Lancia Motor Club

From experience, what is the optimum tyre pressure for Michelin XAS tyres on standard S2 Coupe steel rims - for normal driving with one or two on board?  Thanks in anticipation, Norm

Around 24psi all round. Are they new rubber?

Thanks for the response.   Based on appearance I'm guessing they were fitted in the last 12 to 18 months.

If they squeal round the round abouts they may be a bit older ;)

look on the sidewall and you may see numbers like  2314 or similar in small numbers, which means tyres were made the 23rd week of 2014,

According to the handbook, 1.5Kg/sq.cm = 21.3psi to 1.7Kg/sq.cm = 24.1 psi for long runs fully loaded at high speed front and rear.

If the  tyres were made recently, they may need a much higher pressure (usually 2 bar).
Andrea

I had noticed that, in general, required tyre pressures tend to higher now compared with say 30 or 40 years ago. Way back then, 24psi would be fairly standard, whereas now, as Andrea has suggested, 2bar (29psi), if not higher, say 2.3bar (34psi) seems routine.

Is anyone able to shed some light on this shift please?

                                                       Andy

Would it be anything to do with the change from cross ply to radial ply tyres?

Most likely due to side walls being lower profile on more modern tyres. So if running non standard lower profile tyres like I do I tend to go to 2bar.

Cant remember when Lancia stopped fitting crossplies but it must be pre Aprilia.

Tim, I think you are right, Fulvia always had radial tyres, but they would have been 82 series, today only 80 series tyres are generally available, which are marginally lower profile:  2Bar (~28psi) works well in my experience.

The first Michelin Xs were fitted to Aurelias, so well after the Aprilia. See Longstone Tyres website, where there's a bit of tyre history.
Regards, John

When I bought "Fay" she had what I believe was the original 155,14,x80 Michelin X's fitted, as she'd only done 27,000 miles with the original owner, and it looked like the spare had only been used lightly.

Brian
8227 8)

Agree, Aprilias were originally cross ply but Michelin X suited them very well.  Now universally on radials I suspect.  Agree also, 22 psi on my Fulvia means impossibly heavy steering with modern tyres.  Currently at 28 psi but tempted to go higher...

David,
The new Dunlop Street Response  i've just fitted to my 2c are very good once the wheels are moving, even very slowly, so I have no complaints
I run 28psi all round.

Brian
8227 8)

Lancialulu may be on to something re. sidewalls.  I have Michelin X (new and very expensive) on the Aprilia.  Running at 24 psi the steering is still as light as a feather (but then I don't think any Fulvia can approach sliding pillar steering).   XAS insofar as I am aware are the same as X apart from the asymmetrical tread so maybe you should go with the handbook pressure at least at first.

I run my "X"s at 24 psi

Having just ried 22 so shall I - on the Aprilia.   Not a hge difference but noticable. Incidentally, just had great fun round a motorway roundabout at 45 mph.

I wouldn't disagree with any of the advice being offered, a good sense check is to have a quick feel of the tyres after a motorway run. If they feel very hot add a few psi and vice versa if they're not getting up to temperature. Not very scientific and rather subjective but it will definitely get you in the ball park.

Wonderful bit of common sense there Rob !!

                                      Andy