Correct tire pressure for stock tires

I have the stock Dunlop Grand Trek AT20 in P245/75R16. The sidewall says the max PSI is 51 PSI (!). I have an '08 Tacoma 4 dr. and rarely carry a load. What's a realistic tire pressure to run?

 

I checked mine from the factory and they were set at 50 psi. I think they set them high for better gas mileage. I reset mine to 38 in the front and 35 in the back, the truck rides nicer, but I lost a little mpg. I figured the extra weight in the front meant I could run the pressure a little higher, and with the light weight in the back, I might get a little better traction with lower pressure.

 

I think it says 29 psi on my door jam.

 

mine says 29front and 32 rear. but i got an offroad access cab 4x4

 

The door jamb sticker says 29 psi cold. Since the max is 51, I think anywhere in between 29 and 51 would be acceptable? I guess I should mention the tires allegedly had nitrogen in them as opposed to air. I'm looking for good mileage, comfortable ride and decent traction in the rain

 

Don't just randomly pick a number. The Chalk Line test was linked above- Use it to find the best pressure for tire wear and then adjust from there.

The problem with your good mileage AND comfortable ride is that mileage is gained with harder tires (to a point) and that makes the ride a bit rougher. Lower pressure helps with traction patch and ride...but increases the rolling resistance and lower mpgs. So my guess is that if you find the perfect tire wear number- That should be where you leave it.

 

I think running them under-inflated shortens tire life due to over-flexing the sidewalls. Natural air is about 70% nitrogen so I never buy nitrogen gas. I guess I am just cheap.