Microcar · MC1 · Bar

Microcar MC1 bar chart (2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4)

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

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

2.3 bar is not 23 psi. On this MC1 2.2-2.4 bar converts to about 32-35 psi. Use the table, not a guess. Under-inflation cooks the shoulders of a MC1; over-inflation wears the centre rib and bangs every cat’s eye.

Bar, PSI and kPa

Bar-led conversions around the Microcar MC1. 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

Microcar MC1 placard versus sidewall

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

Estimated pressure by tyre size (225/40R18 and others)

If your Microcar MC1 no longer wears the OEM diameter, start at the row nearest 225/40R18 or 185/65R15 and confirm with the tyre maker’s load table.

Tyre size	Front PSI	Rear PSI	Front bar	Rear bar	Front kPa	Rear kPa	Note
225/40R18	36	36	2.48	2.48	248	248	Low-profile 18-inch
185/65R15	33	33	2.28	2.28	228	228	Small / older car
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
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
225/45R17	35	35	2.41	2.41	241	241	Sport 17-inch
205/60R16	34	34	2.34	2.34	234	234	Taller 16-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	34 psi / 2.34 bar	35 psi / 2.41 bar
Motorway + luggage	35 psi / 2.41 bar	37 psi / 2.55 bar

How to set the MC1

Measure before the school run, not after the M25.
Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep MC1 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 MC1.

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

Microcar notes

No special Microcar exception: the MC1 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 Microcar MC1 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.

A cheap gauge and a monthly habit will do more for this MC1 than nitrogen upsells.

Other Microcar models

Ecology/Lyra M.Cross Flex Virgo Due Cargo Sherpa M.Go

Questions about this MC1

Is the sidewall number correct on a Microcar MC1?

No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The MC1 placard is the operating target, near 32-35/32-35 psi.

What PSI if I plus-size toward 195/65R15?

Keep load index at or above OEM. Low-profile sizes usually stay at or slightly above the placard. Use 225/40R18, 185/65R15 and 195/65R15 as a planning band.

When does TPMS warn on a Microcar MC1?

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.

How often should I check a MC1?

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

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