I have just bought an X-Type Estate (2008 )running on 18" Proteus Alloys and 225/40/R18. As we intend to use this for towing, what tyre pressures should I use?

The sticker on the driver's dashboard gives only a couple of PSI increase per tyre for high speed or full load. On my old Mondeo, the rears were +9 and the fronts were +3 for high load, which worked well for towing.

What PSI do others use when towing.

Thanks

Dave

 

volvic, I think the bigger question is how close to your max ratings are you hitting? I would be looking at the ratings of your current tires and then judge the tire pressures off of that. If you have tires that are rated for say 2000 pounds (max load) each, you can assume that your car is going to have roughly 1000 pounds of car weight on each tire. Then you add in the driver, some other assundries and the trailer there, if the tires are not seeing say 1500 pounds, you should have the tires up near the max pressure allowed on the tires (if the max allowed pressure is say 44 psi, then you should have around 41 psi in them). The closer you get to the max weight allowed, the closer you should be to the max tire pressure allowed. Granted, for simplicity, may be advisable that if you are pushing the car to near its limits, then set the tires to max allowed and call it good. That will be close enough.

 

Many thanks Thermo, I never thought of approaching the problem like that. I will check the max rating on the tyres and work from there. Best Volvic

 

Hi Volvic. I have an estate but its on 225/45/17. the book figure for normal is 30/30 and for high speed / loaded 32/32 but I run mine when towing at 35/35 and it has been fine and that is with a caravan just under max towing weight and at max recommended nose weight for the Jag. At first we found the jag sat down rather a lot at the rear when the caravan was attached so I fitted some spring assister's in the rear coil springs and that has helped a lot.

 

Hi Jagandfordnut

Thanks for this information. I will see how I go in a few months once the towbar is fitted and we have better weather to try things out. Interesting about the spring assisters, will keep an eye on how it looks once hitched up. Probably just go local for first outing, just in case.

BW

Volvic