Oldtimer · DKW · Front
Oldtimer DKW front 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 front
34
2.31 bar · 231 kPa at the steering axle
32-35 psi F · 32-35 psi R · 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4 bar · 231/231 kPa
The front axle of a Oldtimer DKW steers and, on front-wheel drive cars, often pulls as well. Catalogue front pressure 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 DKW placard versus sidewall
Sidewall PSI is a carcass maximum. Recommended operating pressure for this DKW is the pillar sticker, near 34/34 psi.
Estimated pressure by tyre size (225/45R17 and others)
225/45R17 is the first planning size here. 215/55R16 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225/45R17 | 35 | — | 2.41 | — | 241 | — | Sport 17-inch |
| 215/50R17 | 35 | — | 2.41 | — | 241 | — | Plus-size 17-inch |
| 215/55R16 | 34 | — | 2.34 | — | 234 | — | Slightly wider 16-inch |
| 225/40R18 | 36 | — | 2.48 | — | 248 | — | Low-profile 18-inch |
| 185/65R15 | 33 | — | 2.28 | — | 228 | — | Small / older car |
| 205/60R16 | 34 | — | 2.34 | — | 234 | — | Taller 16-inch |
| 225/50R17 | 35 | — | 2.41 | — | 241 | — | Touring 17-inch |
| 245/40R18 | 36 | — | 2.48 | — | 248 | — | Wide touring 18-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 |
Steering feel on the DKW lives on this axle. Do not drop front pressure to “soften” a plus-size 215/55R16; you will roll the sidewall in a roundabout.
How to set the DKW
- Measure before the school run, not after the M25.
- Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep DKW 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 DKW 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 DKW.
| 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 DKW 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 DKW 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 DKW
Front versus rear on the Oldtimer DKW?
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.
What tyre pressure should a Oldtimer DKW 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.
What PSI if I plus-size toward 215/55R16?
Keep load index at or above OEM. Low-profile sizes usually stay at or slightly above the placard. Use 225/45R17, 215/50R17 and 215/55R16 as a planning band.
What is that in bar and kPa for the DKW?
Mid-points are about 2.31 bar (231 kPa) front and 2.31 bar (231 kPa) rear.
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