BYD Dolphin Tyre Size and Pressure — Quick Reference by Trim
The short answer: the BYD Dolphin comes from the factory on 195/60 R16 or 205/50 R17 depending on trim, with cold pressures of 2.4 bar (35 psi) all round for normal load. Always check the door-pillar placard — it overrides general spec.
Factory tyre sizes by trim
| Trim | Wheel | Tyre size | Load | Speed |
|------|-------|-----------|------|-------|
| Active / Free / base | 16" steel | 195/60 R16 | 89 | H (210 km/h) |
| Boost / mid | 16" alloy | 195/60 R16 | 89 | H |
| Comfort / Design / top | 17" alloy | 205/50 R17 | 89 | V (240 km/h) |
Some LATAM/Middle East markets use 185/65 R15 on base versions, 215/45 R17 on special editions.
Recommended cold pressures
195/60 R16 (Active, Free, Boost)
| Load | Front | Rear |
|------|-------|------|
| Normal | 2.4 bar / 35 psi | 2.4 bar / 35 psi |
| Full load | 2.6 bar / 38 psi | 2.7 bar / 39 psi |
| Long motorway | 2.5 bar / 36 psi | 2.5 bar / 36 psi |
205/50 R17 (Comfort, Design)
| Load | Front | Rear |
|------|-------|------|
| Normal | 2.4 bar / 35 psi | 2.4 bar / 35 psi |
| Full load | 2.6 bar / 38 psi | 2.8 bar / 41 psi |
| Long motorway | 2.5 bar / 36 psi | 2.6 bar / 38 psi |
240 kPa = 2.4 bar = 35 psi.
Why rear pressure is higher under load
Dolphin has battery under the floor, motor in front. Unladen ~55/45 front/rear. Add four adults and luggage and rear weight increases dramatically. Extra 0.3-0.4 bar in rear prevents sidewall flex.
Summer vs winter
Factory tyres are summer or all-season. For CIS, Nordic, Russian or Canadian winters, dedicated winter set essential — regen braking overpowers summer compound on cold tarmac and triggers ABS far earlier than expected.
Winter tyre pressures: same as summer. But cold weather drops pressure ~0.1 bar per 10°C. A tyre set to 2.4 bar at 20°C reads ~2.1 bar at -10°C. Top up at start of each cold spell.
Winter size down-sizing
- From 17": down to 16" with 195/60 R16
- From 16": usually no further down without checking caliper clearance
Don't fit anything smaller than 16" without confirming caliper clearance.
When the placard is missing
After collision repairs or VIN tag relabels:
- VIN decode (third-party decoders)
- Owner's manual pressure table
- BYD dealer build sheet by VIN
- Default to the trim table above
A Dolphin at 1.8 bar wears tyre shoulders out by 15,000 km. At 3.2 bar wears the centre.
TPMS — what to know
Two variants:
- Indirect TPMS (base trims) — ABS wheel speed sensors. Reset manually: Settings → Vehicle → TPMS → Reset.
- Direct TPMS (Comfort/top) — pressure sensors in each valve. Self-calibrating.
TPMS warning that won't clear: slow puncture, failed sensor, or sensor not re-registered after wheel rotation.
Where to source
EV Crate stocks BYD Dolphin TPMS sensors, valve stems, wheel nuts. For tyres themselves, buy locally from a fitting workshop.
Browse BYD Dolphin spare parts for TPMS and wheel hardware. For other BYD models, see BYD Atto 3, BYD Seal, BYD Han or full BYD parts catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tyres does the BYD Dolphin use?
195/60 R16 (Active, Free, Boost) or 205/50 R17 (Comfort, Design).
What pressure should I run?
2.4 bar (35 psi) all round for normal load. Add 0.2-0.3 bar rear when fully loaded. Check cold.
Do I need different tyres for winter?
In sustained sub-5°C, yes. Summer compound hardens and loses grip below 7°C.
Why does my TPMS warning stay on after I inflated?
Most likely needs a manual reset for indirect TPMS. If returns after reset: slow puncture or failed sensor.
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Need TPMS sensors or wheel hardware? Browse BYD Dolphin spare parts at EV Crate. Worldwide shipping.