The great S4 tire air pressure controversy
10-21-2011, 02:55 PM
#1
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
The great S4 tire air pressure controversy
So I get my had 19" Michelin Pilot Super Sports installed @ Discount Tire in Austin, Texas; who were quick (less than an hour), courteous, and professional. The price for the Michelins was pretty good: $261 a tire, plus there's a $70 mail-in/Internet rebate from Michelin now if you buy a set of 4 - which comes out to $243.50 per tire. Not bad! Of course, when you add the cost of old tire disposal fee, installation, and $126 for tire insurance (to replace damaged tire from a blowout or whatever), it was $1244.00 total, plus $86.96 state tax - making it $1330.96 out the door.
So far, the Super Sports seem to be working just fine. They may not be as glamourous as the OEM Pirellis and may not grip quite as well, but are still considered to be performance tires with pretty good grip, are pretty quiet, and have 30K miles of tread life; close to twice a much as the OEMs!
But, here's where it gets interesting. When they get to my car, the tech walks in and says that the OEM specs for the S4 tire pressure are 39 fronts & 36 rears. I say OK and, of course, 5 miles down the road - I get a low pressure warning on my right rear tire as I'd forgotten I'd set my tire pressure for 37 all around on my MMI. This is what I seem to remember an Audi tech had told me for the Pirellis when I first got the car.
So I call the Audi dealership from Discount Tire, because a different Discount Tire tech there said the door jam actually says 41 - which didn't seem right.
Audi service is on the line. I ask "What's the correct pressure?"
They're not sure what to tell me and get the *senior mechanic* who says, "38 or 39 all around because it's easier to remember."
The Audi tech is back on the line and I, of course, ask "Well, 38 or 39 - which is better?"
"39"
So I have 39 all around and set my MMI to confirm this vs. 37 all around for the OEMs. But, I'm a bit confused. I realize that you have some latitude with the air pressure, depending on the type of ride you want. But, what do you guys think? What tire air pressure and why?
So far, the Super Sports seem to be working just fine. They may not be as glamourous as the OEM Pirellis and may not grip quite as well, but are still considered to be performance tires with pretty good grip, are pretty quiet, and have 30K miles of tread life; close to twice a much as the OEMs!
But, here's where it gets interesting. When they get to my car, the tech walks in and says that the OEM specs for the S4 tire pressure are 39 fronts & 36 rears. I say OK and, of course, 5 miles down the road - I get a low pressure warning on my right rear tire as I'd forgotten I'd set my tire pressure for 37 all around on my MMI. This is what I seem to remember an Audi tech had told me for the Pirellis when I first got the car.
So I call the Audi dealership from Discount Tire, because a different Discount Tire tech there said the door jam actually says 41 - which didn't seem right.
Audi service is on the line. I ask "What's the correct pressure?"
They're not sure what to tell me and get the *senior mechanic* who says, "38 or 39 all around because it's easier to remember."
The Audi tech is back on the line and I, of course, ask "Well, 38 or 39 - which is better?"
"39"
So I have 39 all around and set my MMI to confirm this vs. 37 all around for the OEMs. But, I'm a bit confused. I realize that you have some latitude with the air pressure, depending on the type of ride you want. But, what do you guys think? What tire air pressure and why?
Last edited by drrick89; 10-21-2011 at 03:33 PM.
10-21-2011, 03:06 PM
#3
Banned
The side walls on these cars are so stiff, you can run what you want. The higher the psi, the less tire wear you will get as long as you don't over inflate too much. Lower pressure will give you a more complaint ride at the expense of increased treadwear. I run my stock 19" Dunlop at 39 psi front and rear. I found that to be a good compromise between ride and treadwear. Others may feel differently.
10-21-2011, 03:12 PM
#4
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I run 41 psi on my Pirellis. I can't give you an exact number for your Super Sports, but one degree isn't going to make all that much of a difference.
Generally speaking, you'll want to run higher PSI for better steering feel, cornering, and gas mileage. Lower pressure is good for rough roads and high temperatures IIRC.
Generally speaking, you'll want to run higher PSI for better steering feel, cornering, and gas mileage. Lower pressure is good for rough roads and high temperatures IIRC.
10-21-2011, 03:16 PM
#5
AudiWorld Super User
Ohh, check you pressures first thing in the morning before you go out driving
10-21-2011, 03:16 PM
#6
Audiworld Junior Member
people in audizine said 39-40 is fine.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...the-dealership
I think tech in Discount Tire forgot to go into MMI to reset the TPMS for you?
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...the-dealership
I think tech in Discount Tire forgot to go into MMI to reset the TPMS for you?
10-21-2011, 03:18 PM
#7
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
I run 41 psi on my Pirellis. I can't give you an exact number for your Super Sports, but one degree isn't going to make all that much of a difference.
Generally speaking, you'll want to run higher PSI for better steering feel, cornering, and gas mileage. Lower pressure is good for rough roads and high temperatures IIRC.
Generally speaking, you'll want to run higher PSI for better steering feel, cornering, and gas mileage. Lower pressure is good for rough roads and high temperatures IIRC.
