Oldtimer · Lotus · Bar

Oldtimer Lotus tyre pressure in 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

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

A front-wheel drive Oldtimer Lotus still wants even corners. 2.2-2.4 vs 2.2-2.4 is an axle split, not a left-right split. TPMS typically warns near 25 psi (about 25% below target). That is already a soft tyre, not a fill target.

Bar, PSI and kPa

Bar-led conversions around the Oldtimer Lotus. 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

Oldtimer Lotus 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 (215/55R16 and others)

215/55R16 is the first planning size here. 225/40R18 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
215/55R16	34	35	2.34	2.41	234	241	Slightly wider 16-inch
245/40R18	36	36	2.48	2.48	248	248	Wide touring 18-inch
225/40R18	36	36	2.48	2.48	248	248	Low-profile 18-inch
195/65R15	34	34	2.34	2.34	234	234	Very common compact
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
185/65R15	33	33	2.28	2.28	228	228	Small / older car
205/55R16	34	34	2.34	2.34	234	234	Typical mid-compact OEM

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	36 psi / 2.48 bar

How to set the Lotus

Park the Oldtimer Lotus 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 Lotus is enough to feel a pull.
Refit valve caps and reset TPMS if the handbook asks for a relearn.

Temperature drift

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

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 Lotus 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 Lotus 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

AC Aries AMC Aurora Auto Union American Alfa Romeo Barkas

Questions about this Lotus

What tyre pressure should a Oldtimer Lotus 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.

How often should I check a Lotus?

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

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.

Is the sidewall number correct on a Oldtimer Lotus?

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

What PSI if I plus-size toward 225/40R18?

Keep load index at or above OEM. Low-profile sizes usually stay at or slightly above the placard. Use 215/55R16, 245/40R18 and 225/40R18 as a planning band.

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