I have a 2003 LS V8 the car says 30lbs for the tire, but the tire says 44lb max. I have the Michelin Pilot HX MXM 4 235/50/17 what is the best tire presure to run for MPG and overall performance? Thanks Joe

Well the 30 is good since it does say that on the car, but when I last checked my pressure (was way down) I put in about 35, might take it down alittle next time to like 32/33. Best bet is to stay in the 30 to 35 range I think. Personal pref. for some though.

I run 40lbs on all corners. makes the ride a little harsher but improves the cornering.

Yea, I put 35 in so I that part of handling would improve. Also makes the tires break lose more which is cool except when them tires are done, so is my wallet.

Your best is to always run what the manufacturer recomends, only because this is for optimum performance. To low tire pressure will give you more friction and a loss of fuel economy. What pressure the tire states is maximum pressure allowed by the tire manufacturer. I run normally about 32 PSI.

I run 32 as well.

I have been running 245-45/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires with 38 psi in the front and 35 psi in the rear. This has seemed to be the best setup I have run for optimal tire performance and wear. I rotate every 3,000 miles at oil change.

i was told to never fill to the max, but 86% of the max.

yeah if you overfill the tires the contact patch would pretty much consist of mostly the middle of the tire vs the whole thing. If you put too much in it may feel like a tighter feel but when you go to turn you won't have much control. I was talking with a buddy at work who decided to fill his accord 2 door up to max on all 4. He said the steering felt really responsive/tight. Until he was driving on the highway and the car hardly wanted to turn. The pressure on the door is really only for the same tire as oem equipped or same specs. So if you replace it with one with say a different load rating and max pressure speed rating or even size. That pressure may run fine but the car may handle better with a lower or higher pressure.

I have just bumped my winter tires up to 38psi as most roads are bone dry now, and snow is just about over and done with for the season. 30psi for traction when there's snow on the roads though.

Summer - I have my 255/50's at about 40-42psi, it's the only way to run IMHO. Too soft a tire even though it gives good traction on launches - tends to 'fold' over on harsh turns. I prefer a bit of a skip/slide when cornering hard then the car trying to roll over. Also there is the benefit of easier burnouts.

:L

Thanks for all you input after I posted the question this morning I found I site called Tire Tec. Check it out it has lots of good info on tires.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tiretech.jsp