I'm still learning about my 06 RL. I've got the stock 17" wheels with General Exclaim UHP 245/50 ZR17 tires on it. Right now the tire pressure is set around 41-43 depending on the tire (41 in back, 43 in front).

The car recommends pressure in the 30's. If I lower it in the 30's how will that affect handling and road noise? They are quite noisy in the 40's, so wondering if I let out about 5-7psi all around if they'll ride quieter. I know it's not a quiet tire to begin with, but trying to avoid $700 in tires at the moment.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Every tire is different, but I would say that is too high....enough so to add to a buzzy ride & increased tire noise.

The recommended cold tire pressure is in the low 30's. I believe the OEM Michelins were recommended 32/30 F/R....assuming you are in OEM spec/size tires.

However most of us have learned a 1-2psi difference will noticeably affect how this car rides and most have settled in the mid 30psi range. Low 30s offer maximum comfort but seemed to produce early shoulder wear and induce flatspotting on some tire models. The higher you go, more vibration and road noise is likely.

I run 36psi all around and have found that to be the best balance for the BS Turanza Serenties.

YRMV

 

I run 32 cold all around on my serenities. I get about 23 mpg in mixed driving and no sign of unusual wear after 30k miles. I rotate every time mid tells me to change the oil.

Tampa, glad you are still liking those Sereneties.

 

I believe I am 37/36. I recently changed from 32/30. I did not see any difference in MPG, noise, or handling.

I'm with Tampa though. 40+ is too high.

 

I went down to 36rear/35 front. It made a world of difference. The ride is much nicer. There's still road noise, but not nearly as bad (still not wear I expect it to be for a luxury sedan). I'm going to ride around like this for a while to see how it is. If I still don't like it, I'll drop down to 34rear/32front. If I still don't like it, then it's time to shop for Serenity's. Thanks again for your help.

 

Wouldnt suggest dropping it, my Continental tires recommend 40 psi, the road noise is hoirrble in the RL anyway, that's what comes with super wide ass tires

 

1) You do not inflate tires per the test specs of the tire (as on the sidewall). You inflate the tires in range as to how the vehicle manufacturer recommends for that vehicle.

2) The RL is VERY quiet when equipped with tires engineered for low noise AND they are inflated appropriately.

There are YEARS worth of information on these topics in this forum alone.

 

Used Michelin Pilot Sport A/S for years on our RL ( stock 17s ) and I had them between 32 to 34 psi depending on the season. They did not seem noisy to me and they wore very evenly after 40k miles. Most even wearing tire I have used.

Recently switched to Falken Azenis 722s on 18x8 after market TSW rims. 35 psi all round. Noisier on rough roads for sure ( and a little jittery on uneven ground) but real solid and smooth on the highway. Quiet too. Thinking increased noise may have to do with the lower tire sidewall on 18s than on stock 17s ?

 

I'm running the UHP's also at 35psi front and rear. My dealership installed the tires and purged them and filled them with NP98. (nitrogen).

 

Maybe you should put your interior back in.

 

^lol

 

What is purging and using nitrogen do?

 

I too have the falken pt722 they are pretty smooth but they suck ass in the rain and cornering dry or wet!

 

It's not quite the same as purging and methane.

Ask Heavy.

 

Hmmm... I have not cornered hard on my Falken Azenis 722s but I only put them on a month or two back. But I don't find them any worse than the Mich Pilot Sport A/S that I had before, dry or wet. But I did go from 245/50/17 (Mich) to 245/45/18 (Falken) and my offset in my aftermarket TSW rims are a little more aggressive than the OEM rims.

How many miles on your PT 722s ?