Increase front tire pressure over recommended

guho · 04-04-2022, 11:22 AM

I have 18" stock run flat tires on my 2017 540i xDrive. The recommended pressure for front is 33 psi and rear 38 psi even though they are the same rims and tires. We've had multiple cases of wheel damage from potholes. Would it help to protect the wheels from pothole impact to increase the front tire pressure closer to the rear tire pressure even if it were to result in a harsher ride? Perhaps I could try 36 psi in front and 38 psi in the rear. I am not willing to switch to non-run-flat tires because I have no spare wheel.

2022M550i · 04-04-2022, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guho

I have 18" stock run flat tires on my 2017 540i xDrive. The recommended pressure for front is 33 psi and rear 38 psi even though they are the same rims and tires. We've had multiple cases of wheel damage from potholes. Would it help to protect the wheels from pothole impact to increase the front tire pressure closer to the rear tire pressure even if it were to result in a harsher ride? Perhaps I could try 36 psi in front and 38 psi in the rear. I am not willing to switch to non-run-flat tires because I have no spare wheel.

I don't think that's going to help much. And don't forget when you drive it, the tires heat up And the pressure increases.

G30 B58 · 04-05-2022, 11:59 AM

Higher pressure will certainly help with possible wheel damage from the edge of a pot hole. But at the expense of comfort and to a lesser degree, handling.

I say go for the 36F 38R. Seems odd that the factory is 5lbs difference F to R but I assume that's for handling / turn-in and having the road being felt through the steering wheel.

Joe-BMW33 · 04-07-2022, 05:15 AM

I know you don't want to go to non run flats because of the lack of a spare. But think about it this way, probably 50% of the time the run flats is so damaged that your can't drive on it, so a call to roadside assistance and a tow is needed. So it's pretty much the same as running without a spare with non run flats. Personally, my car was optioned with non run flats and a spare. That thing will never leave my trunk. I'm calling roadside assistance for a tow in any scenario.

manija · 04-09-2022, 03:06 PM

What kind of wheel damages you have?
Stock 18" wheels are quite high, probably try to change the tyres to another.
From example GoodYear has more soft sides to compare to Continental or Michelin.

Knifeedge2k1 · 04-11-2022, 06:12 AM

you must have reallly bad potholes or just arent arent slowing down / avoiding enough
18 inch rim/tire package has quite a lot of meat on the sidewalls

TEF · 04-23-2022, 06:03 PM

Would agree with G30 B58 relative to higher tire pressure in run flats. Given that these tires have very little compliance (flex) due to stiff sidewalls, there is very little give other than the alloy wheels when hitting a pot hole. It's a shame that BMW insists on run flats, as there is a wonderful ride hiding under those granite-like tires. I've owned three BMWs and removed the OE run flats as soon as I could rationalize the cost of new non run flats.

04-04-2022, 11:22 AM	#1
guho New Member 4 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 540xi g30 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Sleepy Hollow,NY,USA iTrader: (0)	Increase front tire pressure over recommended I have 18" stock run flat tires on my 2017 540i xDrive. The recommended pressure for front is 33 psi and rear 38 psi even though they are the same rims and tires. We've had multiple cases of wheel damage from potholes. Would it help to protect the wheels from pothole impact to increase the front tire pressure closer to the rear tire pressure even if it were to result in a harsher ride? Perhaps I could try 36 psi in front and 38 psi in the rear. I am not willing to switch to non-run-flat tires because I have no spare wheel.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-05-2022, 11:59 AM	#3
G30 B58 Pace Car Driver 1547 Rep 3,163 Posts Drives: '22 AW G30 B58 M-Sport Join Date: May 2014 Location: my garage in PA iTrader: (0)	Higher pressure will certainly help with possible wheel damage from the edge of a pot hole. But at the expense of comfort and to a lesser degree, handling. I say go for the 36F 38R. Seems odd that the factory is 5lbs difference F to R but I assume that's for handling / turn-in and having the road being felt through the steering wheel.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-07-2022, 05:15 AM	#4
Joe-BMW33 Major General 7204 Rep 6,651 Posts Drives: '18 M550i\|'21 X5\|'03 540i Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Boston iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 VW Tiguan [0.00] 2015 Infiniti QX60 [0.00] 2021 BMW X5 [0.00] 2003 BMW 540i [0.00] 2018 BMW M550 [10.00]	I know you don't want to go to non run flats because of the lack of a spare. But think about it this way, probably 50% of the time the run flats is so damaged that your can't drive on it, so a call to roadside assistance and a tow is needed. So it's pretty much the same as running without a spare with non run flats. Personally, my car was optioned with non run flats and a spare. That thing will never leave my trunk. I'm calling roadside assistance for a tow in any scenario. __________________ 2018 M550ix\|Carbon Black\|Dinan Modifications\|2003 540i\|Jet Black\|M-Sport\|2021 X5 Mineral White Prior BMW's: 1987 325e\|1993 740i\|1998 740il\|2001 530i\|2002 745li\|2007 750li\|2006 750li\|2001 530i\|2012 535xi\|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2022, 03:06 PM	#5
manija Enlisted Member 3 Rep 31 Posts Drives: ex E61, ex E91, F11 525d LCI Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: LT iTrader: (0)	What kind of wheel damages you have? Stock 18" wheels are quite high, probably try to change the tyres to another. From example GoodYear has more soft sides to compare to Continental or Michelin.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-11-2022, 06:12 AM	#6
Knifeedge2k1 Second Lieutenant 147 Rep 275 Posts Drives: BMW G30 520i 2019 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	you must have reallly bad potholes or just arent arent slowing down / avoiding enough 18 inch rim/tire package has quite a lot of meat on the sidewalls
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-23-2022, 06:03 PM	#7
TEF First Lieutenant 109 Rep 374 Posts Drives: 16 X3 28d/18 540d xdrive Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Western PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 540d xdrive [0.00] 2018 540d xdrive [0.00] 2016 X3 28d [0.00]	Would agree with G30 B58 relative to higher tire pressure in run flats. Given that these tires have very little compliance (flex) due to stiff sidewalls, there is very little give other than the alloy wheels when hitting a pot hole. It's a shame that BMW insists on run flats, as there is a wonderful ride hiding under those granite-like tires. I've owned three BMWs and removed the OE run flats as soon as I could rationalize the cost of new non run flats.
	Appreciate 0 Quote