[Vwdiesel] Tire pressure (fwd)

[Val Christian]

> The maximum tire pressure on the tire is not what you want to run. It is 
> the maximum pressure the tire can safely stand. The pressure you should run is 
> posted somewhere on the car. 

By all means follow good safety practice.  On my 1.5 Rabbits, I ran,
almost exclusively, Mich. ZX and XZX model rubber, and got about 40Ksm
to 50ksm per tire.  Hard to say exactly, because I "averaged" mileage
on tires.  Once I have a tire running on a given spot on the car, I 
tend to keep it there.  No rotations.  It worked for me, but might not
for you.   I ran well over a million miles on Rabbits with these
tires.

Regarding inflation...I simply never run the "recommended" inflation 
points.  On the 1.5NA Rabbits, 32 PSI rear, 36 PSI front.  The fronts
tended to be 1/32 to 1/16 more worn in the center at the end of the tire
life.  On those cars, I consistently got 45+ mpg, with 52, not 
uncommon on longer hauls.  Since around town is country driving for 
others, I won't even try to guess the difference between city and highway.
Also, the Rabbits didn't have PS, PB, AC and other weight/power affecting
features.

On my 91 NA Jetta, I run about the same tire pressures, except when traveling
with kids in the back, I pump the rears to about 34 or 35 PSI.  Similar
mileage, but heavier car.  Doesn't do lots of start and stop.  When it 
does, it's ususally because I'm teaching someone how to standard shift,
or something like that.

Just did a 1100sm trip with my daughter in the 2003 TDI Jetta.  She drove,
I drove, and some legs were at 85-90 MPH for an hour or two at a time.
Ican't tell you the exact fuel stats, yet, but it looks like we used
about 1 5/8 of a tank.  It also seems that there's a tire out of balance, 
so I'll be pulling them for a spin balance.  The factory tires didn't last
40K, but I have harder rubber on them now.   in a week, I can make better 
comments, but my experience base with this car is very limited.

Oh, in the snowy time of the year, driving in snow every day, I lower the 
pressure, to a point pretty close to the mfg recommended placcarded level,
which is something like 30 / 28.  It helps drivability.

I don't know if this really helps anyone.  I do have a (recurring) 03
alignment and driveability questions, but I'll post separately.

Blue skies,

Val