What tire pressure for 17" Potenza RE 030?
#3
Originally posted by GSman
What tire pressure should I be using with the stock 17" Potenza RE030? The tire says a maximum of 51 psi and the owners manual recommends 33 psi.
Thanks,
What tire pressure should I be using with the stock 17" Potenza RE030? The tire says a maximum of 51 psi and the owners manual recommends 33 psi.
Thanks,
#4
Lex Mechanic says 38
I went on a test drive with a lexus tech to have him hear some rattles first hand. I mentioned that I was considering the L-tuned suspension stuff to improve the handling.
He suggested going to 38 on all my 17" tires to firm up the ride.
So far I really like it.
BTW this guy spent a number of years with Porsche before moving over to LEx.
He suggested going to 38 on all my 17" tires to firm up the ride.
So far I really like it.
BTW this guy spent a number of years with Porsche before moving over to LEx.
#5
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Atlanta, GA
I found that 33 was a good balance.
At 35 the car felt better around town, but tended to oversteer and wander more at speed (with the original '98 steering ecu). And unfortunately the RE030 is such a terrible tire it won't feel any good no matter what the pressure.
Going as far as 38 will make it stiffer, but you'll also wear the tire out faster in the center (and oversteer). If you want better handling the answer is suspension changes and better tires.
At 35 the car felt better around town, but tended to oversteer and wander more at speed (with the original '98 steering ecu). And unfortunately the RE030 is such a terrible tire it won't feel any good no matter what the pressure.
Going as far as 38 will make it stiffer, but you'll also wear the tire out faster in the center (and oversteer). If you want better handling the answer is suspension changes and better tires.
#6
Yes I am watching the tire wear closely. I should clarify that I have the michelin pilot sports.
Running at 33 for a while and properly rotating the tires, I was noticing feathering" on the outside of the tire. This wear was also leading to increased noise.
With the increase to 38, the tires are quiter and run much "free-er" (less drag) on the highway.
The pilot sports also have a nice center bead that gives the car good directional stability.
Anyway, the comment about tire wear is a good one and I will be tracking that as my experiment continues. Also, the ride is obviously a little rougher.
Where would I get a tire tread depth tool to accurately monitor/measure tire wear?
Running at 33 for a while and properly rotating the tires, I was noticing feathering" on the outside of the tire. This wear was also leading to increased noise.
With the increase to 38, the tires are quiter and run much "free-er" (less drag) on the highway.
The pilot sports also have a nice center bead that gives the car good directional stability.
Anyway, the comment about tire wear is a good one and I will be tracking that as my experiment continues. Also, the ride is obviously a little rougher.
Where would I get a tire tread depth tool to accurately monitor/measure tire wear?
#7
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Atlanta, GA
Originally posted by duster
Where would I get a tire tread depth tool to accurately monitor/measure tire wear?
Where would I get a tire tread depth tool to accurately monitor/measure tire wear?
As for the pressure. If you are cornering aggressively the higher pressure will reduce the cupping and feel more responsive. However, be careful in the wet. At that pressure you have a smaller tire patch on the road and an oversteer condition. You could be surprised by their breaking loose earlier than you expect.
BTW, IMO the Michelin Pilot is a great tire choice although for my next set I'm going to investigate the the Toyo's. They definitely appear to be worth checking out.
Trending Topics
#9
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Louisiana
Michelin Pilot, 35 psi works for me the best
but I find my 2001 GS430 to be soooo noisy. Duster says the tires got quieter at 38psi so I may give it a shot.
QUESTION: Where does the Michelin Pilot fall in the spectrum of stock tires for the Lexus?
#10
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Atlanta, GA
Re: Michelin Pilot, 35 psi works for me the best
Originally posted by joeyGS430
but I find my 2001 GS430 to be soooo noisy. Duster says the tires got quieter at 38psi so I may give it a shot.
If you are used to low performance tires and a noisy car the OEM 030s may seem loud to you, but for high performance tires they are about middle of the road.
IMO 38 lbs IS TOO HIGH for daily driving. Yes, it may seem quiet, but you'll wear out the center of the tire , oversteer badly and have very poor handling in the wet.
There are tires that are quiet but they are generally lower performance. Perhaps you should ditch the Bridgestones and move down to less aggressive rubber.
QUESTION: Where does the Michelin Pilot fall in the spectrum of stock tires for the Lexus?
but I find my 2001 GS430 to be soooo noisy. Duster says the tires got quieter at 38psi so I may give it a shot.
If you are used to low performance tires and a noisy car the OEM 030s may seem loud to you, but for high performance tires they are about middle of the road.
IMO 38 lbs IS TOO HIGH for daily driving. Yes, it may seem quiet, but you'll wear out the center of the tire , oversteer badly and have very poor handling in the wet.
There are tires that are quiet but they are generally lower performance. Perhaps you should ditch the Bridgestones and move down to less aggressive rubber.
QUESTION: Where does the Michelin Pilot fall in the spectrum of stock tires for the Lexus?
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Atlanta, GA
Originally posted by GSman
What tire pressure should I be using with the stock 17" Potenza RE030? The tire says a maximum of 51 psi and the owners manual recommends 33 psi.
Thanks,
What tire pressure should I be using with the stock 17" Potenza RE030? The tire says a maximum of 51 psi and the owners manual recommends 33 psi.
Thanks,
Thus I now believe the correct pressure for them is about 125 psi - to be applied under controlled safe conditions. The pressure will be so high they will burst - then they can be thrown away and replaced with a decent tire.
#12
Originally posted by RealMarty
I've been thinking about this question in light of my overwhelming dislike for the Bridgestone 030s. IMO there are few tires worse than they in the realm of high-performance tires. Seriously -- they suck.
Thus I now believe the correct pressure for them is about 125 psi - to be applied under controlled safe conditions. The pressure will be so high they will burst - then they can be thrown away and replaced with a decent tire.
I've been thinking about this question in light of my overwhelming dislike for the Bridgestone 030s. IMO there are few tires worse than they in the realm of high-performance tires. Seriously -- they suck.
Thus I now believe the correct pressure for them is about 125 psi - to be applied under controlled safe conditions. The pressure will be so high they will burst - then they can be thrown away and replaced with a decent tire.
Now that made me laugh! That was pretty funny. But most of us like you are stuck with our stock tires for now, since would be a hit in the pocket if we were to just discard them now for new ones.
But the debate still continues, what is the PSI needed for both front and back. It seems based on the posts that it's all over the place!
#14
Originally posted by RealMarty
33-35 psi. And that's my FINAL answer.
33-35 psi. And that's my FINAL answer.