BMW · 214 · Bar

Recommended bar for a BMW 214

Drivetrain: rear-wheel drive
Body: passenger car
PSI F / R: 32-35 / 32-35
Bar F / R: 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4

bar

2.31 / 2.31

32-35 / 32-35 psi · 231 / 231 kPa

32-35 psi F · 32-35 psi R · 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4 bar · 231/231 kPa

A rear-wheel drive BMW 214 still wants even corners. 2.2-2.4 vs 2.2-2.4 is an axle split, not a left-right split. A 10 °C overnight drop takes roughly 1 psi (0.07 bar) off a closed BMW tyre.

Bar, PSI and kPa

Bar-led conversions around the BMW 214. 2.2-2.4 bar is not “32-35 divided by ten”.

Bar	PSI	kPa
2.07	30	207
2.21	32	221
2.28	33	228
2.31	33.5	231
2.41	35	241
2.48	36	248
2.62	38	262
2.76	40	276
3.03	44	303
3.45	50	345
4.14	60	414

BMW 214 placard versus sidewall

Sidewall PSI is a carcass maximum. Recommended operating pressure for this 214 is the pillar sticker, near 34/34 psi.

Estimated pressure by tyre size (185/65R15 and others)

Planning cold pressures for sizes often seen on a passenger car. This 214 sample opens with 185/65R15, then 215/55R16 and 215/50R17.

Tyre size	Front PSI	Rear PSI	Front bar	Rear bar	Front kPa	Rear kPa	Note
185/65R15	33	33	2.28	2.28	228	228	Small / older car
215/55R16	34	35	2.34	2.41	234	241	Slightly wider 16-inch
215/50R17	35	35	2.41	2.41	241	241	Plus-size 17-inch
205/60R16	34	34	2.34	2.34	234	234	Taller 16-inch
205/55R16	34	34	2.34	2.34	234	234	Typical mid-compact OEM
195/65R15	34	34	2.34	2.34	234	234	Very common compact
245/40R18	36	36	2.48	2.48	248	248	Wide touring 18-inch
225/45R17	35	35	2.41	2.41	241	241	Sport 17-inch

Load notes

Load moves the rear of a passenger car first. If the factory placard already has a “laden” column, use that instead of these sketches.

Condition	Front (est.)	Rear (est.)
Driver only	34 psi / 2.34 bar	34 psi / 2.34 bar
Full occupancy	35 psi / 2.41 bar	36 psi / 2.48 bar
Motorway + luggage	36 psi / 2.48 bar	37 psi / 2.55 bar

How to set the 214

Measure before the school run, not after the M25.
Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep 214 numbers in your head.
Add air in short bursts toward 34 psi (2.31 bar) front and 34 psi rear.
If one corner is 4 psi down, hunt for a nail before you blame the weather.
Log date, ambient temperature and the four readings.

Temperature drift

Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 34 psi as a 20 °C baseline for this 214.

Ambient	Gauge (front mid)	Bar	kPa	Note
−5 °C (hard frost)	31 psi	2.14 bar	214 kPa	Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
0 °C	32 psi	2.21 bar	221 kPa	Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
8 °C (UK winter morning)	33 psi	2.28 bar	228 kPa	Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
20 °C (set cold here)	34 psi	2.34 bar	234 kPa	Baseline
30 °C	36 psi	2.48 bar	248 kPa	Do not bleed a hot tyre
38 °C (heatwave tarmac)	37 psi	2.55 bar	255 kPa	Do not bleed a hot tyre

BMW notes

BMW run-flats still want the placard. Comfort settings in the iDrive do not replace the door-pillar figure on this 214.

Spare and inflator kit

A matching full-size spare on the BMW 214 usually follows the higher axle (often the rear, near 32-35 psi). A space-saver is commonly 60 psi / 4.1 bar — read that tyre’s own sidewall. An inflator kit is not a spare; check the sealant date.

If the BMW sticker and this page disagree, the sticker wins.

Other BMW models

316 125 114 220 123 130 2002 140

Questions about this 214

Front versus rear on the BMW 214?

This row is 32-35 F / 32-35 R. Even when they match, a laden rear can justify a higher number if the sticker prints one.

How often should I check a 214?

Monthly, before a long trip, and after a 10 °C weather swing. Include a full-size spare.

Is the sidewall number correct on a BMW 214?

No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The 214 placard is the operating target, near 32-35/32-35 psi.

When does TPMS warn on a BMW 214?

Direct TPMS typically flags about 25% below placard — near 25 psi on this row. Fill to the sticker, not to the lamp.

What is that in bar and kPa for the 214?

Mid-points are about 2.31 bar (231 kPa) front and 2.31 bar (231 kPa) rear.

Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · front vs rear · cold inflation