Author Topic: Tire pressure, lug bolts  (Read 3090 times)

gugel

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, CA, Rolling Hills Estates
  • Posts: 302
    • CPE Site
Tire pressure, lug bolts
« on: March 23, 2006, 15:13:54 »
The (original) tire pressure sticker in the trunk of my Euro 230SL specifies that the tire pressures are to be 1.8 atü front, and 2.2 atü rear.  That converts to 26.1 psi front and 31.9 psi rear.  Is that really correct, with today's tires?  I assume the car handles best with those pressures, but I worry a bit about putting too much strain on the sidewalls with that low a pressure in front.

Incidentally, I just had occasion to mount the spare for the first time, and discovered that the lug bolts from my alloy wheels were too long for the steel spare wheel.  Luckily, this happened in my garage, and I was able to get the shorter bolts easily, but if you have alloys and a steel spare, you might want to check the lug bolts.

Chris Earnest

J. Huber

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Cedar Ridge
  • Posts: 3061
Re: Tire pressure, lug bolts
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2006, 16:30:30 »
Hey Chris, not sure if its correct but I keep mine at 28.5 in the front and 31.5 in the back. I've tried more but this seems to work out.

PS Michelin X-Ones (195/70/14)

James
63 230SL
« Last Edit: March 23, 2006, 16:32:01 by J. Huber »
James
63 230SL

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7414
Re: Tire pressure, lug bolts
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2006, 17:55:43 »
Hello Chris,

After the alloy wheels were introduced, all the cars came with a warning tag in the trunk describing the long and short lug bolt situation.

Actually the longer bolts and steel wheels will not cause a problem in front, however as you noticed, the long lug bolts when fitted to the steel wheels in the rear will protrude through the flange and collide with the emergency brake shoes as the wheel turns. Not an ideal situation!

Occassionally these tags will turn up still intact. Here is a view of one;


Download Attachment: Trunk tag.JPG
79.24 KB

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
« Last Edit: March 23, 2006, 17:58:51 by ja17 »
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

RBurg

  • Guest
Re: Tire pressure, lug bolts
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2006, 18:17:08 »
Chris
I have found that I started out with 35 lbs - little rough lowered to 32 front & rear. Handles very nicely  with 205/70/14 alloy wheels.

Ron - Minnesota
71 280SL Tobacco "O GIGI"
97 E420 Silver Mist