Thread: Tire pressure & fuel economy

There's more to it than "more pressure = less fuel burned" (unfortunately).

Lower pressure allows more contact with the ground (air down for sand etc) but places more load on the steering components and the engine to drive the thing forwards - also increases tyre wear towards the edges of the tyres. Higher pressure increases wear on the center of the tyre, and increases wear on suspension components, ball joints, wheel bearings and diffs and axle components. Running at higher weights needs more pressure, as does towing to stiffen the carcass of the tyre but can lead to worse handling in wet conditions (breaking free).

The trick is finding the trade off 'sweet spot' where you get the best run out of the tyres vs wear handling and fuel economy - and when you work out where that is check every week or two to keep them there. For standard utes on HT's and AT's - I would start in the 34-36 range and try up or down until you find where you and the ute likes it, and when you find that spot it's amazing how you can tell as soon as your tyres drop a psi or two in ride comfort and road handling.