Citroen · SM · kPa
231 kPa front, 231 kPa rear — Citroen SM
- 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
kPa
231 / 231
2.31 / 2.31 bar · 32-35 / 32-35 psi
32-35 psi F · 32-35 psi R · 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4 bar · 231/231 kPa
If your gauge only speaks kPa, aim near 231 / 231 for this SM, then fine-tune to the placard. A 10 °C overnight drop takes roughly 1 psi (0.07 bar) off a closed Citroen tyre.
kPa, bar and PSI
kPa-led conversions. 220 kPa is 2.2 bar and about 32 psi — handy if this SM sticker uses SI units.
| kPa | Bar | PSI |
|---|---|---|
| 207 | 2.07 | 30 |
| 221 | 2.21 | 32 |
| 228 | 2.28 | 33 |
| 231 | 2.31 | 33.5 |
| 241 | 2.41 | 35 |
| 248 | 2.48 | 36 |
| 262 | 2.62 | 38 |
| 276 | 2.76 | 40 |
| 303 | 3.03 | 44 |
| 345 | 3.45 | 50 |
| 414 | 4.14 | 60 |
Estimated pressure by tyre size (225/50R17 and others)
If your Citroen SM no longer wears the OEM diameter, start at the row nearest 225/50R17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225/50R17 | 35 | 35 | 2.41 | 2.41 | 241 | 241 | Touring 17-inch |
| 215/55R16 | 34 | 35 | 2.34 | 2.41 | 234 | 241 | Slightly wider 16-inch |
| 185/65R15 | 33 | 33 | 2.28 | 2.28 | 228 | 228 | Small / older car |
| 225/40R18 | 36 | 36 | 2.48 | 2.48 | 248 | 248 | Low-profile 18-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 |
| 225/45R17 | 35 | 35 | 2.41 | 2.41 | 241 | 241 | Sport 17-inch |
| 215/50R17 | 35 | 35 | 2.41 | 2.41 | 241 | 241 | Plus-size 17-inch |
Citroen SM placard versus sidewall
If the Citroen sticker is painted over, the handbook is next. This website is a map, not a replacement VIN label.
Temperature drift
Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 34 psi as a 20 °C baseline for this SM.
| 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 |
How to set the SM
- Park the Citroen SM 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 SM is enough to feel a pull.
- Refit valve caps and reset TPMS if the handbook asks for a relearn.
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 | 38 psi / 2.62 bar |
Citroen notes
No special Citroen exception: the SM uses the door-pillar placard. Size estimates on this page only help if you have left the original load index behind.
Spare and inflator kit
A matching full-size spare on the Citroen SM 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 Citroen sticker and this page disagree, the sticker wins.
Other Citroen models
Questions about this SM
What is that in bar and kPa for the SM?
Mid-points are about 2.31 bar (231 kPa) front and 2.31 bar (231 kPa) rear.
Front versus rear on the Citroen SM?
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.
Is the sidewall number correct on a Citroen SM?
No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The SM placard is the operating target, near 32-35/32-35 psi.
When does TPMS warn on a Citroen SM?
Direct TPMS typically flags about 25% below placard — near 25 psi on this row. Fill to the sticker, not to the lamp.
What tyre pressure should a Citroen SM use?
Catalogue reference is 32-35 psi front and 32-35 psi rear (2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4 bar), cold. Confirm on the door-pillar placard.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · front vs rear · cold inflation