Inflation Advice Michelin Cross Terrains

[t2188na]

Hello,
I'm confused about what to inflate my Michelin Cross Terrains.

Dealer says go with Honda recommended but my 2003 of course did not come with these tires.

Question: Summer Vacation highway driving PSI?

City Driving PSI?

Thanks
NJA, Michigan

[humanoid]

It doesn't matter the brand, just follow what it says in the manual or the driver's side door jam.

[rockman19762001]

Door jam says 30 or 32 psi, I did not like the soft ride, or more accurately my wife did not like the ride and handling. I have run 35 psi in the Cross Terrains, no problems with un-even wear, and I like the slightly firmer ride. I also switched to Nitrogen, which gave about 1.5 mile per gallon increase on average mile per gallon on the highway. I track my mileage on www.GasBuddy.com for all my personal vehicles. I hope this is helpful.

[A6Pilot]

Originally posted by rockman19762001 I also switched to Nitrogen, which gave about 1.5 mile per gallon increase on average mile per gallon on the highway. [/B]

There are a lot of us who are curious about this statement. So you're saying that using nitrogen will increase mileage about 8-10% or so? How do you suppose that works?

Too bad the engineers at Honda, or GM, etc., haven't figured that one out. In a world where the average power train engineer would sell his first born for a .5 mpg increase, why were these guys so dense to have missed something as simple as inflating tires with nitrogen? On the other hand, they sure blew it by not installing the Turbonator.

Tell us more.......

[t2188na]

Yes,
The information was helpful.

Best regards,
NJA

[youbetcha]

Originally posted by rockman19762001
I also switched to Nitrogen, which gave about 1.5 mile per gallon increase on average mile per gallon on the highway.

I use a special 80% Nitrogen mix. It is called "outside air"

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by youbetcha


I use a special 80% Nitrogen mix. It is called "outside air"

What, you don't buy your "reference air"?

P.S. Mileage increases from Nitrogen are pure BS.
Mileage increases from increased inflation (or proper inflation, if they were under-inflated) are real.

The safe range is to use the factory recommendation as the minimum, and the tire side wall rating as the maximum.
Anywhere in between is fine, the higher the better except for ride comfort.
It is best to assume your (and others) gauges are off by up to 2 PSI, so anywhere from 2 PSI above the door sticker to 2 PSI below the sidewall.

Have fun.

[rockman19762001]

Nitrogen pressure is more consistent than normal air pressure, because air typically contains varying amounts of moisture due to changes in the relative humidity during a given day. Water causes air to be inconsistent in its rate of expansion and contraction. Allowing the tire to run slightly cooler than a tire filled with air, and more consistent expansion and contraction when the tire cools. Other than that I have no other idea for going with nitrogen. But, after the local Ford Dealerships quick change locale switched out the air for nitrogen for free, I thought who cares.

Then on the twice a month trip to Dallas , I saw my average miles per gallon go from around 22 to just slightly below 24 miles per gallon, always driving on cruise at 75mph. Other than the mileage on the engine, which means that the Honda Pilot 03 engine was finally broken in at 100,000 miles. I have been using the same oil Ford's 5/20 at each oil change, the only other change I had made to the Pilot was going with the nitrogen in the tires. So suck on it.

[A6Pilot]

Originally posted by rockman19762001
the only other change I had made to the Pilot was going with the nitrogen in the tires. So suck on it.

P T Barnum, are to listening?

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by rockman19762001
. . . the only other change I had made to the Pilot was going with the nitrogen in the tires. So suck on it.

Since you went to Nitrogen and the dealer filled the tires, are you sure that the pressures are the same?

I danced yesterday and it rained.
I did not do anything else differently.

I won't bother asking how many tanks is the drive to Dallas?
or, what has been the range of MPG readings on previous trips?
etc, etc. etc.

[youbetcha]

Originally posted by rockman19762001
So suck on it.

Was this really necessary?

Your posting footer reads "The greatest strength is gentleness."

[xGS]

Originally posted by N_Jay


The safe range is to use the factory recommendation as the minimum, and the tire side wall rating as the maximum.

Anywhere in between is fine, the higher the better except for ride comfort.

What you imply is that ride comfort is the only performance aspect impacted negatively by higher inflation pressure.

Really?

No negative effect on traction or tire wear?
No possibility of increased damage from pothole impacts?

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by xGS
What you imply is that ride comfort is the only performance aspect impacted negatively by higher inflation pressure.

In general, Yes

Originally posted by xGS
Really?

Yes, Really.

Originally posted by xGS
No negative effect on traction or tire wear?

Not with radial tires of normal widths.

You may find the center wearing slightly ahead of the edges, but as it has been explained to me, the center is wearing no faster than at lower pressures since tire ware is decreased overall with higher pressure.
Less flex, less squirm, less wear.

Originally posted by xGS
No possibility of increased damage from pothole impacts?

Its a trade off.
Impact damage can occur when the tire is either subjected to a sharp impact , or pinched against the rim.

Point pressures go up, but the chance of pinching goes down.

I doubt anyone has figured out which is more likely at what pressures for what type of driving.

I have had only one pothole caused flat in my life, and it included rim damage and a cut sidewall so I think I may have lost that tires no matter what.

[youbetcha]

If you inflate it to sidewall pressure would you have to make sure that it is below that pressure under all conditions?

For example, is the max sidewall pressure a "cold" tire pressure, like the doorjamb pressure?

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by youbetcha
If you inflate it to sidewall pressure would you have to make sure that it is below that pressure under all conditions?

For example, is the max sidewall pressure a "cold" tire pressure, like the doorjamb pressure?

The sidewall pressure IS a cold measurement and does not need to be adjusted.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...p#maxinflation