Delorean · DMC-12 · Overview

Delorean DMC-12: 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

The Delorean DMC-12 catalogue band is 32-35 psi front and 32-35 psi rear — 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4 bar, or about 231 / 231 kPa — measured cold. Under-inflation cooks the shoulders of a DMC-12; over-inflation wears the centre rib and bangs every cat’s eye.

Temperature and a cold gauge

Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 34 psi as a 20 °C baseline for this DMC-12.

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

Delorean DMC-12 placard versus sidewall

If the Delorean sticker is painted over, the handbook is next. This website is a map, not a replacement VIN label.

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

If your Delorean DMC-12 no longer wears the OEM diameter, start at the row nearest 185/65R15 or 225/45R17 and confirm with the tyre maker’s load table.

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
225/45R17	35	35	2.41	2.41	241	241	Sport 17-inch
195/65R15	34	34	2.34	2.34	234	234	Very common compact
205/60R16	34	34	2.34	2.34	234	234	Taller 16-inch
245/40R18	36	36	2.48	2.48	248	248	Wide touring 18-inch
205/55R16	34	34	2.34	2.34	234	234	Typical mid-compact OEM
215/50R17	35	35	2.41	2.41	241	241	Plus-size 17-inch
215/55R16	34	35	2.34	2.41	234	241	Slightly wider 16-inch

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 DMC-12

Park the Delorean DMC-12 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 DMC-12 is enough to feel a pull.
Refit valve caps and reset TPMS if the handbook asks for a relearn.

PSI, bar and kPa

1 bar ≈ 14.5 psi; 1 psi ≈ 6.89 kPa. Mid-points on the DMC-12: 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

Spare and inflator kit

A matching full-size spare on the Delorean DMC-12 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.

Delorean notes

No special Delorean exception: the DMC-12 uses the door-pillar placard. Size estimates on this page only help if you have left the original load index behind.

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

Other Delorean models

Questions about this DMC-12

How often should I check a DMC-12?

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

What tyre pressure should a Delorean DMC-12 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.

Is the sidewall number correct on a Delorean DMC-12?

No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The DMC-12 placard is the operating target, near 32-35/32-35 psi.

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.

Front versus rear on the Delorean DMC-12?

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.

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