822

Seem very high to me, but hope this helps others..
 
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You'll notice the XL rating for the tyres - these have reinforced sidewalls and are designed to run at a higher pressure to meet the specified load index, which is achieved at a lower pressure with a normal tyre.

I run mine at 37/34 front & rear.
 
Pressures printed on the label are correct.

If pressures are not correct, there will be wear problems and the foot print of the tyre will not be at it's optimum to give the best grip and handling.. There was a thread on here a few weeks ago showing the effects of under, corret and over inflation.

Pressures on my car running 18" rims were about 5psi low all round due to lower ambient temps. As soon as I inflated to those printed on the label, car's turn in, grip and general handling improved no end.

As a rule of thumb, I've observed 'shallow side wall' tyres need more puff...:w00t:
 
I used 36 all round on mine, normally just me in the car. Haven't had issues and find it grips better than it used to on recommended.
 
Thanks for that, Ive been running the M+S XL pressures (mud and snow)

What a muppet I am ! Been trying to sort this out for weeks, thought pressures were too high then too low etc etc

42 fronts 33 backs for me.... will change them in a bit !!!!!!!!!!! Nice one
 
I have 235/40/18 and was running 36/38
.
car was very bouncy.
took it to tyre pace today who put 32 front and 34 back and said that's perfect for me in car. Does seem 100 times better
 
ruairi83 said:
I have 235/40/18 and was running 36/38
.
car was very bouncy.
took it to tyre pace today who put 32 front and 34 back and said that's perfect for me in car. Does seem 100 times better
Click to expand...

Which car and year have you got ? Are your tyres XL or standard ? Seems very hit and miss with the tyre pressures
 
S3P8 said:
Which car and year have you got ? Are your tyres XL or standard ? Seems very hit and miss with the tyre pressures
Click to expand...

a4 saloon 2006 Sline b7 mate with perilli pzeros 235/40/18 xl

also have a a3 sportback 2009 running 225/40/18 must check what psi is in them tomorrow
 
Last edited:
A3 tyre pressures seem to vary according to the model year, fuel type, engine power, body style\doors, gearbox\transmission configuration, even trim levels seem to affect the pressures on the label.

Since this question is asked so many times, member MRJ901 started a thread with pictures of the labels from a range of A3\S3 models! I think it's a great idea and probably should be made a sticky. You can help complete the database by adding any that aren't already in it.

Here. :thumbsup:

I've personally found the higher pressures in my 225\40\18 XL's benefit handling & prevent bounce on uneven back-doubles! Also, I've just replaced the two fronts as I managed to pinch\cut the sidewall of the N\S\F a few months back when I was running with lower pressures (32-34psi), on a kerb whilst parking and it would have failed an MOT. I doubt it would have happened if they'd been set as recommended. so I think Audi have good reason to recommend relatively higher pressures.
 
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Artimus said:
A3 tyre pressures seem to vary according to the model year, fuel type, engine power, body style\doors, gearbox\transmission configuration, even trim levels seem to affect the pressures on the label.

Since this question is asked so many times, member MRJ901 started a thread with pictures of the labels from a range of A3\S3 models! I think it's a great idea and probably should be made a sticky. You can help complete the database by adding any that aren't already in it.

Here. :thumbsup:

I've personally found the higher pressures in my 225\40\18 XL's benefit handling & prevent bounce on uneven back-doubles! Also, I've just replaced the two fronts as I managed to pinch\cut the sidewall of the N\S\F a few months back when I was running with lower pressures (32-34psi), on a kerb whilst parking and it would have failed an MOT. I doubt it would have happened if they'd been set as recommended. so I think Audi have good reason to recommend relatively higher pressures.
Click to expand...

Wheeeey the tyre pressure thread returns.

40psi all round on my car works well.

Almost right with my name there too Artimus...close enough to be fair ;)
 
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haha, little bit of dyslexia creeping in there. s'funny, always saw you as Mr. J for some reason. :shrug:
 
Right....sorted the pressures out now and as it says on the tin....michelin p3's 225/40 ZR18 92 Y XL

Front 42 Rear 33

Perfect now the S3 is the dogs b's, amazing what the right set up can do ! :)
 
I've checked mine tonight

225 45 17

3.2 Quattro

It was 42 on the front and 39 on the rears.

Just inflated them to 34 all round. Not sure if this is right but ride is better quality.
 
Aldo said:
I've checked mine tonight

225 45 17

3.2 Quattro

It was 42 on the front and 39 on the rears.

Just inflated them to 34 all round. Not sure if this is right but ride is better quality.
Click to expand...

Deflated?
 
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audi upgrades
Yes, the recommended pressures may seem high compared to other cars you have owned in the past.

At the end of the day guys Audi spend millions on developing their cars, recommended tyre pressures take all things into consideration including but not limited to ride comfort, road noise, fuel economy, car weight over each axle in different situations and most importantly factory geometry and how this is translated through the suspension, wheels and therefore how exactly the tyre connects with the road, this is ultimately what we all know as the broad term "handling".

My point is, especially when you're driving an S or RS car, Audi have not picked numbers out of the sky, during development they have clock probably tens of thousands of miles on roads and track such as the Nurburgring, with endless feedback from far more capable drivers than most of us will ever be.

As long as you're geometry is spot on and you're running standard suspension, wheel size, tyre size and load then as far as I'm concerned the numbers on the door sticker are what you should run. Changing suspension components, wheels, offsets ect probably changes things a bit but to run up to 10psi lower than recommended that some have stated they do is madness imho.

That's my 2p anyway.
 
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Was sceptical myself and had the wrong pressures in because I was looking at the correct tyre size but with M + S (Mud and Snow)
Now ive got them right the car feels superb ! Happy Days
 
AUDI more than likely want you to run around with 10psi over inflation so that you see how fuel efficient their engines are :whistle2:
 
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