Hi.

I have a 2001 Ford Escort Finesse Estate fitted with Pirelli P6000 195/50 
R15 V-rated tyres.

All figures are for normal use as I only ever carry a maximum of two 
passengers.

The handbook and the Ford dealer say:
Front: 2.4 bar (35psi)
Rear: 2.2 bar (32 psi).

The tyre dealer (KwikFit) says 2.2 bar (32 psi) all round.

Autodata says:
Front: 2 bar (29psi)
Rear: 1.8 bar (26 psi).

The Pirelli website has no information so I have emailed them.

The handbook pressures seem very high to me. I have been running them at the 
Autodata pressures and have not noticed any problems.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
Martin.

"Martin" <martin@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:5_%Ke.87377$G8.24298@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

> Hi.
>
> I have a 2001 Ford Escort Finesse Estate fitted with Pirelli P6000 195/50
> R15 V-rated tyres.
>
> All figures are for normal use as I only ever carry a maximum of two
> passengers.
>
> The handbook and the Ford dealer say:
> Front: 2.4 bar (35psi)
> Rear: 2.2 bar (32 psi).
>
> The tyre dealer (KwikFit) says 2.2 bar (32 psi) all round.
>
> Autodata says:
> Front: 2 bar (29psi)
> Rear: 1.8 bar (26 psi).
>
> The Pirelli website has no information so I have emailed them.
>
> The handbook pressures seem very high to me. I have been running them at
the
> Autodata pressures and have not noticed any problems.
>
> Any thoughts?


Yes. Start from any set of recommended pressures. Experiment by raising or
lowering the pressures on each axle by 1psi until you arrive at a setting
that suits the roadholding of the car, and doesn't give uneven tyre wear.
Changing the make or type of tyre can alter those figures BTW.
Works for me. I usually start off at 30psi.
If you don't want the hassle, just keep an eye on the tyres. If they show
more wear in the middle, reduce the pressures slightly. More on the outside,
increase the pressure.
IME tyre pressures are not that critical within a few pound of nominal, but
can make quite a difference to the way a car handles.
Mike.

Martin wrote:

> 
> Hi.
> 
> I have a 2001 Ford Escort Finesse Estate fitted with Pirelli P6000 195/50
> R15 V-rated tyres.
> 
> All figures are for normal use as I only ever carry a maximum of two
> passengers.
> 
> The handbook and the Ford dealer say:
> Front: 2.4 bar (35psi)
> Rear: 2.2 bar (32 psi).
> 
> The tyre dealer (KwikFit) says 2.2 bar (32 psi) all round.
> 
> Autodata says:
> Front: 2 bar (29psi)
> Rear: 1.8 bar (26 psi).
> 
> The Pirelli website has no information so I have emailed them.
> 
> The handbook pressures seem very high to me. I have been running them at the
> Autodata pressures and have not noticed any problems.
> 
> Any thoughts?
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> Martin.


Are these tyres standard fit or special low profile? The handbook might
not assume a special tyre fit. Lower profile tyres must in general have
higher pressures, otherwise you could damage the rims.

"Mike G"  wrote in message 
news:42fdfb6a$0$1226$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader01.plus.net...


> Yes. Start from any set of recommended pressures. Experiment by raising or
> lowering the pressures on each axle by 1psi until you arrive at a setting
> that suits the roadholding of the car, and doesn't give uneven tyre wear.
> Changing the make or type of tyre can alter those figures BTW.
> Works for me. I usually start off at 30psi.
> If you don't want the hassle, just keep an eye on the tyres. If they show
> more wear in the middle, reduce the pressures slightly. More on the 
> outside,
> increase the pressure.
> IME tyre pressures are not that critical within a few pound of nominal, 
> but
> can make quite a difference to the way a car handles.
> Mike.


The tyres seem to be wearing evenly so far after 5,000 miles and handling 
seems OK to me (for an Escort Estate that is...), so I'll probably leave 
them at the lower pressures.

Pirelli simply said go with the handbook/manufacturer figure, i.e. 6 psi per 
tyre over the current pressures. Hmmm.

Thanks for your help.

Martin.

"Johannes"  wrote in message 
news:42FE16F1.67A77280@spam-gets-nowhere-sizefitter.com...

>
>
> Martin wrote:
>>
>> Hi.
>>
>> I have a 2001 Ford Escort Finesse Estate fitted with Pirelli P6000 195/50
>> R15 V-rated tyres.
>>
>> All figures are for normal use as I only ever carry a maximum of two
>> passengers.
>>
>> The handbook and the Ford dealer say:
>> Front: 2.4 bar (35psi)
>> Rear: 2.2 bar (32 psi).
>>
>> The tyre dealer (KwikFit) says 2.2 bar (32 psi) all round.
>>
>> Autodata says:
>> Front: 2 bar (29psi)
>> Rear: 1.8 bar (26 psi).
>>
>> The Pirelli website has no information so I have emailed them.
>>
>> The handbook pressures seem very high to me. I have been running them at 
>> the
>> Autodata pressures and have not noticed any problems.
>>
>> Any thoughts?
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Martin.
>
> Are these tyres standard fit or special low profile? The handbook might
> not assume a special tyre fit. Lower profile tyres must in general have
> higher pressures, otherwise you could damage the rims.


They are one of the standard fitment sizes on this end of the model range 
Finesse, i.e. the handbook lists the tyre size 195/50 R15 specifically.

I don't recall the make of tyres originally fitted (possibly Michelin), but 
they were certainly the same dimensions as these.

I just have this vision of Noddy's car with the big balloon tyres if I up 
all the pressures by 6 psi...

Thanks for your thoughts,
Martin.