Citroen DS Tire Pressures

• Tire pressure for a Citroen DS ranges from 24-29 PSI depending on the specific model, the type of tires that you decide to fit, and pressure differences for front and rear tires.
• To find the ideal tire pressures for your car's year, model, and chosen tires follow the link to our Tire Pressure Guide.

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• The Citroen DS originally fitted 165 SR 400 Michelin X front tires and 155 SR 400 Michelin X rear tires.
• To find out more information on Citroen DS tires follow the link to our Citroen DS Tire Section.

Citroen DS19 Tires

From 1955 until 1965, the original Citroen DS19 was equipped with 165 SR 400 Michelin X front tires and 155 SR 400 Michelin X rear tires. From 1965 to 1969, the DS19 was supplied with 180 HR 15 Michelin XAS front tires and 155 HR 15 Michelin XAS rear tires.

Tires for Citroen ID19

The Citroen ID19 tires were interchangeable with the DS19 tires.

Tires for Citroen DS21

Citroen DS21 tires Citroen D Super and D Special used 180 HR 15 Michelin XAS front tires and 165-15 Michelin XAS rear tires. The front tires on the Citroen DS21 were 180 HR 15 Michelin XAS, while the rear tires were 165-15 Michelin XAS.

Citroen DS Pallas Tires

The DS Pallas used 180 HR 15 Michelin XAS front and 165 HR 15 Michelin XAS rear tires until 1973, when it switched to 185 HR 15 Michelin XVS-P all-around tires. Until 1965, all Citroen DS cars used 165R400 Michelin X tires mounted on centre lock wheels. These are unique 400mm wheels that can only accommodate 400mm tires. You can't put 16" tires on these wheels. It is unsafe, and your insurance may be jeopardised.

Citroen used 5" J X 15" wheels from 1965 to 1975. These wheels have a circular hole in the centre, which is how you know these are 5" J. In the United Kingdom, these vehicles were outfitted with 180 HR 15 Michelin XAS tires. Some versions in other countries would have 155HR15 Michelin XAS and 165HR15 Michelin XAS tires on the rear.

This is an oddity with the Citroen DS of the period, and the best alternative is to install the 180 HR 15 Michelin XAS on the front and rear. The 5.5"J wheels were added to several later Citroen DS models, including the DS21 Injection and DS23 Injection (with a square hole in the middle). Instead of the 180 HR 15 Michelin XAS, these automobiles had 185 HR 15 Michelin XAS tires, which are not currently in production. Michelin manufactures a 185 HR 15 Michelin XVS-P tire that could be fitted to these vehicles.

Once again we would recommend the 180 HR 15 Michelin XAS as it is designed for cars with a chassis like the DS, whereas the XVS is designed for a newer generation of cars. The XVS has squarer shoulders and will offer better straight line acceleration and braking than the XAS, however the XAS will handle better and compliment the DS chassis more than any more modern tire.

Citroen DS Whitewall Tires

Fortunately for the fashion conscious motoring enthusiast, there are good quality whitewall tires available for the DS. It is often the case that whitewall tires are of a lower quality, as they are commonly fitted to wedding vehicles and museum pieces. For the DS however, Michelin have created a whitewall version of their fantastic 165SR400 X, allowing for the iconic whitewall tire to be worn without compromising the drive! Whitewalls can also be installed on the 180 HR 15 Michelin XAS and the 185 HR 15 Michelin XVS-P.

Best Citroen DS Tires

One thing is unmistakable. Because the Citroen DS needs asymmetric tires to move in a straight line on existing roads, Michelin and Citroen collaborated to develop asymmetric tires (such as XAS and XVS-P). When dual carriageways and large motorways were built, Michelin and Citroen wanted to improve the DS's directional stability, which they did by employing asymmetric tires. Anything else than asymmetric tires will impair the handling of a DS.

At Longstone we have rescued numerous cars from this error and we have loved seeing the relief that Citroen DS owners have exhibited when their cars have been greatly improved by placing them back on the right tire technology. There is no question that this is an outstanding tire, however others argue that because the 185 HR 15 Michelin XVS-P has squarer shoulders, it is not suitable for the Citroen DS suspension while cornering hard. The equal length wishbone suspension is supposed to keep the tire parallel to the side of the automobile.

As a result, as the car leans into a corner, the inner edge of the XVS-P rises, but the rounded shoulders of the XAS are better suited to this suspension setup. However, there is a whole other school of thinking that thinks the 185HR15 Michelin XVS-P is the best tire for a Citroen DS. In Europe, the 185 HR 15 XVS-P is frequently listed as a preferred tire, and Michelin recommends it.

The Citroen DS 19 was unveiled to a stunned audience at the 1955 Paris Motor Show after ten years of covert development and numerous concepts tried on the Traction Avant. The Citroen DS offered a slew of technological innovations, much like the Traction Avant before it. The high-pressure hydraulic system, which was used to activate the clutch, gearchange, brakes, steering, and, of course, the hydro-pneumatic suspension system, was the most innovative of these (as seen earlier on the Citroen 15-Six-H Traction Avant).

The incredible suspension system enabled the car to be raised or lowered by 6 inches, which meant you didn't need a jack to change a tire; merely elevate your Citroen DS, insert the support, and then descend the car, leaving one side dangling in the air! It was even conceivable to drive the automobile on only three wheels (although not many people tried it).

The Citroen DS's style was arguably its most contentious element. Some have referred to it as "space-age," despite the fact that it was written six years before man explored space! It's a design that you either adore or despise, with little to no in-between. The Citroen DS had its first significant makeover in 1968, with four headlamps hidden beneath plastic covers. The inner set of headlights swivelled with the steering wheel (a feature Mercedes just recently added 38 years later!). while the outer pair was connected to the suspension to keep the beam level.

Also in 1968, the Citroen DS21 (introduced in 1965) and the Citroen DS19 acquired greater power and had their names altered, the DS19 becoming the DS20 and the ID's becoming the D spécial if fitted with the original engine. The new DS20 engine was installed in the D Super. When the 2.3-litre engine was added to the Citroen DS21 in 1972, it became the DS23, and the D Super was made available with the DS21 engine and 5-speed gearbox.

These included the 7 or 9 seater Safari (or Break), The Prestige (with a glass panel between Chauffeur and owner) and Decapotable (convertible) both made by Henri Chapron and the Pallas with leather trim and superior external finish. The Citroen DS made a formidable rally car and also gave birth to the remarkable Maserati powered Citroën SM. On the 24th April 1975 production of the Citroen DS ceased after selling 1,455,746 units.