Winter Tyre Pressure?

[snakehips]

I just put winter tyres on my car and looked up the recommended pressure in the image in the FAQs sticky thread. For 92V it says 41 and 38 psi. On all my other cars I've never needed to go above 40 psi before so I thought I'd ask for a reality check. Anyone else happily running at these high pressures? My tyre guy set them to 33 psi all round by default.

 

[PilotAudi]

I have never come across winter tyres (M+S) ever being run at lower pressures than summer tyres.

From another Forum/Blog... follows

Other myths about tire inflation include keeping the pressure lower in winter than in summer; and that the best time to check tire pressure is after a long trip.
In fact, tire pressure usually lowers itself in winter and raises itself in summer-it requires no action on the part of the motorist apart from keeping the pressure at the level recommended on the sticker that is usually located just inside the door, glove box, or fuel door. Under normal loads, inflate tires according to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, NOT the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall. In any case, one should never exceed this maximum pressure.
The sidewall, incidentally, also shows the type of cord and number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
Every time the outside temperature drops 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the air pressure inside your tires goes down about one or two psi. Drivers should check their tire pressures frequently during cold weather, adding enough air to keep them at recommended levels of inflation at all times.

 

[Viking]

Snow tyres are designed to work with the tread pattern at the correct profile. If your tyres are correctly inflated then the tread blocks and sipes will work as the manufacturer intended, clearing rain and slush, gripping ice, and clogging with snow as and when required. If you underinflate them then they don't hold the correct profile and don't work properly. Your tyre fitter should've inflated them to the cars set pressures really.

The myth of lowering tyre pressures in winter is mildly valid when using summer tyres, as in effect you're altering the profile and tread pattern of those tyres to assist in coping with the adverse conditions. Also, it gives a wider contact patch to arguably provide more traction.

 

[Daveotto]

The myth of lowering tyre pressures in winter is mildly valid when using summer tyres, as in effect you're altering the profile and tread pattern of those tyres to assist in coping with the adverse conditions. Also, it gives a wider contact patch to arguably provide more traction.

I have never run winter tyres, living in the temperate south, but always run my tyres 2-3 psi lower when it's icy or snowy and can feel the extra grip/traction it gives and have always put this down to the extra contact area slightly deflated tyres give.

 

[Battlekrapz]

Just use the recommended pressure given for your tyre type mentioned on the driver's door.

 

[PembsA3]

The owners manual for my 2003 Golf MKIV V6 4motion states that when winter tyres are fitted they should be inflated 0.2 BAR MORE than standard tyres...

 

[the_lecht_rocks]

If using the same size tyre it's correct to add 2 psi to the pressure over summer settings. This then incurs the softer sipes to bite harder, albeit only marginally.

 

[the_cueball]

I always run my tyres a bit higher anyway, so my winters are run the same way... 40psi.

just put them on again today... a bit later than usual..

 

[snakehips]

Thanks all. I don't think my tyre guy was setting the winter tyre pressure low for any perceived extra grip (I'm not planning to cross Antarctica in a monster truck) I guess he just didn't know better. It was only that I had the same tyres on my Golf and that only required 38 psi. I was just surprised that the A3 needed 41 at the front when it's such a similar car. But I'll go down tomorrow and set the pressures correctly.

 

[snakehips]

I had assumed the pressures would be the same for all models but I just bothered to check on my door plate and the recommended pressures are 1 or 2 psi higher than those in the FAQs that Daveotto took from his 150 TDI. Would that be because of the extra 30 bhp or because of the Quattro?

 

[Daveotto]

I had assumed the pressures would be the same for all models but I just bothered to check on my door plate and the recommended pressures are 1 or 2 psi higher than those in the FAQs that Daveotto took from his 150 TDI. Would that be because of the extra 30 bhp or because of the Quattro?

I expect it is weight related

Would be good if people with other engines added there door plate tyre pressure stickers to the FAQ's as expect that maybe the lighter 1.2TFSI might be a couple of psi lower than mine.

 

[snakehips]

Of course - weight related. Brain has obviously shut down for the holidays.

 

[foursprungdugtechnique]

Best advice I've heard, keep tyre pressures at correct (for car) pressures.
The tread in winter tyres is designed to clog up with snow, snow grips snow better than rubber.
All the tyre tests I've ever read never recommend reducing the pressure, it is dangerous to run at lower pressure as the tyres can overheat on a long trip and blow out. Also the outer edges of the tread will wear out prematurely.
I run standard size Michelin Alpin A4 205 55/16. The speed rating isn't as important due to the chances of doing 135MPH in snow/ice are reasonably slim