Ford Focus Estate Tyre Pressure Question

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Andrew Price - 27 Jul 2005 09:12 GMT

Hi there,

I have just bought a Ford Focus estate circa 2001

I am having a bit of a problem with it, it seems to snake a little when
going round corners.

All 4 tyres are at 31-32 PSI

In the book it recommends

UNLOADED
32 PSI FRONT
32 PSI BACK

LOADED (3 or more people)
32PSI
46PSI (my tyres say max 44PSI)

My car is sometimes used by just me but also with 3+ people and luggage.

I dont really want to go to the Garage to change PSI every time i change
loads.

Can anyone recommend what i should pump the tyres to ?

Has anyone experienced snaking issues in Focus.

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Chris Whelan - 27 Jul 2005 10:11 GMT

> Hi there,
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> loads.

Buy a pump that works from the cigarette lighter?

> Can anyone recommend what i should pump the tyres to ?

The recommended pressures. In the UK it is an offence to drive with
incorrect tyre pressures. This is generally taken as within 10% of the
makers stated pressures. If you have to compromise then it is arguably
better to use the higher pressure when travelling light, rather than the
other way round. This would reduce rear grip however.

> Has anyone experienced snaking issues in Focus.

Not me. I'm not really sure what you mean by "snaking issues". I've had my
Focus 6 years, it sometimes gets driven harder than is entirely sensible
but I have never had the rear let go.

Chris

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Stephen F. - 27 Jul 2005 15:41 GMT

>> LOADED (3 or more people)
>> 32PSI
>> 46PSI (my tyres say max 44PSI)

I also found this kind of odd. The recommended pressure exceeds the
manufacturer's rating (on the OEM Sport Continentals). I tend to err on
the high side (i.e. closer to the loaded rating). Better economy, and no
problems with handling.

>> Has anyone experienced snaking issues in Focus.
>
> Not me. I'm not really sure what you mean by "snaking issues". I've had my
> Focus 6 years, it sometimes gets driven harder than is entirely sensible
> but I have never had the rear let go.

I've noticed the back of the Estate feels a little more "active" than the
normal liftback. I put this down to more weight hanging further off the
back. This tends to set up some oscillations in certain corners. It has
never been more than an odd situation, however, and the Estate sticks to the
road far beyond sensible speeds on the 205/50-16s.

Stephen

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Andrew Price - 27 Jul 2005 16:34 GMT

thanks Steve and Chris,

One thing i forgot to say was that ive just got the car and been used to a
Saxo before this, and the suspension on focus is very different
(independant, saxo is not). I think its just a different drive.

When you say on the higher side would you say 38-40psi or higher for ears

cheers

Andrew

>>> LOADED (3 or more people)
>>> 32PSI
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Stephen

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sid - 28 Jul 2005 09:48 GMT

> The recommended pressures. In the UK it is an offence to drive with
> incorrect tyre pressures. This is generally taken as within 10% of the
> makers stated pressures.

Where do you get your information from?

The MOT test does not go into tyre pressures and I have never ever seen any
legal issues regarding this.

Too soft maybe or at an extreme "too hard" may be a judgement made by the
law but not "within 10%"

There is a 10% issue with regard to speed. Generally accepted by police
forces throughout the UK is the 10% + 2mph for issuing a speed ticket.

That is 79mph on a motorway and you risk prosecution "on the spot £60"
penalty + 3 points"

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Chris Whelan - 28 Jul 2005 12:59 GMT

>> The recommended pressures. In the UK it is an offence to drive with
>> incorrect tyre pressures. This is generally taken as within 10% of the
>> makers stated pressures.
>
> Where do you get your information from?

Here:

s41A(b) Road Traffic Act 1988, Road Vehicles (Construction and Use)
Regulations 1986, reg 27, as amended

> The MOT test does not go into tyre pressures and I have never ever seen
> any legal issues regarding this.

Where do you get *your* information from? :-)

Tyre underinflation is considered as part of the MOT test, although not in
itself a reason for rejection. See here:

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_410.htm

BTW, I never mentioned MOT testing in my reply to the OP.

> Too soft maybe or at an extreme "too hard" may be a judgement made by the
> law but not "within 10%"

My value of +/- 10% was obtained from a friendly police traffic patrol
driver. Although not established in law, he tells me it is the generally
accepted level outside of which you may be prosecuted.

<snip OT speeding information>

HTH

Chris

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sid - 30 Jul 2005 12:51 GMT

>s41A(b) Road Traffic Act 1988, Road Vehicles (Construction and Use)
>Regulations 1986, reg 27, as amended

It would be of interest what the reg actually states. Is there a web site
with these details?

> The MOT test does not go into tyre pressures and I have never ever seen
> > any legal issues regarding this.
>
> Where do you get *your* information from? :-)

I get my information from the mot manual. It does not test for correct PSI
The MOT test does concern itself with vehicle regs and tyres are a vital
part of the MOT test.

> http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_410.htm
>
> BTW, I never mentioned MOT testing in my reply to the OP.

Yes - I accept that you did not mention, when questioned, something that you
may etc. :-)

> My value of +/- 10% was obtained from a friendly police traffic patrol
> driver. Although not established in law, he tells me it is the generally
> accepted level outside of which you may be prosecuted.

Hmm - how does he establish tyre pressure requirements. I have an estate
car and the pressure requirements for a full or heavy load differ at the
rear by 6PSI.(err - thats more than 10% of the normal recommended pressure)
Does he carry a list of vehicles tyre pressures? Does he weigh the vehicle
to establish what load is carried and at what axle? How does he calibrate
his tyre pressure device?

All sorts of problems in law with what he states. Maybe the vehicle reg
stated by you gives a full breakdown?

Don't doubt that they can push something like that, and check all the points
mentioned, but I "guess" that it would be part of a list of faults that
directly resulted in a bad car accident and they wanted to ensure that a
proper conviction was obtained.

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Chris Whelan - 30 Jul 2005 14:23 GMT

>>s41A(b) Road Traffic Act 1988, Road Vehicles (Construction and Use)
>>Regulations 1986, reg 27, as amended
>
> It would be of interest what the reg actually states. Is there a web site
> with these details?

Probably. Google is your friend...

Incidentally, on conviction the penalty is the same as for other tyre
defects. (Fine up to 2500UKP, 3 points, Disqualification).

>> The MOT test does not go into tyre pressures and I have never ever seen
>> > any legal issues regarding this.
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> the vehicle to establish what load is carried and at what axle? How does
> he calibrate his tyre pressure device?

"He" doesn't do any of these things, a VOSA examiner does, and would have
all the information needed. In many police authority areas VOSA examiners
now have the same right as the police to instruct a driver to stop in order
for his vehicle to be examined. This avoids the cost of having a police
officer available before roadside checks can be done.

> All sorts of problems in law with what he states. Maybe the vehicle reg
> stated by you gives a full breakdown?
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> directly resulted in a bad car accident and they wanted to ensure that a
> proper conviction was obtained.

Out of interest, I've just checked the Highway Code. Annex 1 states "Tyres
*MUST* be correctly inflated..."etc.

Chris

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sid - 13 Aug 2005 21:44 GMT

"> s41A(b) Road Traffic Act 1988, Road Vehicles (Construction and Use)

> Regulations 1986, reg 27, as amended

Its interesting that you are unable to quote other than from a " friendly
police traffic patrol
driver"

A search on google produced no more than a summary of faults that could
potentially result in prosectution. No % figures etc.for tyre inflation.
Perhaps you have a reference for any kind of figure?

Police officers certainly have a general overview of the law and are more
expert than a lay person, but they certainly do not have extensive knowledge
of every aspect.

That's why we now have a CPS who review evidence.

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Henri - 27 Jul 2005 17:15 GMT

You should never exceed the tire pressure which is stamped on the sidewall
of the tire.
I run 34 lbs all around on a Focus ZTS, No snaking problems. A snaking
problem means there is something wrong with the suspension on the car.

Hi there,

I have just bought a Ford Focus estate circa 2001

I am having a bit of a problem with it, it seems to snake a little when
going round corners.

All 4 tyres are at 31-32 PSI

In the book it recommends

UNLOADED
32 PSI FRONT
32 PSI BACK

LOADED (3 or more people)
32PSI
46PSI (my tyres say max 44PSI)

My car is sometimes used by just me but also with 3+ people and luggage.

I dont really want to go to the Garage to change PSI every time i change
loads.

Can anyone recommend what i should pump the tyres to ?

Has anyone experienced snaking issues in Focus.

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Timothy J. Lee - 28 Jul 2005 19:09 GMT

>I have just bought a Ford Focus estate circa 2001
>
>LOADED (3 or more people)
>32PSI
>46PSI (my tyres say max 44PSI)

Perhaps the previous owner replaced the tyres with incorrect spec tyres?

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Stephen F. - 29 Jul 2005 06:51 GMT

>>I have just bought a Ford Focus estate circa 2001
>>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Perhaps the previous owner replaced the tyres with incorrect spec tyres?

No, he's right. The OEM Continental Sport Contacts have a lower maximum
pressure on the sidewall than Ford's recommendation.

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