3.8 2012 - 33 vs 36 psi Michelin En. Saver

[BrazGenesis]

My car returned from the first oil change with the revision sheet showing that all tires were calibrated at 36 psi.
In the door frame and manuals it says it should be 33. (unless imminent drop of temperature to happen, which was not the case)
The tires are Michelin Energy Saver (OEM)
Car ha around 6k miles no puling at all.
Only issue: the road noise, while not seeming abnormal, is annoying.
Any known change in the specs recently issued? ( manufactured in 2012/06)
Thanks

 

[Mark_888]

No change in the manufacturer specs. Dealers do whatever they want to do, despite what many people believe. Another example is that many dealers use 5W-30 oil for changes, even though Hyundai says 5W-20. Personally, I agree with those dealers using 5W-30.

Some people prefer a slightly higher PSI, and it also gives the dealer some comfort room with regard to liability if the pressure is too low. From a liability (proper handling, etc) perspective, a little too high is better than a little too low. You are free to adjust as you prefer. Remember that the 33 PSI is cold tire pressure at 70 F, and tires heat up several PSI after being driven due to constant flexing of belts.

 

[BrazGenesis]

No change in the manufacturer specs. Dealers do whatever they want to do, despite what many people believe. Another example is that many dealers use 5W-30 oil for changes, even though Hyundai says 5W-20. Personally, I agree with those dealers using 5W-30.

Some people prefer a slightly higher PSI, and it also gives the dealer some comfort room with regard to liability if the pressure is too low. From a liability (proper handling, etc) perspective, a little too high is better than a little too low. You are free to adjust as you prefer. Remember that the 33 PSI is cold tire pressure at 70 F, and tires heat up several PSI after being driven due to constant flexing of belts.

Mark, thanks for the great points. The temperature here was around 80-85. So, I guess the 36 sounds good. BTW, most of the year in Florida is way over 70 degrees. That would lead us to a kind of table temp x psi.

 

[Mark_888]

Mark, thanks for the great points. The temperature here was around 80-85. So, I guess the 36 sounds good. BTW, most of the year in Florida is way over 70 degrees. That would lead us to a kind of table temp x psi.

Usually there is a about a 1 PSI increase per 10 degrees F increase in ambient temps. So if you think the ride is a bit stiff at 36 PSI, you could lower your PSI to about 34. Unless you are taking a road trip at sustained high speeds for long periods of time with several passengers and luggage, etc, I would not worry about it being too low if you have it about 33-34 cold tire PSI for times when driving around town.

The main thing is make sure you check it often, because if it gets much below 33 PSI you can have uneven tire wear, which could require premature tire replacement (if you want your car to steer straight). Regular tire rotations are also important.

 

[DRS]

Lower pressure means higher tire temps... Which means more failures... Lower pressures means less capable handling. Lower pressure means more friction and Lowe gas mileage by .75-1.5mpg.

I run those tires on my 5.0 non-RSpec. I keep the fronts at 38-40, and rears at 36-38. Much better than the 33. Slightly harsher ride. Tire wear is very even. When in snow, will drop them down a bit.

In my "rear view water wicking test", when at 33, the tires wick the water well on the outside, but not as well on middle of the tire. Run the pressures up to what I use above and water is wicked evenly. The traction on wet roads is also better. This test shows better hydroplane resistance, and a even tire patch on the road at the higher pressures.

Your call.

 

[DRS]

To be clear... The water wicking test is on the rain, and watching the trail behind the car. Like a vacuum cleaner when pressures are set right.

 

[Retry]

You don't really know what pressure the dealer puts in unless you have a calibrated air guage. I use one and run 37 all around. The dealers guage shows 41 so it's reading 4 psi high. When they initially adjusted my tires, they put 33. When I checked them, I had less than 30. I use nitrogen so the pressure doesn't really fluctuate much at all. Now when I go in for an oil change I take my racing guage and they use it.

 

[BrazGenesis]

Thanks to all for the contributions. I will do my own experiments.
Very good point the one related to the gauge quality.
Anyway, it seems I will go with higher psi than 33.
Except, maybe, in the Floridian "winter".

 

[Mark_888]

Thanks to all for the contributions. I will do my own experiments. Very good point the one related to the gauge quality. Anyway, it seems I will go with higher psi than 33. Except, maybe, in the Floridian "winter".

Digital tire gauges are quite accurate and not that expensive.