'03-'04 Forester survey: what air pressure do you run in your tires?

[H. Whelply]

The book on my '04 says 29 psi front, 28 psi rear. Seems weird. Dealer says
they routinely put in 33 front and back. To strike a compromise, I'm
currently at 31.5 for both. What do you do, and why? Assume regular dry
street use. Thanks. ---HW

 

[Edward Hayes]

I run my Forester at 34 front & 30 rear when 2 people aboard. Full load I
raise rear to 36 per manual. I find(after 2 sets of tires) that I get my
best compromise for comfort and tire life. I always set tires over night
cold with a digital gage.

 

[Richard Chang]

The book on my '04 says 29 psi front, 28 psi rear. Seems weird. Dealer says
they routinely put in 33 front and back. To strike a compromise, I'm
currently at 31.5 for both. What do you do, and why? Assume regular dry
street use. Thanks. ---HW

I find no compelling reason to contradict the manual and the sticker by
the driver's door. But, just to make it easier to remember, I set the
tires to 29 psi all 'round.

-R.

 

[GTT]

Don't have any data to support this, but I've just left front and rear at 33
psi. Not that I believe the dealer has any supernatural knowledge, I've
just ended up there, at this point.
04 Forester XS

 

[Geoffrey]

I used to have around 28-29psi in the tyres in my 2001 Forester, as the
manual instructed.. However each time I snet the car to the dealer for a
service the mechanics would put the pressure up to 34/35psi. I suppose there
must be a reason for that. I have never asked the dealer though.

Geoffrey

 

[Orienteer]

Don't have any data to support this, but I've just left front and rear at 33
psi. Not that I believe the dealer has any supernatural knowledge, I've
just ended up there, at this point.
04 Forester XS

The recommended pressures are 'comfort oriented', the minimum which won't
cause heat build-up and tyre failure. Using higher pressures will reduce
rolling resistance and improve cornering (up to a point). Personally I run
with 31psi all round for two-up, but UK roads are not smooth enough to go
higher without causing discomfort.

 

[Xtranet]

The book on my '04 says 29 psi front, 28 psi rear. Seems weird. Dealer says
they routinely put in 33 front and back. To strike a compromise, I'm
currently at 31.5 for both. What do you do, and why? Assume regular dry
street use. Thanks. ---HW

IMHO, it really depends on the tires. Of course, I like to set mine to
5-6psi below the max (cold). Since I also have an '04, and the G900's, the
max psi is 44.

My other tires, on other vehicles, have a max of 35psi. You should adjust
them for a compromise of spec, vehicle load, comfort, and mileage. 35psi
for the G900's seems to be a good compromise, imo of course.