I have about 2200 miles on my 2015 CX-5 Touring, FWD. After reading here about all the various tire pressures you all end up with from the dealer - I finally went out and checked them today. All four tires registered right at 40 - the sticker notates it should be 34. Is this enough overage to have them deflated to the recommended pressure? Thanks!
Tire Pressure From Dealer
- Thread starter Tango2014
- Start date
34 psig is the correct value for the 17 inch touring tires and I set mine in the morning before driving. The higher pressure is what the manufacture uses to mount the tires and is used for shipping. The dealer is responsible for set them to the 34 psig before selling the vehicle. Ed
There could be several reasons why your tires where reading at 40psi. Outside temperature, direct sunlight and driving use will all have an effect on tire pressure. So the question is, when did you check your tire pressure and under what conditions? If you checked them in the afternoon on a warm day after the tires had been sitting in the sun then it doesn't surprise me that you would see 5-6psi higher then recommended. You should check your pressure in the earlier morning with the vehicle in the shade, Cold. The general rule of thumb is for every 10 degrees in temperature change there is a 1psi change in tire pressure, about 2%. That works in either direction of the temp changes, colder loses pressure, hotter gains pressure. Additionally, you will gain about 1psi for every 5mins of driving up to about 20min of driving for a total of about 5psi. Here is a link to a very good article about tire pressure and the effects of temp and driving: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=73
So I don't think you seeing 40 PSI is to far off of what could be expected depending on when and how you checked them. Typically the cars will come severally over inflated so the tires don't get flat spots during transport, usually up near the limit for the tires (what is marked on the sidewall as Max PSI). When I picked my car up the pre-sale check list was never completed and my tires where all inflated to 48psi. I noticed a loss of traction going around an on ramp and the car was very squirrely. I checked the tires the next morning in the 55 degree garage and that's when I discovered 48PSI in all the tires. Way to high and un-safe given the fact that my 19" toyo's have a max PSI rating of 51psi. I was rather pissed at the dealer for letting that one slip and told them so.
Now, it could be that your dealer slightly over inflated the tires while it sat on the lot but it's not dangerously high like mine were. I would make sure you read that article and check your tire pressure in the morning when the tires are cold.
So I don't think you seeing 40 PSI is to far off of what could be expected depending on when and how you checked them. Typically the cars will come severally over inflated so the tires don't get flat spots during transport, usually up near the limit for the tires (what is marked on the sidewall as Max PSI). When I picked my car up the pre-sale check list was never completed and my tires where all inflated to 48psi. I noticed a loss of traction going around an on ramp and the car was very squirrely. I checked the tires the next morning in the 55 degree garage and that's when I discovered 48PSI in all the tires. Way to high and un-safe given the fact that my 19" toyo's have a max PSI rating of 51psi. I was rather pissed at the dealer for letting that one slip and told them so.
Now, it could be that your dealer slightly over inflated the tires while it sat on the lot but it's not dangerously high like mine were. I would make sure you read that article and check your tire pressure in the morning when the tires are cold.
Thanks for reply. I was aware of the temp issue with the tires and I am a very conservative driver - probably to a fault! Mostly urban. The car had been idle for several hours in our double garage which stays pretty comfortable as it is on the east side of the house. Wasn't sure exactly how long it sat...so after I read your post, I checked them again this morning - still reading 40. So again....is this enough overage to have them adjusted down. Also, how would a technician be able to do this since on your way to their facility the tires would be hot? Would we have to leave it there 'til they cool down? Looking forward to your input - which I have found very helpful on several other issues on this forum.(bowdown)
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- 2023 CX-5 Premium; 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatch
Tango2014: I'm as baffled by your second post as I was your first. Are you saying you are incapable of letting air out of your tires after you get a reading of 40 psi in your relatively cool garage? This is not something you need a certified Mazda repair tech to do. If you are capable of taking a reading of 40 psi, you are certainly capable of letting some air out to get the to the proper reading of 34 psi. This reads like the "strangest post of the month", unless I am missing something here!
What You Are Missing......
However, I'm starting to get paranoid....I now have received TWO 'Awards' from you (one on another forum)...."The Lamest Post" and now "The Strangest Post". You must realize that not everyone on here has such expertise as you.....so please....lighten up a bit. (Not that I can't take it!)
You are missing the fact that I am a 63 years 'young' Veteran (USAF) gal who comes on here to learn everything and anything about my CX-5. I might not know a lot about cars - but I do LOVE to drive and have from my first experience. My concern about self-deflating the tires myself has to do with the TPMS feature. I was concerned that if I did it myself, I would set off the alarm or something by not being precise. I only have the 'el-cheapo' one (silver thingy that shoots out the plastic gauge - how's THAT for mechanical jargon!). Just being overly cautious I guess. I may go ahead and get a more substantial gauge with a pressure dial and do it myself - since it is apparently no big deal.
However, I'm starting to get paranoid....I now have received TWO 'Awards' from you (one on another forum)...."The Lamest Post" and now "The Strangest Post". You must realize that not everyone on here has such expertise as you.....so please....lighten up a bit. (Not that I can't take it!)
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Yeah....I've got the cheap one. I'll splurge and get a couple with a dial gauge and adjust them. I was just concerned about the TPMS feature....didn't want to set off the alarm. Thanks!
The dial ones are not necessarily more accurate, they go out of calibration too. Probably the best strategy is to use two or more inexpensive pencil style gauges and as long as they have non-binding action and read within 1 lb. you have a reasonably reliable setup without spending a lot of money. Just check them against one another periodically. Throw away any outliers.
Inexpensive digital gauges can be used in the same way (or in combination with pencil style gauges). The dial gauges are very expensive (for a good one) and are susceptible to knocks and drips. A cheap dial gauge is worse than most inexpensive pencil gauges.
Almost forgot - after setting them all to the correct pressure, just turn on the ignition (two pushes of the start button without foot on brake) and hold down the TPMS button for about two seconds (wait to hear the beep). Then you can either start the engine and drive off or turn off the ignition and leave it parked. If you are going to drive off, you can actually start the engine before you hold the TPMS button down.
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This is the tire gauge I bought recently. My Mazda tech has the same one and really likes it and says it's very accurate. It gets great reviews on amazon and even has a thread depth gauge, which I did not have before.
https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)
Any of the Accutire gauges are a good option but I liked this one because it was small enough to also fit inside the disc brakes on my motorcycle rims to read the pressure.
I would go ahead and let out some air in the morning before driving and set all the tires to 34 psi, cold. Then as MikeM said, reset your TPMS by turning the ignition on (two presses of the start button without your foot on the brake) and hold the TPMS button on the left hand side of the dash until you hear the beep.
https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)
Any of the Accutire gauges are a good option but I liked this one because it was small enough to also fit inside the disc brakes on my motorcycle rims to read the pressure.
I would go ahead and let out some air in the morning before driving and set all the tires to 34 psi, cold. Then as MikeM said, reset your TPMS by turning the ignition on (two presses of the start button without your foot on the brake) and hold the TPMS button on the left hand side of the dash until you hear the beep.
mazdadude
ZOOOOOOOOOM ZOOOOOOOOOM
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- '16.5 Mazda CX-5 Touring
Yes! Let some air out...check, let some air out, check again, repeat, repeat... Once all are set to the PSI you desire, then RESET the TPMS as described above.
Then enjoy your difference in your ride!
I have been running 36psi myself for just a little more freeway usage, 34psi is very comfortable.
And keep asking questions! (cool)
THANK YOU SO MUCH (2thumbs) MikeM, Ride92 & Mazdadude!! I've learned a lot from you guys! Can't wait to feel the difference....(yippy)
Like Mazdas much?? Wow...what an inventory! My first and only one pre-dates your list. A 1976 Rotary RX-4 Sedan. Loved that car and that Wankel engine was amazing. One time....and only for a few glorious seconds (during my "wild and crazy" years) at 2:00am in the morning, I was driving on I-4 right through the middle of downtown Orlando. I buried the speedometer! I will never forget...after all these years....that engine 'talked' to me. It clearly said...."thank you, this is where I like to be!" It just purred....I could actually feel it level out at that speed - what a rush! Thanks again for your input.
mazdadude
ZOOOOOOOOOM ZOOOOOOOOOM
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- '16.5 Mazda CX-5 Touring
The 13b Rotary in that RX-4! (naughty)
Good memories!
Please let us know how the new air pressure feels.
Please let us know how the new air pressure feels.
Brought them down patiently to 34psi. Sure smoothed out those aggravating road ridges and imperfections. A much better ride - Woo Hoo! THANKS!
mazdadude
ZOOOOOOOOOM ZOOOOOOOOOM
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- '16.5 Mazda CX-5 Touring
Very good to hear. (usa)
You might notice a very slight decrease in your fuel MPG.
On my 2 CX-5's with the stock 17" tires, I have enjoyed 36 psi as the best compromise between traction, comfort and mpg.
There are some here who like to run even higher than 38 PSI in the tires for better fuel MPG, however when using factory equipped tires, I personally like to stay within a 10% difference of the vehicles recommended PSI.
Being scientifically minded, I would LOVE to see an instrumented testing authority take 3 different new vehicles (Nissan Versa, Chevy Corvette, and a Ford F-150) and test the vehicles attributes (road noise, MPG, braking, acceleration, skid pad, slalom, etc.) with the tires inflated to various levels from -15 psi to +15 psi from factory recommendations.
(drive2)
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- 2015 CX-5 Touring 2.5L FWD
I usually run 38 in the rear tires and 40 in the front anyways. Get a little less roll on corners and overall better tire wear. Probably helps a little with the mileage as well.
oconnell84
Member
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- Mazda CX 5 GT 2015
My 2015 CX-5 GT tires recommend 51 max psi. No where does it state 34 psi.
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Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Door frame sticker on my '15 with OEM 19's is 36 psi but I keep them at 38 psi. Sorry...upside down....
