Just picked up a one year old car in mint condition with only 10K Km on the odo. The tyres [Dunlop] tend to pass on road vibration - at least I think its the tyres. The local Skoda guys said that I should reduce the pressure to 28 psi while the recommended pressure is 32 psi.

Should I do this or try to find some other solution? Any suggestions?

Can you help us and specify which type of Dunlops and tyre size e.g. 225/45 17.

However, in general terms lowering tyre pressures will give a softer ride and (perhaps) less tyre noise BUT they then cause other issues of higher wear rate, softer handling/braking etc. Manufacturers do not just dream up 32psi as the correct pressure for nothing; they calculate and test them extensively.

IMHO I would stick to the book pressure.

Generally though Dunlops and Continentals seem to be noisier than most tyres (on the Octavia) and a switch to Goodyear, Michelin, Toyo or Falken will improve the situation.

As bahnstormer says - manufacturers do not just dream up tyre pressure recommendations.

I switched from the fitted Michelins to Hankook Ventus 104s and the ride noise reduced considerably.

I can always tell when the tyre pressure on mine is starting to dip as it feels horrible to drive... I'd be sticking with the book pressure all the way and completely agree with the above

I have run at both 28 and 30, which did give a softer and slightly quieter ride and I now run at 30 psi unless I have a full load then go back to 32 psi.

It is purely down to our diabolical roads and road surfaces, although I fully accept some tire brands are better than others, mine are the OE Dunlop Sport.

It is purely down to our diabolical roads and road surfaces, although I fully accept some tire brands are better than others, mine are the OE Dunlop Sport.

Agreed - which you can verify when you get onto that new motorway rubberised stuff and think you have stopped moving.

(Mind you, on the motorways round here you probably have stopped moving.)

I discovered that my tires have been at the wrong pressure since I purchased the car 5 years ago, they were set by the garage at 29psi Dunlop SP 2000E 205/55R16 91W, at which pressure I kept them, correct pressures were front 32psi and rear 33psi the pressures were given on the filler flap as KPA I have had to replace all 4 tires at 18000 mls.

I found the dunlops noisy and hard, now have goodyear excellence all round and what a difference, and this time they are at the correct pressures, and hopefully should last a lot longer! Time will tell

Agree with the above, different makes of tyres do transmit varying levels of road noise. As can the wheels, steel wheels are generally noisier with regards road noise transmission than alloys. You can try swopping your wheels front to back or corner to corner (depending if they are directional tyres) to see if the road noise seems to move to a different location. If this is the case it could mean a faulty tyre is causing the noise and needs replacement, I have had past experience on a Toyota of one of the tyres transmitting lots more noise than the others due to a manufacturing fault.

Steve

Thanks guys - the tyres are the OEM Dunlop, 205, 5 R16s and the dealer confirmed that they have a reputation for noise. Cant really spend now so I guess I'll live with background music for now.