Tyre Pressure again. sorry

[AndAndDen]

I have 205/70R15 tyres back and front on my Bongo.Am i right by saying the tyre pressure should be 30psi?Cheers. Andy

[Ian]

Fair enough. But I'm still not giving the answer (clue: it might be found here: http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/faqs.htm)

[Vanmanerik]

Its not a secret.

32 front, 34 rear

Happy New Year to all my readers.

[AndAndDen]

thanks all happy new year to you all cheer cheers cheers.

[bigdaddycain]

I used to run those pressures when i had fifteens but the tyres looked very spongey and i,d often get people pointing out that my tyres were "soft" i ended up running 36p.s.i front and rear, because i was bothered about the temperature the wheels and tyres were running after a long quickish run. 36psi brought the temps down nicely,grip wasn,t noticeably affected,and it din,t seem to bumpy either. I now run tyre size 245/45/18s and i inflate these to 38 p.s.i front and rear. Check tyre pressures when cold,hot tyres( i.e. hot air inside tyres) affect the pressures,possibly causing the tyres to be under inflated when cold.

[Vanmanerik]

Oh well you can't beat a bit of DIY for whatever reason but I think I will stick to the Mazda recommended tyre sizes and pressures, I am sure they had a whole team of engineers and backroom staff testing and deciding the correct tyre sizes and pressures for safety, grip, and wear and tear so it would be a waste just to ignore them.

If you have ever seen a policeman at the scene of an accident trying to find out what the cause was he will always check the tyre pressures, wear and tear and sizes, no doubt to check them up against the official recommendations.

Insureres are also becoming more aware of any 'modifications' made and not declared. Don't you think a different tyre size and pressures is a 'modification'? How would you feel if you had an accident and your insurers declared you uninsured because you had made modifications to the running gear of your vehicle? Go and read the small print in your insurance docs. if you don't believe me.

Better safe than sorry.

[mikeonb4c]

The problem is - it seems to me - how do you establish what the correct pressures are for e.g. 18" wheels on a Bongo. Unless there is published data, you might at least have some defence if you can demonstrate you had done your best to take advice from expert sources. I wonder if Bongo Forum would carry any weight?

[Vanmanerik]

Have Mazda ever supplied Bongoes with non standard steel wheels? I know you can see Bongoes with 15 inch alloys so I assume tyre sizes and pressures are as standard, once you deviate from this I dont know where you go for info.

[Veg_Ian]

I think you will find that alloy wheels are regarded as a modification by insurers but if you declared them they probably wouldn't be bothered (unless you make a claim maybe?)

[bigdaddycain]

Hi vanmanerik,
The recommended tyre pressures stated by mazda will be on the original tyres that they left the factory with,seeing as they left the factory in japan, on japanese tyres that are non compliant with EU rulings, i would suggest that the recommended pressures should only be used as a guide at best. My aftermarket alloys that i had previously on my bongo was fitted with maxxis tyres, a budget brand i think, they looked under inflated at 32 front 34 rear, and ran hotter than i would have liked. I upped the pressures to counteract this, and it seemed to work. There was no ill side effects, and she drove better on the higher pressures,with no loss of grip. with regards to my current wheels, 18" rx8's shod with 245/45/18 tyres, i consulted the manager of the tyre fitting outlet who recommended 38 - 40 psi considering the weight of the bongo. She drives well,smooth, with plenty of grip,and i feel is perfectly safe.

[fordavefreda]

funny this subject has cropped up, i have a 4wd freda with 195/ 70/15's all round i'm sure i've seen some where on here that the fronts and rears should be different in size is this right?

i can check the the tyre pressures once i convert from metric to english as the plate inside the drivers door states.

at the moment theres 30 p.s.i all round they do look quite soft...

[mikeonb4c]

I don't think the insurance companies should be allowed to use the small print here to duck out their obligations. Provided tyres are sensibly inflated (+ or - a bit of the ideal), I cant see them making a major contribution to an accident. I'll bet, if you surveyed vehicles out there , there are loads running around with + or - a bit on the recommended pressure. At this rate, all our insurances will be invalidated by something or other. Mind you, this is the age of the speed camera, which is 'there for our safety and not for profit'. Yea right. George Orwell must be laughing in his grave.

[pippin]

Don't forget that manufacturers' instruction manuals are full of information about different pressures for different loading states.

That makes for a lot of leeway if an insurer queries something

"sorry, guv, we was travellin' light" = too low pressure

"but we was loaded to the gunnels" = too much pressure