[CordyG]

Hi everyone this is my first post but I've been lurking these forums for a while now. Bought my very first new car, a Hematite Metallic 2014 Accord LX about 4 months ago in March as a birthday present to myself. Last week, I bought a digital tire gauge to check the air pressure on my tires before going on a trip to GA in a couple weeks. Turns out the front left tire was a little low at 31PSI. I drive the car to the nearest service station to fill the tire up with a little air. Went off to work and checked the tire the next morning to ensure that the cold pressure was now at 33PSI. It was still not right so instead I took the car back to the gas station and this time decide to measure the pressure in the front right tire as a comparison to know what the warm pressure should be. While doing so I ended up letting a little air out of the front left tire by accident with the gauge and to make a long story short the pressure in the two front tires ended up being mismatched and the ride of the car didnt feel balanced and the front right tire was now underinflated.

Decided to just take the car to a tire shop nearby this morning to avoid waiting 30 mins at the dealer just to even out the tire pressure. When I arrived, the tire shop attendant insisted on filling my tires to 40 PSI stating that 16 inch tires "are supposed to be set to 40PSI." When I politely declined and requested that the front tires be set to 33PSI as that's what the manufacturer of the vehicle recommends he kept insisting he fill them to 40PSI or else the TPMS light would 'act up'. Finally he took no for an answer and proceeded to then put air in all 4 of my tires when I only requested the front two because the two rears were perfect. Didnt think much of it since I figured he was just checking all tires to make sure they were all the right levels. The ride of the car was noticeably harsh and he had inflated all four of my tires with air to whichever level he felt like. I immediately pulled over and checked the inflation knowing there was no way it was right since the tires were still fairly cool. My two rears are now at 36 PSI-(they're supposed to be at 32) and the fronts were at 35.5 PSI (33 recommended). The car now rides like an old pickup truck especially when driving over bridge joints which are common in my area and can't take such a harsh ride and can only imagine how many rattles the car will develop crashing over bumps like that on the freeway.

Anyone have any suggestions on where I could set the tires to still have a comfortable ride without having to worry about any harshness but still give myself some margin for inaccuracy of my tire gauge showing correct tire pressure? :dunno: I notice the Accord seems very sensitive to tire pressure levels. I just want a pressure that will give me a good ride and allow the car to handle well. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[karfreek]

33psi.

Jay

 

[djkev21]

all mine are set at 35 and i have no issues

 

[Markus]

Your post is very hard to read. Break it up into smaller paragraphs please.


I recommend you use your gauge and set the pressures yourself and not take it to a tire place to set the pressures. There's only one way to guarantee correct pressure - DIY.

Find a pressure in the 32-36 range that you are comfortable driving with. Experiment a little. Generally the higher the pressure the harder the ride and the lower the pressure the more fuel you'll use. There a compromise in there that's right for YOU.

 

[notfast]

You're over thinking and stressing about something that isn't a huge deal. 33-35psi in all 4 and you're fine.

Any "issues" you're noticing are more than likely your mind playing tricks on you.

 

[Baldeagle]

34 psi and Honda does have a firm ride. That is normal and by design. Its not a Camry or Buick. A little impact harshness should be expected.

 

[abitolder]

Your tire pressure when measured hot will be a few pounds higher than when you measure it first thing in the morning when tires are cold and you have not driven on them. Check your pressure cold, if it is too high just bleed it down. The service guy was putting a few more pounds in because tires were hot and he was probably trying to compensate for when they cooled down they would be correct.

 

[II Kings 9:20]

Your post is very hard to read. Break it up into smaller paragraphs please.


I recommend you use your gauge and set the pressures yourself and not take it to a tire place to set the pressures. There's only one way to guarantee correct pressure - DIY.

Find a pressure in the 32-36 range that you are comfortable driving with. Experiment a little. Generally the higher the pressure the harder the ride and the lower the pressure the more fuel you'll use. There a compromise in there that's right for YOU.

+100 set and check yourself. One caveat, I was doing 70 on I-70
and my TPMS light came on (almost had to change my undershorts) whilst riding in the wake of an 18 wheeler. I checked my PSI and discovered 40 all around using by glovebox gauge. I had been using my gauge in the garage which was defective. Point is, check with two gauges, they should agree. Scroll to post 10 here for details

You're over thinking and stressing about something that isn't a huge deal. 33-35psi in all 4 and you're fine.

Any "issues" you're noticing are more than likely your mind playing tricks on you.

Funny how people think they can tell a difference in 1 or 2 PSI. Maybe a professional racer on the track at the limit might be able to tell but 1 PSI is within the margin of error of the gauge. I agree with others, 33-35 is fine.

 

[Valor_X]

35 PSI wont hurt anything - in fact you shouldn't even be able to tell the difference from 33 PSI

You're making it sound like they over inflated the tires to 45 PSI

 

[Uncle Luc]

What I don't understand is how you let a random mechanic do something to your car especially when you said 'No already...

 

[stylez09]

Since you already drove right before checking your psi, the pressure probably went up a few psi since your tires warmed up. Even then 35 psi is nothing to worry about. It's all in your head man. I drive with my tires at 35 in the front and 34 in the rear.

 

[drowned12]

Jeez just buy a freaking wall outlet pump for your garage so you don't have to deal with bozos.

My door sticker says 30 PSI so that's what I inflate to. I only check/inflate after the car has sat in my garage for a couple of hours so I know they're close-to-ambient temperature. I use this one:

. It's slow and requires ear muffs because it cranks so loud, but 2 years later it still works fine.

Prius drivers do some crazy crap like 40+ PSI...so as far as overinflation, don't worry about it. They probably go up to crazy high PSI when hot.

 

[Pete240z]

Yeah, buy a little compressor and DIY.

 

[tea]

It's not a big deal. I think you're over reacting to this. Just remove the cover and release some air if you wanna lower the psi

 

[constricted]

i have a little craftsman compressor i can plug into my cig lighter or a wall socket and just do it in my driveway.. its got a little dial you set and bam, all 4 tires inflated to the same pressure

 

[Lysol0_0]

Most gas stations I've been to have free air pumps out front...just set them yourself. Like everyone else has said, 32-34 is a good target.

On a side note, the Toyota dealership I used to work at back in school used to set pressures at 40psi all day. You shouldn't feel much difference, it just may wear the inside tread of your tires faster.

 

[RickBlaine]

Thread-O-Drama!

 

[Atarian]

As long as you don't exceed the pressure that's on the sidewall of the tire you're fine. I ran mine at 40 PSI for a few tanks to see if the ride was worse and the mileage better. I really couldn't tell any difference on either from my usual 35 PSI, so they are all back to that pressure. I think Honda's recommendations are for a balance of ride quality and fuel economy.

 

[wiseguywm]

Putting air in the tires has to be one of the easiest DIY. Adjust tire pressure when the tire is cool to your desired PSI and expect expansion once the tires warmup. Don't overthink this. As far as asking a tire shop to do it for you. Once he recommended 40psi you should have gotten out of there fast. What ever you do don't buy tires from that guy.:yes:

 

[MJL]

wtf is this thread serious? you lost a little air from the front from the gauge and couldnt just add what the sticker on the door said. or even the owners manual? i stopped reading after that part. figured inflating the tires should be common sense.