Oldtimer · AC · Rear
Oldtimer AC rear tyres: 32-35 psi / 2.2-2.4 bar
- 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 rear
34
2.31 bar · 231 kPa at the rear axle
32-35 psi F · 32-35 psi R · 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4 bar · 231/231 kPa
The rear of a passenger car takes passengers, luggage and, on vans, payload. Catalogue rear pressure on the Oldtimer AC is 32-35 psi / 2.2-2.4 bar. TPMS typically warns near 25 psi (about 25% below target). That is already a soft tyre, not a fill target.
Oldtimer AC placard versus sidewall
If the Oldtimer 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)
225/40R18 is the first planning size here. 205/55R16 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225/40R18 | — | 36 | — | 2.48 | — | 248 | Low-profile 18-inch |
| 205/60R16 | — | 34 | — | 2.34 | — | 234 | Taller 16-inch |
| 205/55R16 | — | 34 | — | 2.34 | — | 234 | Typical mid-compact OEM |
| 245/40R18 | — | 36 | — | 2.48 | — | 248 | Wide touring 18-inch |
| 195/65R15 | — | 34 | — | 2.34 | — | 234 | Very common compact |
| 225/45R17 | — | 35 | — | 2.41 | — | 241 | Sport 17-inch |
| 225/50R17 | — | 35 | — | 2.41 | — | 241 | Touring 17-inch |
| 185/65R15 | — | 33 | — | 2.28 | — | 228 | Small / older car |
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 |
A family passenger car with a boot full of luggage should use the laden rear figure if Ford, VW or Mercedes printed one. Otherwise the modest steps in the load table are only a sketch for this AC.
How to set the AC
- Measure before the school run, not after the M25.
- Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep AC 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.
PSI, bar and kPa
PSI-led conversions for the Oldtimer AC band (32-35 / 32-35).
| 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 |
Temperature drift
Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 34 psi as a 20 °C baseline for this AC.
| 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 |
Oldtimer notes
No special Oldtimer exception: the AC 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 Oldtimer AC 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 Oldtimer sticker and this page disagree, the sticker wins.
Other Oldtimer models
Questions about this AC
Front versus rear on the Oldtimer AC?
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 Oldtimer AC?
No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The AC placard is the operating target, near 32-35/32-35 psi.
What PSI if I plus-size toward 205/55R16?
Keep load index at or above OEM. Low-profile sizes usually stay at or slightly above the placard. Use 225/40R18, 205/60R16 and 205/55R16 as a planning band.
What tyre pressure should a Oldtimer AC 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.
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.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · front vs rear · cold inflation