Caterham · Seven SV · Overview
Caterham Seven SV: 2.2-2.4 bar / 32-35 psi
- Drivetrain
- front-wheel drive
- Body
- passenger car
- PSI F / R
- 32-35 / 32-35
- Bar F / R
- 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4
psi
34 / 34
Catalogue mid-points, front / rear · 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4 bar
32-35 psi F · 32-35 psi R · 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4 bar · 231/231 kPa
This front-wheel drive passenger car is filed here with a working range of 32-35/32-35 psi. The pillar sticker on your VIN still overrides the website. Size estimates on this page include 195/65R15, 215/55R16 and 225/45R17 — interpolated from the catalogue midpoint, not a second factory sticker.
Spare and inflator kit
A matching full-size spare on the Caterham Seven SV 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.
Caterham notes
No special Caterham exception: the Seven SV uses the door-pillar placard. Size estimates on this page only help if you have left the original load index behind.
Estimated pressure by tyre size (195/65R15 and others)
If your Caterham Seven SV no longer wears the OEM diameter, start at the row nearest 195/65R15 or 215/55R16 and confirm with the tyre maker’s load table.
| Tyre size | Front PSI | Rear PSI | Front bar | Rear bar | Front kPa | Rear kPa | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 195/65R15 | 34 | 34 | 2.34 | 2.34 | 234 | 234 | Very common compact |
| 215/55R16 | 34 | 35 | 2.34 | 2.41 | 234 | 241 | Slightly wider 16-inch |
| 225/45R17 | 35 | 35 | 2.41 | 2.41 | 241 | 241 | Sport 17-inch |
| 205/55R16 | 34 | 34 | 2.34 | 2.34 | 234 | 234 | Typical mid-compact OEM |
| 225/40R18 | 36 | 36 | 2.48 | 2.48 | 248 | 248 | Low-profile 18-inch |
| 245/40R18 | 36 | 36 | 2.48 | 2.48 | 248 | 248 | Wide touring 18-inch |
| 205/60R16 | 34 | 34 | 2.34 | 2.34 | 234 | 234 | Taller 16-inch |
| 185/65R15 | 33 | 33 | 2.28 | 2.28 | 228 | 228 | Small / older car |
Caterham Seven SV placard versus sidewall
Sidewall PSI is a carcass maximum. Recommended operating pressure for this Seven SV is the pillar sticker, near 34/34 psi.
Temperature and a cold gauge
Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 34 psi as a 20 °C baseline for this Seven SV.
| 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 |
PSI, bar and kPa
1 bar ≈ 14.5 psi; 1 psi ≈ 6.89 kPa. Mid-points on the Seven SV: 34 psi = 2.31 bar = 231 kPa.
| PSI | Bar | kPa |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 2.07 | 207 |
| 32 | 2.21 | 221 |
| 33 | 2.28 | 228 |
| 33.5 | 2.31 | 231 |
| 35 | 2.41 | 241 |
| 36 | 2.48 | 248 |
| 38 | 2.62 | 262 |
| 40 | 2.76 | 276 |
| 44 | 3.03 | 303 |
| 50 | 3.45 | 345 |
| 60 | 4.14 | 414 |
Pressure against load
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 | 36 psi / 2.48 bar |
How to set the Seven SV
- Park the Caterham Seven SV for at least three hours (cold tyres).
- Use a calibrated gauge, not the only meter on a forecourt hose.
- Set the placard for that axle — about 32-35 psi / 2.2-2.4 bar front and 32-35 psi / 2.2-2.4 bar rear on this catalogue row.
- Recheck all four. A 2 psi miss on a front-wheel drive Seven SV is enough to feel a pull.
- Refit valve caps and reset TPMS if the handbook asks for a relearn.
A cheap gauge and a monthly habit will do more for this Seven SV than nitrogen upsells.
Other Caterham models
Questions about this Seven SV
Front versus rear on the Caterham Seven SV?
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.
When does TPMS warn on a Caterham Seven SV?
Direct TPMS typically flags about 25% below placard — near 25 psi on this row. Fill to the sticker, not to the lamp.
Should I bleed pressure after a motorway run?
No. Heat raises the gauge. Set cold only. Bleeding a hot tyre leaves it low the next morning.
What is that in bar and kPa for the Seven SV?
Mid-points are about 2.31 bar (231 kPa) front and 2.31 bar (231 kPa) rear.
Is the sidewall number correct on a Caterham Seven SV?
No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The Seven SV placard is the operating target, near 32-35/32-35 psi.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · front vs rear · cold inflation