I have a 2000 E430. It has Continental 235/45 ZR17 tires. Max rated pressure is 44 psi. However, the label within the gas door specifies 32 psi front and 33 psi rear. The owners manual says to obey the specs regardless of what is written on the tire but when I put in 32 psi the tire looks very low. Even my mechanic immediatly noticed it as low.

Which is correct? I don't want to run the tire low and accelerate wear or damage the tires.

Thanks, Matt

 

Go with what the car says.

 

Those aren't the stock tires. The tire pressure label applies to the factory installed tires.

That size and type of tire looks a little low normally. You can try adding a couple of pounds and watching tread wear, though. I wouldn't add more than 3 PSI total. Adjust again based on tread wear.

 

I would go with what the tire says. I would reduce the pressure slightly (5 psi or so) if the road conditions warranted a softer tire such as ice.

 

If you're saying run at 44 PSI, that's too high for normal everyday driving. That's the max rated PSI. Mid to low 30s somewhere should be about right.

 

zr17 has a higher speed rating.

over inflation can cause wearing out from middle portion of the tire first.

it may look low at 32psi but it's comfortale and no known problem.