Any article that simply states to use the max allowable tire inflation pressure (as labeled on the sidewall of the tire) is simply not reputable. This is terribly bad advice and should not be proliferated.

Now, if your goal is simply highest possible mpg, then go ahead and pump 'em up. I have my HCH2 set to 49psi. But if you want the best handling/performance, then this pressure is simply nuts (my Evo runs 38 front, 35 rear, to get a bit of oversteer).

I don't believe the OP's opinion for one minute. There's no way any suspension is so fragile that it'll be susceptible to tire pressure. The dealer just gave you bad information.

 

Reading the original post reminded me of what a buddy of mine (a major car junkie) has said about over inflating tires. Although I mostly tuned him out on this subject, he says over inflated tires will generally have less flex or "give" in their sidewalls. This results in more movement or energy being transferred to the suspension components. I think he said this can cause additional heating up of stuff like the hydraulic fluid in shocks/struts. Now, I've told him I thought that was dopey and basically ignored his yapping (lots of folks run higher tires pressures than manufacturer's recommendations). But, I can also see what he is saying - I think there is a basic engineering design with a vehicle that incorporates their tires and a given tire pressure into account as part of the total suspension system. I just have a hard time buying that even if the car's mechanical suspension gets worked a bit harder due to over inflated tires, that is something that can cause significantly higher than normal stress and wear. Anyway, I hope my buddy doesn't read this thread - I won't hear the end of it!!

 

I agree with the lesson... but not so sure tire pressure caused your suspension failure.

I'm VERY suprised high tire pressure would cause a bad suspension. It might increase the stress SOME but... frankly usually a bad SUSPENSION ruins the TIRES not the other way around. I think the dealer was trying to "pass the buck" and avoid some responsibility for a suspension that went bad from Honda. They have a reputation to uphold at Honda.

That being said.... I NOW run mine at manufacturer's spec! Why? Despite what some say, higher pressures reduce your contact patch on the pavement (bad in slippery conditions) and have an effect on the tire wear. There are some handling improvements with high pressure (hard cornering for example because the tires won't roll over as much on their sidewalls). However, frankly I don't get involved in many police chases so hard cornering is a rare instance.... driving on slippery roads is NOT. Frankly, police officers drive their cars differently than I do... I'm not sure whats best for them is whats best for me.

Less rubber in contact with the road during rain is better? The police officer article contradicts ITSELF in that one paragraph... starts out by saying that more rubber in contact with the road is bad and then at the END of the same paragraph says "...Also, a soft tire can be pushed in more by the pressure of the water on the center portion of the tread. This results in less rubber in contact with the road..." Which is it... less rubber in contact with the road is better or more? Can't be both. I think the paragraph applies if your pressure is TOO LOW but not when its at spec, and I think the author hasn't read his reference correctly... If the pressure is so low you are riding on your sidewalls, you'll hydroplane, too high and you are riding on the center, you'll hydroplane.... somewhere in between with all your tread on the pavement is the best.

As for tire wear....I just changed my tires. For probably half their life I ran them at 40PSI rather than 35PSI and I got nearly 70,000 miles out of them (LRR). While thats a good wear life, you COULD tell they were overinflated by the wear pattern. The center of the tread pattern was worn SIGNIFICANTY more than the shoulders (except for an inside edge ruined by a sway bar problem). You literally could see that the center of the tire was sunk in after it was unmounted. Clearly I was running more on the center of my overinflated tire and reducing my contact patch..... no thanks.... I'd rather have as much rubber on the road as I can.