I've seen on this site, and in the owners manual that the tire pressure should be 32psi. However, the tire itself states the max pressure is 42psi.
Does anyone know which is correct?

 

Both are correct in what they are saying, but both sare saying something different.

You should have your tire pressure set at what the manual states, which I believe is 32 in the front and 30 in the rear.

The maximum tire pressure your tires can handle before they risk exploding is 42 psi.

 

BOOM!

 

You wouldn't believe how loud that actually can be! I overinflated my bicycle tire when I was 10 or so and I nearly shit my pants when it exploded. It's louder than any gunshot I have ever heard. I can only imagine what a car tire would sound like...

 

I used to work with 7-12kW power supplies running 400V and 200A. I really enjoyed the ringing in my ears for a few minutes after I blew up all the power semiconductors. Think 8 M80s at less than 2 feet away.

Of course the first thing out of my mouth the first time I did that was, "SAWHEET!". Then it was "Sh*t!" after I remembered I'd have to fix it.

 

Just out of curiosity, I have a habbit of being hard on my tires and brakes. My tires over time tend to sag and the edges of the tires wear long before the center of the tires. My tire pressure has always been to maual specs. But to try to get an even wear I have added about 5psi to each tire. Is that bad???

 

All of my tires are at 34.5 psi.

 

Ideally the tires should wear evenly across the tread but you will likely have some areas wearing more than others. Typically if the outside edges are wearing faster than the center of the tire then you're probably underinflating your tires. I rarely stick to what the manufacturer says I usually tweak it some.

 

Yeah, I think I will stick to my own psi thing.

 

One thing is to keep your front and rears properly inflated... but to really get even wear you need to rotate them as well... and readjust the tire pressure.

 

I do all of that and still have the edges of the tire wear before the center. This has happened on every car I have owned.

 

If you're wearing your sidewalls, that's because of a very spirited driving, and then you should add a little more pressure, something in the 36-38PSI.

 

Yeah... just add a 2-3 psi more to both the front and rear. that should cure that. I think i run 3 over spec.

but i have to say that I've had even tire wear using spec inflation.

 

I've got those nifty little color inflation indicators on my tires. Green when 32 front, 30 rear. They turn yellow, then red if you lose inflation, but they've been green since I've had the car.

I hope they're correct!! I may get a 2nd opinion from a tire guage.

 

Those nefty tire indicators are not accurate at all... could be off as much as 5 psi if not more. If you want accuracy then you need a good gauge. If you are just using them to make sure you don't have a problem then fine.

 

Yup. I have those things on my car as well. Even on the spare.

I use them as a "oops I've got a leak or flat" quick walk around.

From the package they even say:

Green = Good
Yellow = 4psi low
Red = 8psi low (I think).

Either way, 4psi is a LOT. It's not meant to substitute for a good tire gauge.

 

I'd suggest going out and spending a few bucks to get a good tire guage. I've got a nice digital one with a flashlight on the other end so its a usefull tool to keep in the car.

 

I just installed those on my car as well. I put the 36 psi caps up front, and the 34 psi caps in the back. If the pressure drops below Acura's recommendations, I'll know right away. I tend to overinflate the tires a bit anyway (keeping the front about 35 psi, and the back about 32 - 33 psi).