[O. W. Kone]

The recommended tire pressure is 32 front and 30 rear cold inflation. Anyone tried 34F and 32R? What is your experience?

On some cars uppping tire pressure a bit improves ride and gives crisper handling.

If you want to try the higher pressure and must fill air at the gas station when the tire is hot or warm - add 3 lbs to the target pressure. Then adjust to correct cold pressure at the first opportunity.

 

[kiteboy]

I tried +1.5 psi on all tires in April. Got an extra 2mpg afterwards, but it coincided with warmer weather, so the effect isn't conclusive. Didn't notice much change in handling. I'll try again in a few weeks.

 

[larchmont]

Improves ride? I would think it makes the ride rougher. Maybe slightly better handling, though. Depends what you mean by "better ride."

 

[sjlee]

Improves ride? I would think it makes the ride rougher. Maybe slightly better handling, though. Depends what you mean by "better ride."

Actually, I would assume it would not only make it a rougher ride, but also worsen handling as the tires will have less grip.

If the car would perform better with a few more PSI in the tires, does anyone honestly think that Honda/Acura wouldn't recommend it when it would cost them nothing? Car manufacturers try to squeeze as much MPG as they can on their cars... why do you think they put on those crappy Michelins?

 

[larchmont]

Actually, I would assume it would not only make it a rougher ride, but also worsen handling as the tires will have less grip.

If the car would perform better with a few more PSI in the tires, does anyone honestly think that Honda/Acura wouldn't recommend it when it would cost them nothing? Car manufacturers try to squeeze as much MPG as they can on their cars... why do you think they put on those crappy Michelins?

Yes, but OTOH, as we've heard many times, they tend to overinflate the tires upon delivery, supposedly as high as 40. :donno:

 

[O. W. Kone]

I set the tire pressures to 34F and 32R yesterday. The car felt quieter, and seem to handle bumps and road roughness better, the ride actually felt a little smoother, the slight nose dip feel during accleration from a stop was absent during this morning's commute. Need a few more days of riding around before I can say if I like the setting. Need at least 6 fill ups before making a judgement on mileage. So far I have gotten 24.5, 25.5, 25.9 and 26.2 mpg in my burb and city daily drive.

Larch 40 psi cold inflation is too close to the rated max on the side wall - I would not recommend it at all. However, if the pressures reach or exceed 42 when the tires are hot it is still safe.

 

[larchmont]

I set the tire pressures to 34F and 32R yesterday. The car felt quieter, and seem to handle bumps and road roughness better, the ride actually felt a little smoother, the slight nose dip feel during accleration from a stop was absent during this morning's commute. Need a few more days of riding around before I can say if I like the setting. Need at least 6 fill ups before making a judgement on mileage. So far I have gotten 24.5, 25.5, 25.9 and 26.2 mpg in my burb and city daily drive.

Larch 40 psi cold inflation is too close to the rated max on the side wall - I would not recommend it at all. However, if the pressures reach or exceed 42 when the tires are hot it is still safe.

Very interesting -- looking forward to more of your observations.

I do still wonder, though, exactly as SJLee said.....if the slightly higher pressures are better in all respects, why wouldn't those be the recommended pressures?

 

[Whatchamacallit]

why do you think they put on those crappy Michelins?

I think there's a good reason why Acura chose those OEM tires that have unique specs that are hard to find. (215/50-17)

I smell an agreement between Acura and Michelin where Acura got sweet deals on the tires while Michelin got to put unique tires on the TSX that allows them to sell the tires to consumers at outrageous prices ($176 each) for people like me who like to stick with stock parts.

Having said that, I'm pretty happy with the OEM tires. I just dread the day when I have to fork over $700 for set of 4 tires.

 

[larchmont]

I think there's a good reason why Acura chose those OEM tires that have unique specs that are hard to find. (215/50-17)

I smell an agreement between Acura and Michelin where Acura got sweet deals on the tires while Michelin got to put unique tires on the TSX that allows them to sell the tires to consumers at outrageous prices ($176 each) for people like me who like to stick with stock parts.

Having said that, I'm pretty happy with the OEM tires. I just dread the day when I have to fork over $700 for set of 4 tires.

But I thought there were any number of other kinds of tires that fit too.

If you'd like, I can link to some other threads where it was discussed.

 

[sjlee]

I think there's a good reason why Acura chose those OEM tires that have unique specs that are hard to find. (215/50-17)

I smell an agreement between Acura and Michelin where Acura got sweet deals on the tires while Michelin got to put unique tires on the TSX that allows them to sell the tires to consumers at outrageous prices ($176 each) for people like me who like to stick with stock parts.

Having said that, I'm pretty happy with the OEM tires. I just dread the day when I have to fork over $700 for set of 4 tires.

Actually, there are quite a few alternatives to the OEM tires in the same size, so I wouldn't say that they are "hard to find". Continental, Dunlop, Pirelli, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Firestone, Goodyear and Yokohama all make at least one all-season tire in that size. Check out www.tirerack.com if you want to see them.

I'm positive that there's an agreement between Michelin and Acura/Honda. Heck, I think there's one with Michelin and some of the other car manufacturers as well. One of the advantages to the car manufacturers is that the OEM Michelins have very little rolling resistance, which translates into better gas mileage. The car companies could care less that the tires are outrageously expensive to the consumer or that they are marginal in wet/snow... the EPA estimates is the only thing that the consumer sees on the window sticker.

If you're happy with the OEM tires, you must not have driven with them through an entire winter yet.

 

[O. W. Kone]

Just returned from a 500 mile trip with the new 34-32 psi on the tires.

Averaged 30.2 miles per gallon with the AC on auto.

Ride - on smooth roads nice and tight - a sporty feel. On less than smooth roads specially on secondary roads with bumps I felt the bumps. Compared to the Integra I owned before (modifed with the Type R rear sway bar) I would say the ride was similar with the stock Integra 15 inch tires but with a bit more body lean on quick lane changes. The Integra rode better when I changed to Plus 1 tires. I think the ride and handling on this car will be better with Plus 1 tires also the lower profile of Plus 1 will reduce body lean as well.

 

[sjlee]

Just returned from a 500 mile trip with the new 34-32 psi on the tires.

Averaged 30.2 miles per gallon with the AC on auto.

Ride - on smooth roads nice and tight - a sporty feel. On less than smooth roads specially on secondary roads with bumps I felt the bumps. Compared to the Integra I owned before (modifed with the RSX rear sway bar) I would say the ride was similar with the stock Integra 15 inch tires but with a bit more body lean on quick lane changes. The Integra rode better when I changed to Plus 1 tires. I think the ride and handling on this car will be better with Plus 1 tires also the lower profile of Plus 1 will reduce body lean as well.

The only downside with plus sizing is that your gas mileage will suffer slightly.

 

[Noel]

I personally use a F34 / R34 PSI cold setting, the car feels neutral in handling most of the time. Having a bit more on the F than R in general is fine as the engine/weight distribution is bias in front. It'll simply create a more even tyre contact. Go ahead and try all sorts of different combinations, what may work for one may not necessary work for the other. Afterall, everyone has a different driving style.

 

[O. W. Kone]

The only downside with plus sizing is that your gas mileage will suffer slightly.

Perhaps - on the Integra the mileage loss was not measurable. I keep a running tab on mpg on every fill-up.