19" vs 18" tire pressures

[17MKZ3.0TT]

I bought my 2017 3.0T AWD with the optional 19" wheels and the driver's sill sticker says I should (and do) run them at 38PSI Cold. I seem to remember many years ago that the two sizes available on my Buick LeSabre had different tire pressure recommendations, with the smaller wheel/taller sidewall ones being a pound or two less. If anyone has a 2017 3.0T AWD with the std. 18" wheels, would you please a moment to check the tire pressure sticker as you're getting in and post back if it says 38PSI like mine? Thanks!  

[17MKZ3.0TT]

OK, how about any year/engine/drivetrain MKZs with OEM 18" wheels? What are your sill sticker's tire PSI recommendations, please? TIA ☺

[bbf2530]

2 hours ago, 17MKZ3.0TT said:

OK, how about any year/engine/drivetrain MKZs with OEM 18" wheels? What are your sill sticker's tire PSI recommendations, please? TIA ☺

 

 

Hi 17MKZ. The information I can find states the recommended tire pressure for the 2017 MKZ with the 18" wheel/tire combination is 34psi f/r.

 

Good luck.

Edited December 29, 2020 by bbf2530

[17MKZ3.0TT]

Thanks bbf, that jives with what I recall from the different pressures used in 15" and 16" Buick LeSabre tires, with the larger wheel (shorter sidewall) using higher tire pressure. I'll drop my four 18" Blizzaks down from the 38psi of my 19" OEM and see if they still ride ok. I have never seen a sill sticker with the wrong pressure for the listed tire size, so I'd still appreciate if any 18" owner would glance at the sticker psi and comment here also. Thanks again, bbf! 

[CDW6212R]

Be careful about following recommendations of OEM for everything without full considerations. Recall that the Explorer had recalled tires from Firestone, those were listed on the door jamb as 24-28ish psi, some low numbers. That was Ford choosing low levels for a better ride, and it caused higher temps in the tires on longer drives. Those tires actually were 35psi tires, on the sidewall printing. Running any tire too low makes more heat, having them a little low on purpose like the Explorer, and time and weather cause them to end up even lower, go on a trip and blow out a tire ... that happened a lot. The wrong goal pressure and normal tire care, pushed those tires over the limit due to expected drops of psi. They did have some kind of inferior tire quality in those tires, but the actual pressure they were set to, was additional trouble.

 

Any vehicle needs different pressures based on the driver and how they drive their car, the tire itself(each tire is different), plus the OEM recommendations. Consider all of those and adjust pressures as needed to obtain the best tire wear, and ride etc.

 

A 35psi tire(the sidewall rating) needs different pressure from a 44psi tire, or a 51psi tire, etc. Always start by being sure the tire in question is rated like the factory tire, if it's a higher rating, it needs more air, and don't mix tires of different ratings. It's a learning curve for each vehicle you own and drive, figuring out what pressures work best for you. I like to start with pressures 5-6psi below the tire rating in the front of my vehicles, and a little less than that in the rear. For a 44psi tire, I tend to start with around 38psi in the front, and 34 or 35psi in the back. My vehicles are typically much heavier in the front, not light sedans with nice weight distribution.