Does anyone have experience with running at the "light load" pressures will give better responsiveness, rather than the door panel recommended 43 psi in front, 48 rear.
TheOEM Contiprocontact were at the higher pressures (43/48) and felt fine. But I am worried this might be too high for my my replacements; although they are matching XL load rated as well.
I now have Sumitomo UHP Summer tires sized 225/45/18 xl, front, 245/40/18 in rear. Not sure if the tires haven't broken in after since it only has 50 miles, but the steering input feels less responsive and mushy in the 40+ psi.
Anyone know if dropping to "light load" specs at mid 30 psi would be better or worse?
Thanks!

 

You can always try it. While the 43/47psi felt OK to me, the ProContact tires say ‘max inflation pressure 51psi’. Easy to exceed that for warm tires on hot days, though warm pressure isn’t the same as inflation pressure.

I’ve dropped down to 40/44 with no adverse effects. Well within the TPMS margin, and feels fine to me.

I have also wondered about those seemingly extreme pressures, as I expect to get better tires when the OEMs wear out.

 

For normal one or two people in the car, use Light. Jaguar labeled them wrong. Light should be Normal and Normal should be Maximum load. Normal only drives fine when the car is loaded down. Driving with just one-three people with 40+ psi is a joke. Drives like crap.

No car should have tire pressure in the 40's for regular driving. The car is more supple over bumps and handles better with around 37 all around (been a little since I owned the XE for the exact number).

 

I switched my 2017 XE 3.5T R-Sport over to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ about a year ago after the Pirelli's were done. I like the way the car handles on them but it's better on the Light Load pressures. In the Normal Load pressures it felt like the rear would skip sideways a little on mid-corner bumps.

 

Exactly! Normal mode drives like c**p!