Reliant · Kitten · Rear
Reliant Kitten 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
Loaded Kitten rears often need the sticker’s second column, not a copy of the front 32-35 psi figure. A 10 °C overnight drop takes roughly 1 psi (0.07 bar) off a closed Reliant tyre.
Reliant Kitten placard versus sidewall
If the Reliant sticker is painted over, the handbook is next. This website is a map, not a replacement VIN label.
Estimated pressure by tyre size (225/45R17 and others)
225/45R17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225/45R17 | — | 35 | — | 2.41 | — | 241 | Sport 17-inch |
| 245/40R18 | — | 36 | — | 2.48 | — | 248 | Wide touring 18-inch |
| 225/40R18 | — | 36 | — | 2.48 | — | 248 | Low-profile 18-inch |
| 195/65R15 | — | 34 | — | 2.34 | — | 234 | Very common compact |
| 185/65R15 | — | 33 | — | 2.28 | — | 228 | Small / older car |
| 205/60R16 | — | 34 | — | 2.34 | — | 234 | Taller 16-inch |
| 205/55R16 | — | 34 | — | 2.34 | — | 234 | Typical mid-compact OEM |
| 215/55R16 | — | 35 | — | 2.41 | — | 241 | Slightly wider 16-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 |
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 Kitten.
How to set the Kitten
- Measure before the school run, not after the M25.
- Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep Kitten 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 Reliant Kitten 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 Kitten.
| 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 |
Reliant notes
No special Reliant exception: the Kitten 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 Reliant Kitten 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 Reliant sticker and this page disagree, the sticker wins.
Other Reliant models
Questions about this Kitten
Front versus rear on the Reliant Kitten?
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 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 225/45R17, 245/40R18 and 225/40R18 as a planning band.
What tyre pressure should a Reliant Kitten 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.
Is the sidewall number correct on a Reliant Kitten?
No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The Kitten placard is the operating target, near 32-35/32-35 psi.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · front vs rear · cold inflation