Follow manual and fill to 29 PSI or listen to mechanic?

I put more thought into getting new tires than I did in picking a wife. I've owned three Tacomas but this is the first time I ever replaced any tires (First one totaled, second traded in at 30K). Since 95% of my driving is streets and highways, I was concerned that an all terrain tire would be too noisy and uncomfortable. I only have 200 miles on them but they feel as smooth as the stock toyos. I'm very happy with my choice. I did stick with stock tire until I had 47K on them. I don't think I would have made the switch at 8K.

 

I drove 2 miles from the shop at about 30 MPH before I lowered them to 30. Not enough time to notice anything.

 

That's my situation exactly. I want something that won't make my street driving uncomfortable but still has some more off-road capability for the occasional dirt or gravel adventure, fire road, etc. The Michelins seem to fit the bill. I don't need anything overly aggressive since I have a 4x2 and won't be going anywhere that auto LSD can't get me out of.

 

40 front 30 rear.

Factory front pressure is too soft imo and exacerbates the already rather poor handling of these trucks, plus it lower fuel economy.

Since the rear is lightly loaded 95% of the time I keep that at a lower pressure and it helps with the jumps and skips of an empty bed but contributed almost nothing to handling

 

If you see higher wear in the center, you’ll know why. Should be interesting if that even happens if you rotate tires at 5k intervals and change the pressures at rotate.

 

Yes, it's something I try to keep aware of. Only 15k on the truck for now and it is still getting the Toyota services so I have not observed any unusual wear so far

 

Everyone always calls everyone else lazy if they dont do it the way they want. For me two things come to mind, time is money and dicking around trying to get within a PSI takes time when you do a hundred a day or liability exposure (ford and firestone)

I do somewhere between 30 and 35,

 

It’s easy - you get more rolling resistance, more grip, and a plusher ride with lower PSI and less rolling resistance (slightly better mileage), less grip, and a firmer ride with more PSI. But then a host of other factors come into play, such as air and roadway temperatures, the road condition, (i.e., are you on fresh asphalt, chip seal, gravel, dirt, sand?), the weather (dry, wet, snow, ice), the contents of the rubber compound of your tire, the tread and sidewall design, the wear of your tires.

Well, maybe it isn’t so easy after all. Maybe staying within 3 or 4 pounds of the factory recommendation on the sticker would be best.

 

To add on...
The inflated load capacity for your tire size does not increase beyond 35 psi(P-metric) and 36 psi(euro-metric). Anything beyond 35-36 psi is meant to maintain the speed rating of the tire at high speed. Some choose to go beyond for less rolling resistance(mpg) and/or maneuverability. They are doing so, by decreasing the longitudinal footprint(less traction). This cannot be witnessed in latitudinal tread wear or chalk tests.

 

I do something similar, 34 front 30 rear, ish.

 

Setting your machine to 40psi and sticking that in every car, truck and van that rolls through is lazy and my opinion will not change. I am talking about 11psi over which absolutely makes a difference with these tire sizes. Now if it was 32psi, okay whatever its minimal. I also live in Canada where we see 6 months of snow and ice. Try turning in those kind of conditions with your tires overinflated by 40% and you'll understand my frustration.

 

40% of 32 is 12.8 so that would put you at about 45 psi. At 40 psi it would be overinflated by 25% if you considered 32 your base. Also I think the max pressure on the stock p rated tire is 41 psi so while 40 would be over factory recommendations it wouldn’t be considered overinflated for the tire itself. I always set to factory specs regardless of tire unless the customer asks for a specific psi that the service writer will include in the notes. If they want about or below the tire min or max they have to sign a waiver saying they understand the tire is not properly inflated and take responsibility for any future damage to the tire but all shops are a little different when it comes to these things. Do you ever tell your technicians what you want or do you just complain when they can’t read your mind?

 

I have those tire (in 18 inch rims) on my new Tacoma and they came from the factory at 29 PSI. They also indicate a max capacity of 44 PSI. Stick with the 29 psi

 

Jesus...
Here's another factor for the minutiae-minded; they're adjusting warm psi.

 

Refreshing to see a data driven argument.

 

Perhaps your 2nd gen is different but 3rd gens call for 29psi. add 40% and your at 40.6psi. The max tire pressure you're referring to is based off of max weight capacity and is a moot point unless my truck weighs 9,876# as each tire is rated for 2,469# per tire. If I have no additional load you bet they're overinflated. If the tires are causing loss of traction in snow and ice, they're overinflated... I always specifically state where I want the tire pressure and it always gets ignored, which is why this subject frustrates me. Finally got my TRD wheels a couple months back. Asked the service writer to ensure they do 29psi, I checked the pressure that night once the truck had been sitting for hours and they were 45psi. Unacceptable no matter how you attempt to rationalize it.

 

Checked my air pressure the next morning after taking delivery of my truck from the dealer the previous evening. It was set at 36 psi. Door sticker says 29 psi for the 265-65-17 size, so i reduced pressure to 32 for now. I usually leave tire pressure a little higher than manufacturer specifications starting in the fall and continue through winter months. I have found that the pressures will drop a bit overnight because it starts to get much cooler than daytime temps during this time of year, and that keeps it from dropping below specs for morning drive. I do this for normal, driving empty, not towing or offroading.

 

Most tire guys just go with what it says on the tire they don’t care.

 

I’m running 265-75-16 KO2’s load range E at 35 psi front and back. I rotate every 5K miles and they’re wearing beautifully. I try to keep it simple and a number that I’ll remember. Lol

 

I run 37 PSI on the P265/75R16 Wildpeak AT3. Noticeable difference in acceleration and handling from the 29psi. noted on the door with the smaller tire