elkayem

So recently I have put some Blizzak WS50's (235/45/17) on to get ready for winter. The shop installed them for me. Just yesturday, the TMPS error went on and told me my front right tire pressure was too low. So I adjusted it, I put in some air for all the tires so it follows what the manual says (240/230 kPa front, 220kPa rear).

Actually, the reading on my dash says Front: L:235 R:235 Rear L:220 R:235
Those are the approximate numbers, cuz some how they keep changing as I drive. But anyway, back to my main point. Should I fix the two front and rear right cuz they have the same pressure? And I realize the car feel very very slippery in the rain. Before, it didn't feel as slippery, but today, I went in a parking lot and tried to test the grip (did that hard sway left hard sway right thing) and the rear kept swinging out and VSA kept flashing. Is that normal?

Also, I went on the highway today and it made ALOT of noise. The tires sounded like they're understress or something. It's almost like, rolling hard rubber on asphault. Maybe tire pressure is too high for the tires causing them to be too hard?

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

for winter I just put the same all the way around... not too sure on the canada readings but I guess 235 all the way around

US - 35 psi

elkayem

Well, I followed what the manual said. We should be the same right?

So should it be softer front harder rear or the other way around?

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

I just ignore it and put the same amount on all 4 tires some have found that 35psi all the way around works... others like 34psi... currently I am at 34psi and there is some sidewall softness but it adds to the grip

my friend who works at a tire shop said do 32front 30rear since you need the winter tire to spread for more traction

elkayem

Thanks for the info....

I went with 35psi also, but I don't know. The wheels feel quite hard. And it handles like a POS, major understeer. And when I say major, I mean major.
I'm planning on putting in lower pressure. Around 32 like you said.

Simba91102

First you have to realize that the WS-50 is one of the more aggressive snow tires (in snow traction I mean). Among other things, this means a much softer sidewall which is most likely the major cause of your oversteer condition (which will be exacerbated by equal tire pressures in all 4 tires). This particular tire is also not great in the rain as you've discovered. It's too late now, but if you really wanted a go-anywhere-anytime winter setup, you probably should have popped for a narrower tire, preferably one of the newer designs (WS-50's have been around for quite some time) on a narrower wheel. Water under the bridge. Not much to be done about the wet road handling; try staggered pressures (like 35 front, 32 rear) to rein in that oversteer.

elkayem

I made a mistake, they're WS60's but I guess they're pretty much the same other than the threads?

And I'll try that 35F 32R, thanks for the help Simba. I guess I did choose a too hardcore winter tire.

proudacuraownr

In the front of my TL is 36 and the rear is 29

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

1 thing you must consider is the temperature your setting the tires at, a 10f change in temp will drop the pressure 1-2psi, so when you set them to 35f32r and it gets cold your tires could become drastically under inflated. I set mine at a 0c cold tire temp and assumed an average ambient temperature of -5c for the current month so I made a compensation and went up 2psi in each tire. You will more than likely need to adjust tire temp in the winter more frequently due to the wild swings in ambient air temp.

elkayem

Well, I set it to what the manual said after the car was sitting on the street for 5 hours.

Today, I went on the highway for a bit, and the front tire readings went all the way to 250kPa..."36psi"...
is that normal?
The car feels extremely scary going 100km/h too, feels like a feather, almost like the rear wants the break loose.

Simba91102

Welcome to the world of snow tires. It may be scary at first, but it sounds normal to me. Between the softer sidewall and the fact that they're new (new snow tires tend to have around 1/32 more tread on them when new compared to most all season or summer tires; 11/32 versus 10/32 for instance)(doesn't sound like much, but it's 10%). And to the naysayers, no it's not a rule that's cast in stone, but that's often the case. The wide low profile tire on your 8" wheels makes it even more noticeable I'm afraid. Also, the big well defined tread on the tires makes the tread more squishy along with the softer sidewall. Bottom line in my opinion is inflate your tires to the recommended pressure plus 2 (old rule of thumb with snow tires) outside as you've done (good move that allot of people don't do) and go with it. Personally, I have no use for the whole TPMS babysitter anyway, so I say just ignore it, but if it's acting strangely and that bothers you, then I have no advice on that front.