Amy,

The 44 PSI rating on the tire is the maximum safe cold air pressure. I run my 2004 Prius at 42 (front) 40 (rear) to get better MPG (and tire wear) at the sacrifice of a somewhat harder ride (you feel the bumps more). You should hold the front to rear differential that is written on the door jam as it is intended to give the car better handling.

JeffD