I asked BRGt350 that same question after I got mine home yesterday. Here's his reply: We have been running 39/40 in the ST. For track use, we dumped the rear pressure per the UK ST manual which suggests doing that for high speed operation. I have actually bumped my 2011 pressures up after seeing how high the ST uses.
Are you running the recommended tire pressure?
Immediately after driving my new ST off the lot, the tire pressure warning lot went off. Given that the tires were filled by the dealer with Nitrogen, I brought it back the next day to have them correct the pressure. Drove home and the light stayed off.
Being the type of guy I am I later checked my tires with my digital gauge... They were all hovering between 20-32psi. The placard on the drivers door jamb recommends 39psi front, 36psi rear. That seems a bit high to me - especially given that the tires themselves say do not exceed 40psi - but I went ahead and pumped them up by hand.
Are you all running the recommended tire pressure, 39f and 36r?
Nevertheless, it's kind of a bummer that even after a trip to the dealer exclusively for that purpose, they couldn't get the pressure right...
Being the type of guy I am I later checked my tires with my digital gauge... They were all hovering between 20-32psi. The placard on the drivers door jamb recommends 39psi front, 36psi rear. That seems a bit high to me - especially given that the tires themselves say do not exceed 40psi - but I went ahead and pumped them up by hand.
Are you all running the recommended tire pressure, 39f and 36r?
Nevertheless, it's kind of a bummer that even after a trip to the dealer exclusively for that purpose, they couldn't get the pressure right...
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yep, I am running 39 or 40 PSI in all 4 on the ST. I think it came with pressures set exactly what was on the sticker. We rotated the tires after autocrossing and just added pressure to the fronts, so that is why we have the same pressures in all 4 corners. I think Mark Kleis got his tires set at 32 or 34 by the dealer when he got his tires replaced, but bumped them up to 39 PSI.
40 psi.. + ST = Ouch!
Hope non of you have fillings! Lol
I can understand for auto x but not for daily use??
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Hope non of you have fillings! Lol
I can understand for auto x but not for daily use??
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40 sounds insane for a daily driver?
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Sent from my SAMSUNG-Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk2
Just seems higher than what would be comfortable in an already high sprung car. In my Fiesta now I'm running 36 front 35 rear with unforgiving Maine roads
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Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 4
Michigan has the worst roads in the country, and I have no issues with the pressures. I don't find the ST to ride harsh at all, so I am not sure how everyone is convinced the thing rides so bad. I have driven 3 different ST's in 2 countries and 10 states. Never once did I think the ride was harsh. I find it to be perfect for a sport compact. A well designed performance suspension is stiff, not harsh. The springs, twist beam, and dampers are all matched to produce fantastic performance and yet suitable for daily driving on terrible roads. The only possible time the ride was a little too harsh was on a section of mountain road in New Hampshire in which there was giant potholes, chunks of broken pavement, ruts, rocks, and gravel. It wasn't suitable for anything other than a SUV. I drove the ST pretty quick on it and avoiding taking out the oil pan and turbo hoses on the big rocks. The conditions looked more like a stage in Rallye Greece.
From what I read online, it seems most people say the ST is too expensive, has uncomfortable seats, rides too stiff, makes too much brake dust. Perhaps a regular car is more of your style then. The ST is a properly designed sport compact. All the complaints are just going to turn it into a lick-n-stick body kit without any performance.
From what I read online, it seems most people say the ST is too expensive, has uncomfortable seats, rides too stiff, makes too much brake dust. Perhaps a regular car is more of your style then. The ST is a properly designed sport compact. All the complaints are just going to turn it into a lick-n-stick body kit without any performance.
I agree with BRGT. If you think you can't handle the stiff ride quality, get a different car that's not performance oriented. Because of the low pro tires I'd be careful around large bumps and potholes to not mess up the wheels, but other than that it will soak up road bumps decently enough for me. I run 40PSI in my car now with low pro tires. I did notice a bit more stiffness in the ride when I bumped it up, but it wasn't any kind of a big deal and now I've gotten used to it and it's a non issue. If the ST is your daily driver and you rarely drive any other car, you will get used to the ride and you won't even notice it for the most part. And it's really worth it for it's amazing cornering capabilities. For all intents and purposes I think the ride quality was marginally better than my ZX2 and it has slightly larger sidewall tires than the ST.
In my opinion, the ride is just about perfect. It gives you a confident feeling of control without rattling your teeth. A friend of mine who drives a Mini commented on how smooth it rode.
Real teeth are over rated anyway .. :beaver::rotfl:
This hot hatch is not for everyoneMichigan has the worst roads in the country, and I have no issues with the pressures. I don't find the ST to ride harsh at all, so I am not sure how everyone is convinced the thing rides so bad. I have driven 3 different ST's in 2 countries and 10 states. Never once did I think the ride was harsh. I find it to be perfect for a sport compact. A well designed performance suspension is stiff, not harsh. The springs, twist beam, and dampers are all matched to produce fantastic performance and yet suitable for daily driving on terrible roads. The only possible time the ride was a little too harsh was on a section of mountain road in New Hampshire in which there was giant potholes, chunks of broken pavement, ruts, rocks, and gravel. It wasn't suitable for anything other than a SUV. I drove the ST pretty quick on it and avoiding taking out the oil pan and turbo hoses on the big rocks. The conditions looked more like a stage in Rallye Greece.
From what I read online, it seems most people say the ST is too expensive, has uncomfortable seats, rides too stiff, makes too much brake dust. Perhaps a regular car is more of your style then. The ST is a properly designed sport compact. All the complaints are just going to turn it into a lick-n-stick body kit without any performance.
There is no one car to fit everyone's wants and needs.
I have to say I love my FiST. Had it for almost a week now. The ride is awesome. I love that it is just the right mix of stiff and comfort. But I did come from driving a 94 Honda Civic SiR for the past 9 years and I had a "rattle out your fillings" suspension on it. On some bridge sections of the local thruway on my way home from work I was always tossed out of my seat. I'm very surprised that this car even handles a ton better than my civic too. The seats mixed with the suspension are perfect and I love it. But I actually like feeling the car when I drive it so a smooth ride is just boring to me. I actually haven't checked the tire pressure yet because the car has felt so good. I'll check it later and see what my dealer filled them to.
What I was trying to say was you can make any car feel like a poor/harsh ride, and even degrade the handling with improper tire inflation. Over inflated or under. I didn't realize the " door jam " inflation was 39f 36r and was super surprised they would go that high on the psi. I assume it is so you get a quicker turn in and a more responsive tire that hopefully can't be rolled off the wheel... I'm just more curious if it was for handling "tuning characteristics" from Ford or to make sure we aren't ripping tires of rims on the autox/track days. Interesting though.
Mgordon; hope your dealer gives you nitrogen for free.
Mgordon; hope your dealer gives you nitrogen for free.
To support BRGt350's comments:Michigan has the worst roads in the country, and I have no issues with the pressures. I don't find the ST to ride harsh at all, so I am not sure how everyone is convinced the thing rides so bad. I have driven 3 different ST's in 2 countries and 10 states. Never once did I think the ride was harsh. I find it to be perfect for a sport compact. A well designed performance suspension is stiff, not harsh. The springs, twist beam, and dampers are all matched to produce fantastic performance and yet suitable for daily driving on terrible roads. The only possible time the ride was a little too harsh was on a section of mountain road in New Hampshire in which there was giant potholes, chunks of broken pavement, ruts, rocks, and gravel. It wasn't suitable for anything other than a SUV. I drove the ST pretty quick on it and avoiding taking out the oil pan and turbo hoses on the big rocks. The conditions looked more like a stage in Rallye Greece.
From what I read online, it seems most people say the ST is too expensive, has uncomfortable seats, rides too stiff, makes too much brake dust. Perhaps a regular car is more of your style then. The ST is a properly designed sport compact. All the complaints are just going to turn it into a lick-n-stick body kit without any performance.
1. The ST ride even with the high tire pressures is quite comfortable. My SES with the FRPP setup and Steeda, FSWerks and TB Performance mods rides like a rock compared to the ST (the OEM Hankooks are back on the SES and the ride is marginally smoother).
2. The ST pricing issue is obviously relative to each individual's wants, needs, and resources. Personally, I thought that it should start at $19,995 plus freight (missed that by $1,405).
3. Brake dust is unbelievable. Order Rado Grey wheels if you have a strong aversion to it and don't want to/can't clean your wheels on an every-other-day basis.
4. The standard driver's seat (same structure as the SE appearance package sport seat) has a lumbar adjustment which I find to be perfect when fully amped up. Again, personal choice.
5. The exhaust sound is nice when pushed.
6. The steering feels heavier than the SES. It will be interesting to see the difference when I swap out the 'stones/17's for Conti ExtremeContact DWS's on lighter SES 16 rims next month.
7. I got accustomed to MyTouch but the screen gets smudged super quick.
8. Armrest is out-of-the-way for a stick which is fine by me. Bryan may view it differently.
9. Get the Mountune short shifter. Fourth to fifth shift is more truck-like than hot hatch. Up-shift light comes on a little early but in following it, I got 32.5 mpg (50% city/50% suburban driving) on the first fill-up and 37.6 mpg with 95% 65 mph cruise-controlled, interstate driving on tank 2.
10. That said, I must say I like driving a Focus ST just as much as the Fiesta ST. With the Focus, I could drive in 5th all around town without having to downshift as much ad there was always plenty of power.
So what brand and style are the OEM tires on the new FiSTs?
I want to do some spec comparisons...
I want to do some spec comparisons...
I believe they're Bridgestone Potenza Summers, but the exact model eludes me.
Edit: RE050As, looks like.
Edit: RE050As, looks like.
Thanks.I believe they're Bridgestone Potenza Summers, but the exact model eludes me.
Edit: RE050As, looks like.
Hmm, Tire Rack lists only 205/45x17s, not the 205/40s I believe are on this car? Sorry to ask you to do a run-around, but do you have 40s or 45s?
I'll have to check the exact tires later. In the office at the moment.
mine had 43-44 psi in them when I checked at home. They are now set to 39F, 36R. and they are P205/40-R17 Bridgestone RE050A summer-only tires
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