[vanandmsv]

I have a (old) Corolla 1.8 which is about 2.5 years old now. I travel about 40kms every day to work, 30kms of which is highways averaging about 70kmph. Rest of 10kms is very bad stretch with nothing close to what a road will look like.

I am looking for ways to tweak/modify my car to make the ride less bumpy. I can't do much about improving the roads but can I make some changes in suspension settings to make the ride better?

Also, would it help to have tyre pressure slightly lesser than standard for my car?

[GTO]

Hi Vanandmsv,

1. How many kms on the odo? If your Corolla has covered 40,000+ kms, its best to have the suspension checked, and worn out parts replaced. Most Indian cars require a suspension overhaul at the 50,000 kms mark...earlier if frequently driven on bad roads. You can continue to drive on the OEM suspension after this kms mark, but it is performing way out of its optimal performance envelope.

2. I hope you haven't upsized your tyres / alloys?

The simplest way to improve your ride quality is to shod your car with comfort-oriented tyres (the OEM Bridgestones that Toyota uses are horribly stiff). Also, it wouldn't hurt to marginally lower the tyre pressure only within the city.

[nitrous]

Originally Posted by GTO

The simplest way to improve your ride quality is to shod your car with comfort-oriented tyres (the OEM Bridgestones that Toyota uses are horribly stiff). Also, it wouldn't hurt to marginally lower the tyre pressure only within the city.

+1
Stick to the stock size (195/65/R15?)

[vanandmsv]

25k done on the odo and no i have not changed anything from stock condition.
This one's an HE model, so no alloys and i've kept it that way.

I have nitrogen filled in for air and over the weekend i went back to the service station and checked tyre pressures. As my friend suggested, i have now set the typre pressre 10% below factory recommended. He says thats the right setting for Nitrogen.

Now, the ride is much better that it used to be. Simple type pressure has done miracles should say. But still, my wife says backseat of an Indica or a Ford Ikon is much more smoother than my Corolla. Maybe am just a really bad driver

[GTO]

This one's an HE model, so no alloys and i've kept it that way.

Aha, your car is also shod with lousy tube-type Bridgestone tyres then! Switching over to comfort-oriented tubeless tyres will greatly enhance the ride.