Just got 17 inch rims, PSI tire question?

[Oli97GalantES]

All right, I just got my new 17 inch rims put on yesterday with Falken tires 205-45-ZR17 model ZE-502 . The guy at Discount Tire Company said to keep all the tires PSI at 40 psi. My car specs at 32 front and 29 rear. My friend said that 40 psi is awfully high and that I would wear out the tires faster. What PSI should I keep my tires at?

[Mitsufied]

Listen to the PRO at Discount Tire and keep 'em at 40PSI.

I had the same dilema when I put on my 17"s. I too got mine at Discount Tire and I called them about a week after I installed to ask a 'real person' about the correct PSI. I was told 40.

I don't think that keepin the PSI at 40 would cause the tires to wear faster.

Mitsufied

[TJC]

Look on the side of the tire and there is a maximum tire pressure rating. This rating is to be done when the tire is cold. All tire pressure measurements SHOULD be done cold. You should never go above the MAX pressure stated on the side of the tire and anything close to the max. pressure will give you the best gas mileage and more even wear too. However, if you want better traction, lowering the tire pressure will give you a bigger contact patch (up to a point). I think going by the tire pressure stated in the manual is NOT right b/c that is meant for stock tires and not high performance tires.

FYI, some really wide and ultra low profile tires require 50 psi.

[cantbeatmy97]

what ever the tire says if its aftermarket subtract 5 psi so they should be at 39 psi i work at a big car dealership i whold run them at 35 front and 32 in the rear

[Reelax]

the car's manual and stickered tire rating PSI's are for the stock tires that came w/ the car. my diferent 18's (had 5 full sets from 5 different brands) have been max PSI between 40-46. i usually just fill them to 40 PSI now cold.

[Nyr0283]

I also put 17's on my car.. same tire size. they guy where i bought them from (wheelmax) told me that it should be a minimum of 40. It should say right on the side of the tire though

[Oli97GalantES]

Thanks for the feedback guys!! I emailed Falken Tire Company and asked them this question and this is the reply I received(I now keep mine at 37 front and 34 rear COLD PSI):

Our Tire Guide shows the 97 Galant ES comes with either the 185/70HR14 or
195/60HR15, both sizes are 88 Load Indexes, at 32 PSI front and 29 PSI rear,
as you indicate.

The ZE-502 205/45R17 is also an 88 Load Index, and you can use the same air
pressures. If you want to stiffen up the tires for handling, you can add 3
to 5 PSI to each without any effect on tread wear, but we do recommend you
keep the diffential between front and rear. So, for example, if you added 5
PSI you would run 37 front / 34 rear.

Jim Johnson
Director Technical Services