CX9 Tyre pressures

[clarko]

We all know that all cars come with a plaque with the so called correct tyre pressures on it, but I have always found the need to increase this figure a fair bit for optimum performance, I don't mind sacrificing a little comfort for a better steering car.
I have always been fussy with my tyre pressures, but I have been having so much fun with the rest of my 9 that I had forgotten about re-adjusting tyre pressures until the other day when I was towing my boat I noticed the back tyres looked a little flat, then I realised that it was in getting the 1000k check over from the dealer the week before and they must have adjusted the pressures. I then put the gauge on them and found all 4 wheels had exactly 32psi in them.
Mine has the 20" wheels, but would be interested to hear from all, what pressures you run in your CX9, and that can be for both 18 & 20" wheels.
Maybe then I can take an average of all and come up with the best tyre pressure.(2thumbs)

[SydneyGuy]

You know I haven't even checked the tyre pressures in the 3 months I've owned my CX-9. They do look OK but I really should check them I suppose. I should check the plate too because at the moment I have no idea what the recommended pressures are either.

[kosh2258]

We all know that all cars come with a plaque with the so called correct tyre pressures on it, but I have always found the need to increase this figure a fair bit for optimum performance, I don't mind sacrificing a little comfort for a better steering car.
I have always been fussy with my tyre pressures, but I have been having so much fun with the rest of my 9 that I had forgotten about re-adjusting tyre pressures until the other day when I was towing my boat I noticed the back tyres looked a little flat, then I realised that it was in getting the 1000k check over from the dealer the week before and they must have adjusted the pressures. I then put the gauge on them and found all 4 wheels had exactly 32lb in them.
Mine has the 20" wheels, but would be interested to hear from all, what pressures you run in your CX9, and that can be for both 18 & 20" wheels.
Maybe then I can take an average of all and come up with the best tyre pressure.(2thumbs)

U.S. placard says 34/34 psi f/r. The tires have a max rating of 51 psi and I'm running mine at 41 psi f/r. It definitely makes the vehicle handle better running the higher psi, not to mention it assists in reducing rolling resistance to help the mileage a bit.

Ted

[clarko]

I pumped all of mine up to 40psi yesterday and found it turned into the corners much better, yet I did not even notice any difference in the ride.
Also feels lighter at parking speed.

[SydneyGuy]

Just watch for excessive wear in the centre of the tyre if you are going to overinflate them. It's not usually too much of a problem though as most tyres tend to wear on the edges first due to mis-alignment.

[16ue]

I have the GT AWD with the 20" wheels as well. For the first 2 weeks of ownership, I found that the ride was a little harsh on bumpy roads, which we have plently in the Bay Area (California). I then checked the tire pressure and found that it was 42 psi on all 4 wheels. Since then I lowered it to 36 psi and found the ride was smoother over the bumps. However, I forgot how it handled previously with the overinflated tires so I cannot tell if handling is any different. I may bump up the pressure to 39 and see how that may work. By the way, the pressure I am quoting here is when the tires are cold. I found the pressure will increase 4 to 5 psi when they were hot.

[clarko]

By the way, the pressure I am quoting here is when the tires are cold. I found the pressure will increase 4 to 5 psi when they were hot.


Thats a worthy point, my pressures were read after driving around for an hour, so I guess my 40psi would be when hot. That also means the 32psi the dealers did would be somewhat even less when cold, no wonder it felt spongy.

[AussieCX9]

I run 36psi all round when tyres are cold.
I find that I have to check my tyre pressures every month because even a difference of 5psi tends to make my CX9 steering slightly pull to the side.

[kosh2258]

The thing to keep in mind is that manufacturers typically set tire pressures to maximize the ride quality, not optimize the handling. So inflating the tires to a higher pressure isn't necessarily over-inflating them.

That said, one definitely doesn't want to inflate them such that they'll be near the max inflation pressure when hot. That's why I usually check my tires both cold and hot to see what that range is.

Running these tires in the high 30's and low 40's psi range shouldn't present any problems with excessive wear.

Ted

[rogerspw]

My CX-9 was delivered with 45psi in each (18") tire, and it was loud, stiff and uncomfortable. I brought them down to 32psi, and it drives like a dream. If I was carrying any load, or summer time road trip at 110F, I would definately put up to 40psi.