I was noticing a slight vibrating in my ride, so I stopped and checked the air pressure in the tires. I found that the recommended tire pressure for the car is 42 psi??? Does this sound right to everyone? I thought it was a little high. I was about 15psi low in three of the tires. I filled them up and now the car is back to it's smooth ride.

I have a 2001 A6 4.2L Quattro. It has all available options and packages which includes the lower profile tires. Any assistance would be great.

Thanks!

you coulda been scraping rim, but 15 psi doesnt seem low enough to scrape rim, i keep mine up around 45 or 50, keeps the understeer down...

I put almost 25 PSI in one of the rear tires, so that was pretty close to flat. The car is running awesome now but not sure about putting over 42psi in them? I'm kind of scared to over inflate. Thanks for the reply!

in one of the door jambs is the tire pressure recomendations

That's where I was a little confused because there is a 42 psi and then there is a very large print 46psi? I've never seen it like that, so I just stuck with the 42psi.

there are a couple of different pressures depending on the load in the car
at least that is what the lable in my wagon shows

I run mine at 34 PSI.. Not stock, thats what my tire guy says to run. I know Mr Lube recommends 40 PSI. Tire pressure varies with temp to. I think they say it varies about 2 lbs from cold to hot.

I put 42psi in the back and 40 in the front and it is running pretty darn smooth. I think I'll keep them at that and see how it goes. Thanks everyone.

FYI - Watch for center tread wear (center tread wore more than outside of tread) Thats a sign of tire pressure too high.

ok ok ok... 42 is too high by about 6. where did you see 42psi recommended? if you read it on the tire sidewall, that's a max pressure for max load, not the recommended pressure for comfort, performance, safety and treadwear.

Bringing back a four year old thread involving a discussion of tire pressure by two members who have not even logged on to the forum in over a year?

The best tire pressure for handling will be different from car to car, tire to tire and many other conditions (like load). I have seen video clips of one of the best ways to find your pressure. (You'll have to a search on it... I am at work right now) Basicly you mark your tread and sidewall with white shoe polish, chalk or something like that. You do some hard cornering... like figure 8's in a parking lot. You adjust your tire pressure to where you wear off your markings on the tread but NOT the sidewall. (This will take a bit of trial and error.) The pressure you come up with will be the best for traction as you are using the whole tread. The best pressure for gas milage will most likely be a little higher.

Unless you are very anal about checking your tire pressure, I would put in a few pounds more than the "best" pressure to allow for a little leakage.

See this link -- It is not the video but it is the procedure:
http://www.team-integra.net/sections/articles/showArticle.asp?ArticleID=398

Audi suggests you use original sized tires (maybe because they were tested at high speeds and cornering at Nürburgring) and always put the front and rear pressure (driver door frame) those sized tires should be at when the tire is Cold..once you change tire or wheel size then need to use the markings on the tire according to load.

Well, I'll answer up, even though it an old thread :)

I keep my tires at 38psi. The sticker on mine (in the gas door) says 36psi with 1-2 people, and 42psi for 3-4 people and some load. The tires (Michelin Exaltos) are Load Range 'C' and 44psi max rated.

These cars are heavy and I absolutely believe that the recommended pressures are higher than the 'econobox' normal 32psi.

Old thread but still relevant :) my 06 says 38 front 42 rear on the door frame with original sized tires 2 pass front and three rear. They ride nice but firm.

as the weather temperature is high the pressure of the car should be low.

Always check tire pressure when the tire is cold. The rear right doorjamb should show a pressure table. Mine states 35 lbs for 17" oem wheels with normal loads; 41/46 when fully loaded. I generally run 36 lbs because I do mostly highway driving. Result: second set of Pirelli P6 Fourseasons were just replaced after 50k miles (rated for 40k). Correct pressure and rotation every 5-6k pays off in long tread life.