sptt, tire inflation pressure information is also on the driver's door jamb and in the Owner's Manual. You can regularly run your tires at up to 34psi without any problems ... 27psi gives a very cushy ride.

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Fred Hoelzle

Thanks Ferdman! I don't have anything in my door jambs as that is where I first looked and it did not come with an owner's manual. It does have the sticker in the gas tank door but I just learned that today. Cushy ride is what I am after! I already deflated to 27psi and am going to get the rotation and balance done. You cannot see any visible wear on the tires...they look so even compared to my son's new Nissan Truck and my wife's Altima SER (those tires go way too fast!).

http://www.michelinman.com/tire-care/

Improperly Inflated Tires are Invisibly Damaged by the Improper PSI.
(AND MAY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING,DURING HIGH SPEED/HIGH STRESS OPERATION)

I've always assumed the Wankers that operate BMW automobiles have NO
IDEA/THOUGHT about Tire Safety and Avoid them on the Roadways Like the
Plague.[Flying Doctor Syndrome/A.K.A. American M.D. with a Pilot's License]

Now I have to start worrying about Mercedes owners !

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128

Hey now, them's fightin' words!

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Thanks Compress Ignite. That was very helpful and I am saving in My Favorites. I had my tires rotated and balanced today. It was 10,800 miles ago when I had them done at Firestone. They have 35K on them now (and I meant they were new, and now have 40K on them but could see how that read differently...my apologies) and Firestone said they looked like they only had about 15K on them and are in great shape. They had also inflated them to 36 psi and I had them put back down to 27 psi. I asked why they did this and said that is what they had in their system for my car...is that possible? My tires are rated at max 45psi (not low profile but standard). I will definately pay close attention to this area from now on and always check my tires correctly! Anyway, thanks to all for the helpful info.

I used to Inflate the First set of Michelin Xs I Owned to the Max PSI figure
ON THE TIRE SIDEWALL. 35 PSI
Foolishly, believing I'd get the best Fuel Mileage And Most Longevity of Tread.
Well,I did.
That SD regularly enjoyed 27MPG in mixed driving,with not a few JackRabbit starts.
The Michelin Xs (80,000 mile treadwear warranty from Michelin) still had usable
tread at 120,000 miles.

BUT,If I'd gotten "In a Tight Place" in an emergency the Tires might have shown
all that High Pressure Running to me in a way I'd have regretted.

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

Are in the Business of SELLING tires.
[AND relieving your Pocketbook/Wallet of the burden of excess cash.]

They are NOT in the business of inflating your Mercedes tires to the Proper PSI.

(Can you buy Michelins at Firestone?)

Please note My Caveat about Tires:

Michelin makes ROUND tires.
A bunch of other people Manufacture TugBoat Gunwale Protection Devices.
That I WILL NOT BE CAUGHT DEAD ROLLING AROUND ON.

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

I'll look into those Michelins next time! I have some Dunlops right now but would never expect 80-100k in any tires I have ever bought. Wow!

Agreed on inflation. When I have my oil changed (only when I don't have time) I often have to argue with them about tire inflation, they will check the pressures and tell me that they need more air per the sidewall. They don't understand that the sidewall pressure is the maximum for carrying the maximum rated load at the maximum rated speed, ...

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I have found that 36PSI is the magical number for tire pressure on my TE. It minimizes tire roll under cornering, but is not super stiff under normal driving.... Also makes turn in a bit more crisp.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I ran mine to work today after deflating tires down to 27psi and getting rotation and balance done. The ride was Super Smooth and comfortable but I did notice it didn't handle as well at the front end but had less road noise and was much quieter which was very nice! Didn't seem to struggle any more on acceleration either than with heavier psi...