NSU · RO80 · Bar

NSU RO80 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

European and UK handbooks usually quote bar. The NSU RO80 catalogue is 2.2-2.4 bar front and 2.2-2.4 bar rear (midpoint 2.31 / 2.31). A 10 °C overnight drop takes roughly 1 psi (0.07 bar) off a closed NSU tyre.

Bar, PSI and kPa

Bar-led conversions around the NSU RO80. 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

NSU RO80 placard versus sidewall

Sidewall PSI is a carcass maximum. Recommended operating pressure for this RO80 is the pillar sticker, near 34/34 psi.

Estimated pressure by tyre size (205/55R16 and others)

205/55R16 is the first planning size here. 185/65R15 is usually the plus-size or LT step. Keep load index at or above original equipment.

Tyre size	Front PSI	Rear PSI	Front bar	Rear bar	Front kPa	Rear kPa	Note
205/55R16	34	34	2.34	2.34	234	234	Typical mid-compact OEM
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
215/50R17	35	35	2.41	2.41	241	241	Plus-size 17-inch
225/40R18	36	36	2.48	2.48	248	248	Low-profile 18-inch
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
195/65R15	34	34	2.34	2.34	234	234	Very common compact

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 RO80

Measure before the school run, not after the M25.
Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep RO80 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 RO80.

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

NSU notes

No special NSU exception: the RO80 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 NSU RO80 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.

Keep the NSU RO80 on the printed band; use 205/55R16 and 185/65R15 only as a map for non-OEM wheels.

Other NSU models

Prinz 1000 TTS 1000 Prinz Wankel-Spider Prinz 1000 TT TT Sport-Prinz

Questions about this RO80

Front versus rear on the NSU RO80?

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 NSU RO80?

No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The RO80 placard is the operating target, near 32-35/32-35 psi.

What PSI if I plus-size toward 185/65R15?

Keep load index at or above OEM. Low-profile sizes usually stay at or slightly above the placard. Use 205/55R16, 205/60R16 and 185/65R15 as a planning band.

When does TPMS warn on a NSU RO80?

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 RO80?

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