REC Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 (edited) The recommended tire pressure for the C-Max is 38 psi. Does anyone slightly over-inflate the tire pressure (to, say, 40 psi) to try to increase their mileage? If so, how has that worked for you? REC Edited October 15, 2012 by REC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfruth Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 I don't have a C-Max, is a max pressure on the side of the tire ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REC Posted October 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 You can find the recommended tire pressure for most cars in the door sill of the driver side door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinto Posted October 17, 2012 Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 I tend to increase the tire pressure past the recommended by .5 to 1 lb over. I mostly do this for a slight cushion between being low and right on the mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfruth Posted October 17, 2012 Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 My Fusion calls for 34 PSI (cold) in the stock Michelin XSE P225 50R17's. ((still in use)) I use 38 for several reasons, better MPGs, easier to adjust the pressure if need be, don't have to add air as often & better handling - no abnormal wear - If C-Max I'd go up 1 or 2 PSI and see how it goes (how much difference between cold and hot) ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REC Posted October 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Thanks for the comments/suggestions. I'll start to fill slightly over (to 40 psi versus the recommended 38 psi), for all the good reasons given. REC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-MaxJaxon Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 I checked the pressure the evening after picking up the car from the dealer and they had 34 psi with the tires not cold, so they were probably around 32 when cold. I got no warning light on the dash from the monitoring system. After increasing them up to 38, the ride is firmer and less comfortable, but still acceptable. I had the same experience when I bought my previous car. I have to wonder if dealerships deliberately keep tire pressure slightly low so it feels more comfortable during test drives and after initial purchase. sixtyeightmk2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrelld Posted November 4, 2012 Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 The recommended tire pressure for the C-Max is 38 psi. Does anyone slightly over-inflate the tire pressure (to, say, 40 psi) to try to increase their mileage? If so, how has that worked for you? REC One of my tire gauges says the pressure is 38psi another says the pressure is 40psi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNCGeek Posted November 15, 2012 Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 I just had the tire warning light pop up (solid), but the pressure in my tires is around 34psi (though I need to verify with a better gauge). None of the tires appears to be low, but I added a couple pounds for good measure and will get them to 38psi once I have a gauge I can trust. I still have to drive it around to see if it will reset. According to the Vehicle Health Report I ran it says the following (in case somebody else runs into this): Light Stays On: Check the tire pressure to ensure tires are properly inflated. After inflating your tires to the manufacturer's recommended inflation pressure, the vehicle must be driven for at least two minutes over 20 mph (32 km/h) before the light will turn off.Flashes for about one minute then Stays On: The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. rfruth 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfruth Posted December 15, 2012 Report Share Posted December 15, 2012 I've heard the Fusion's light normally comes on when the pressure drops to ~24 PSI in any tire - not sure if C-Max is the same - why did CNC's light come on at ~34, did it reset by itself ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaners Posted December 15, 2012 Report Share Posted December 15, 2012 When I put my snow tires and wheels on I elected to go without the TPMS sensors. It was probably a week before the yellow light came on, and when it finally did we were on a trip. All the other driving was short trips around town, so that is probably why it took so long for the light to activate. I have the Michelin X-Ice 3 tires inflated to 40 psi to help with rolling resistance. I put 16" wheels and tires on and since the sidewall is much taller than the stock tires, I don't notice any difference in ride quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNCGeek Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 (edited) I've heard the Fusion's light normally comes on when the pressure drops to ~24 PSI in any tire - not sure if C-Max is the same - why did CNC's light come on at ~34, did it reset by itself ? I added air and the TPMS light went off as they should after some driving. I am not sure if they were really 34lbs or not (certainly not 24lbs though), could have been lower since the gauge I had at the time was not very accurate. I've since added air twice (not a leak, just seemed to need a bit more), and will be equalizing the air pressure in all 4 tires this weekend with my handy-dandy new Craftsman tire gauge which has a bleeder to get the pressure just right. Gonna set it to 38lbs I think. Edited December 16, 2012 by CNCGeek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgentCMAX Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 I just put 40 psi in all four tires today. Took a fifty mile round trip and it was not bad at all. I can sense a little more firmness in the ride but totally comfortable still. The route included inclines up a small mountain (one steep incline and one medium incline). Got 40+ mpg overall for the trip. Had defrost on occasionally as well. Outside temp was around 42F. I will compare mpg with my commute route next week to see if it impacted mileage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seattlerain Posted December 29, 2012 Report Share Posted December 29, 2012 I bumped mine up to 41 (they were @ 36) last night. My normal trip I typically get 39 there and 32 back and today I got 43.8 there and 40 back. Temps low to mid 40's and no wind / rain today. I'll certainly be keeping an eye on this to see if it keeps improving milage over what I've been getting. I do notice a bit more cabin noise in the vehicle, but I'll take it if I get this type of mileage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plus 3 golfer Posted December 29, 2012 Report Share Posted December 29, 2012 I checked mine a few days ago in morning with garage temp about 58*F and pressure was 40ish. I assume the pressure was set in MI at 38 psi when temps were colder. I bumped them up to 45 psi. I always run tires around 90% of sidewall maximum cold pressure which for the Michelin Energy a/s 94Vs is 51 psi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyC2051 Posted September 27 Report Share Posted September 27 Check tire pressure cold, if you drive it for a bit, they are not cold. I get about 1-2 miles extra on a charge for my 2017 Ford C-Max Energi by increasing tire pressure from 38 to 40PSI. Max cold tire pressure for Standard Michelin tires is 44PSI. Higher Pressure reduces traction and reduces tire life, but increases efficiency. Lower Pressure increases traction and reduces tire life, and reduces effeciency. If you were in ice or snow, your could lower the pressure a bit to get more traction, but except worse mileage. You could put 6 or 8 ply tires on it, and put maybe 60PSI, and get better efficiency, but they are heavier and ride a lot rougher. My gut on this is, use the Ford Recommended Tire Pressure of 38PSI cold. I get 100-200mpg average, I might get a little more, but is it really worth all the effort? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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