I've been maintaining the unusual tire pressures GM recommends (29 front and
26 rear) with regular rotations (every 5k mi) and I got 50k mi out of the
Firestone Affinity's. I just replaced them with Goodyear TripleTred tires
that I like a lot. My question is has anyone had experience or tried using
the typical 34 psi that my tire shop wants to put in every car tire.

I learned from Discount Tire that most Firestone Affinity tires wear thin in
the center first, like mine did, even with the 29/26 psi pressures. They
were suggesting that 34 psi might be better with my new tires.

On a related topic, our fuel mileage has only been 25 mpg on long freeway
trips, never have we got the 30 mpg I've heard others brag about. Maybe the
29/26 psi tire pressure contributes to our mediocre mileage.

Thank you for any shared experience about tire pressures on Malibu's.
- Duane

I always run the tires at 30 psi all around.

"Duane" <NoSpam (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

I've been maintaining the unusual tire pressures GM recommends (29 front and
26 rear) with regular rotations (every 5k mi) and I got 50k mi out of the
Firestone Affinity's. I just replaced them with Goodyear TripleTred tires
that I like a lot. My question is has anyone had experience or tried using
the typical 34 psi that my tire shop wants to put in every car tire.

I learned from Discount Tire that most Firestone Affinity tires wear thin in
the center first, like mine did, even with the 29/26 psi pressures. They
were suggesting that 34 psi might be better with my new tires.

On a related topic, our fuel mileage has only been 25 mpg on long freeway
trips, never have we got the 30 mpg I've heard others brag about. Maybe the
29/26 psi tire pressure contributes to our mediocre mileage.

Thank you for any shared experience about tire pressures on Malibu's.
- Duane

"Duane" <NoSpam (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

I fill my tires to 40 PSI, also, I've noticed I get about 24 MPG on the
freeway driving 70 when I slow down to 65, I get 28 MPG and when I do 55
I've gotten around 30, also I made a switch from Regular Unleaded (89 Octane
I think) to Premium (92) and have gotten about a 40 mile increase in the
overall tank, I reset my trip meter everytime I fill up and with 89 octane
was getting about 315 to 320 Miles, with the premium fuel I'm getting about
350-360 Miles to the tank, plus it is usually better for you motor as far as
keeping deposits from forming as fast.

"Duane" <NoSpam (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

I've always maintained the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
and I've gotten as high as 34MPG out of one tank (435 miles on that tank).
Usually though it was about 31ish for road trips. City mileage, however,
sucked (lucky to get 18MPG)

Thank you all for your feedback. I've also done more asking around and my
conclusion is to stick with the tire pressures that GM recommends on the
door. Many vehicles now recommend something other than 34 psi, and their
recommendations are based upon the specifics of that vehicle.

Take care and drive responseably.
- Duane

"Duane" <NoSpam (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

I'd go with the tire pressure on the tires myself, but you can do waht you
feel is right ;p

"Daniel G." <Danny73 (AT) columbus (DOT) rr.com> wrote

The tirewall pressure is generally a maximum recommended, and is specific to
the tire, regardless of the car it's on. Go with the door sticker and/or
owner's manual advice as long as it doesn't exceed the tirewall number (in
which case you have the WRONG tires!)

"Daniel G." <Danny73 (AT) columbus (DOT) rr.com> wrote

Do that and your suspension components will wear out quicker (excessive tire
bounce, etc.) Also wet traction can be adversely impacted.

"Chris Moore" <paynoattentionto (AT) themanbehindthe (DOT) curtain> wrote

I understand this and fill my tires to 38 or 40 the maximum on the tire is
44, so i don't fill up to the max or exceed it ;p

Duane wrote:
Very sage advice.

The car manufacturers work closely with the tire manufacturers in
determining the optimum tire pressure for each vehicle (and variant)
they make. Sometimes they make mistakes as with the explorer/firestone
problems of yesteryear, but they are more likely to get it right as
experienced engineers than you or I are second guessing their vehicle
and tire designs/characteristics.

JP

--
JP White
mailto:jpwhite3 (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net