Should I lower the PSI during the Winter? - Toyota Yaris Forums

paulyd0021 · 12-10-2009, 01:56 AM

So I was going to buy some winter tires, but because I cant really afford good ones right now I'm thinking I might hold off, plus I just realized that I would have to pay for mounting and dismounting twice a year which will add up in the long run if i continue to use winter tires. I live in MI.

So my question is if I should lower the PSI in my tires to get better traction?

The car states that the these specific tires (185/60/15) should be at 32 PSI. The max PSI on the tires say 44 PSI. I run them usually around 38 in the front and 37 in the back to get a better MPG. So should I lower them back down to 32 PSI? Or even lower than that? Or is 37 still ok?

I dont feel like I have much control when driving over snow.

Also any other tips? I'm going to try putting a lot of salt bags in my back seat instead of my trunk area since its a FWD. I hear putting it in the very back wont be as good because the front needs more weight. Anyways thanks for any suggestions.

1NZYaris1 · 12-10-2009, 03:48 AM

no lowering your PSI from 32 , would make your car handle worse ,
try going up to 36-38 PSI and feel the differrance

WeeYari · 12-10-2009, 09:04 AM

What is currently on your car for rubber? Are you still on factory originals? If so, as far as winter is concerned, they are shot. Dropping PSI on factory rubber is not going to help one bit. Given your location, you would be best to just suck it up and invest in some winters. Go for what you can afford. Anything snow rated is going to be better than what you currently have. Craigslist may be your friend, but I suspect pickings have probably gotten very slim over the past week.

paulyd0021 · 12-10-2009, 05:48 PM

Well I'm not sure if the tires are originals, but I suspect they might not be because the tread is still pretty deep. I tried the old coin trick with a penny and quarter to measure them. I've only had the car since July and I bought it used. Its a 2007 hatchback. The tires that are on it right now are Kelly Navigator Golds 185/60/15. Is there a specific tire that all Yaris's start out with originally?

Yaris Hilton · 12-10-2009, 06:02 PM

Goodyear Eagle LS is what usually comes on U.S. Yarises with 15" wheels.

Hemidan · 12-10-2009, 06:49 PM

we have the 08 yaris with factory tires and dont have any problems.
I think you just have to get used to it.My wife drives it daily,50 miles round trip to work and does fine(highway and city).Yes they are light and low to the ground,but I'm impressed how well it does in the snow(Michigan)

I do run 33(ish) pounds in the tires.I'n not sure what brand the stk. tires are,I will look when she gets home

Just take it slow and easy until you get comfortabe with it...

12-10-2009, 01:56 AM	#1
paulyd0021 Drives: 2007 Blue Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 11	Should I lower the PSI during the Winter? So I was going to buy some winter tires, but because I cant really afford good ones right now I'm thinking I might hold off, plus I just realized that I would have to pay for mounting and dismounting twice a year which will add up in the long run if i continue to use winter tires. I live in MI. So my question is if I should lower the PSI in my tires to get better traction? The car states that the these specific tires (185/60/15) should be at 32 PSI. The max PSI on the tires say 44 PSI. I run them usually around 38 in the front and 37 in the back to get a better MPG. So should I lower them back down to 32 PSI? Or even lower than that? Or is 37 still ok? I dont feel like I have much control when driving over snow. Also any other tips? I'm going to try putting a lot of salt bags in my back seat instead of my trunk area since its a FWD. I hear putting it in the very back wont be as good because the front needs more weight. Anyways thanks for any suggestions.

12-10-2009, 03:48 AM	#2
1NZYaris1 View User's Garage Drives: Yaris Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,566	no lowering your PSI from 32 , would make your car handle worse , try going up to 36-38 PSI and feel the differrance __________________ http://www.microimageonline.com/forums/index.php

12-10-2009, 09:04 AM	#3
WeeYari View User's Garage Drives: 06 Polar White 5dr, 13 Soul 4u Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Georgetown, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,740	What is currently on your car for rubber? Are you still on factory originals? If so, as far as winter is concerned, they are shot. Dropping PSI on factory rubber is not going to help one bit. Given your location, you would be best to just suck it up and invest in some winters. Go for what you can afford. Anything snow rated is going to be better than what you currently have. Craigslist may be your friend, but I suspect pickings have probably gotten very slim over the past week. __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Should I lower the PSI during the Winter?	paulyd0021	Wheels, Tires and Suspension Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack	6	12-10-2009 10:12 PM
Selling winter tires and low profile floor jack with 2 stands	voodoo22	Canada	10	11-16-2009 09:12 PM
Do you get about 4 MPG less during winter ?	paraganek	Fuel Economy Forum	24	05-18-2009 09:52 AM
Winter tire width	Ironphil	Wheels, Tires and Suspension Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack	6	04-21-2009 01:47 AM
Official "CASTREX" WINTER THREAD	CASTREX	Off-topic / Other Cars / Everything else Discussions	13	10-24-2008 08:19 AM

12-10-2009, 05:48 PM	#4
paulyd0021 Drives: 2007 Blue Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 11	Well I'm not sure if the tires are originals, but I suspect they might not be because the tread is still pretty deep. I tried the old coin trick with a penny and quarter to measure them. I've only had the car since July and I bought it used. Its a 2007 hatchback. The tires that are on it right now are Kelly Navigator Golds 185/60/15. Is there a specific tire that all Yaris's start out with originally?

12-10-2009, 06:02 PM	#5
Yaris Hilton Half a Bubble Off Plumb Drives: 2009 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol, Tennessee, USA Posts: 1,593	Goodyear Eagle LS is what usually comes on U.S. Yarises with 15" wheels.

12-10-2009, 06:49 PM	#6
Hemidan Drives: 08 Yaris Hatchback Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Macomb,Michigan Posts: 15	we have the 08 yaris with factory tires and dont have any problems. I think you just have to get used to it.My wife drives it daily,50 miles round trip to work and does fine(highway and city).Yes they are light and low to the ground,but I'm impressed how well it does in the snow(Michigan) I do run 33(ish) pounds in the tires.I'n not sure what brand the stk. tires are,I will look when she gets home Just take it slow and easy until you get comfortabe with it...