Volkswagen Golf Tire Pressures

• The ideal Volkswagen Golf tire pressures range dramatically from 25/44 PSI PSI depending on model and tire size.
• To find the ideal tire pressures to match your car's year, model, and chosen tires follow the link to our VW Golf Tire Pressure Guides.

• Our recommendation for 1.1 Litre and 1.5 Diesel Mk1 Volkswagen Golf tires is the 145HR13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
• For the mid range 1.3 and 1.5 MK1 Golf tires we recommend 155HR13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
• MK1 VW Golf GTi tires and top of the range Golf with 5.5” wheels VW fitted the 175/70VR13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.
• We would suggest that many MK1 Golf weather the GTi or a base model will have wider wheels these days and the 175/70VR13 CN36 will suit them best.

• The majority of Mk2 VW Golfs from 1984 we again recommend the 175/70VR13 CN36.
• Our mk2 VW Golf GTi tires are the 185/60VR14 Michelin Pilot Exalto as the MK2 Golf GTi had 14” wheels from 1985.
• The Series 3 Volkswagen Golf of 1992 started to fit a greater variety of 14” and 15” wheels and tires.
• Michelin make 185/60VR14 and 195/50VR15 Pilot Exalto and 195/60VR14 MXV-3 to suit the majority of mk3 Golf with suitable carcass structures.
• MK3 Golf GTi tires we recommend the 205/50VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7. These are also our GOLF VR6 tire recommendations.
• To see more information on Volkswagen Golf tires follow the link to our Volkswagen Golf Tire Section.
• You can also see a range of period VW Golf Tire Pressure Guides from tire manufacturers to check your precise model of Golf.

Volkswagen Golf MK1 Tires (1974–1983)

The initial models of the MK1 Volkswagen Golf, including the Golf 1.1 L, N, C, CL, GL, Formel 'E,' and the 1.5 LD Diesel variants, came equipped with 145R13, 155R13, or 175/70R13 tires.

The early Golf featured 145R13 tires, and we recommend considering options such as the 145HR13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 or the 145 HR 13 Michelin XAS FF for replacement.

The Golf 1.3 LS, GLS, C CL & GL, Golf 1.5 LS, GLS, S, C, CL, GL, and the 1.6 LS and Diesel C were equipped with 155R13 and 175/70R13 tires. For these MK1 Golf models with 155-13 tires, we suggest selecting a set of 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 or 155 HR 13 Michelin XAS FF tires.

MK1 VW Golf GTi Tires

The MK1 Golf GTi (Grand Tourisme Injection) and GLi (Grand Luxe Injection), including both the 1.6 and 1.8 models, as well as the MK1 Golf Turbo Diesel (1976), came fitted with 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 tires. A Golf GTi displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show, riding on PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 tires, suggests that these were the preferred tires of that era.

For all MK1 Golfs with 5.5"X13" wheels, we still recommend the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 as the optimal choice since the CN36 was the tire originally installed by Volkswagen.

The recommended innertubes for these tires are as follows: Michelin 13CG for 145R13 tires, Michelin 13D for 155R13 tires, and Michelin 13E for 175/70R13 tires. However, for wheels with tubeless setups (which were likely introduced from 1976 onwards, although records for 1974-75 Golf wheels are unavailable), innertubes are unnecessary as long as the wheel rims remain airtight.

It's worth noting that Michelin TRX options in sizes 180/65R340 or 190/55R365 are no longer in production.

Second-Generation VW Golf MK2 Tires (1984–1992)

The early 1.3 C Golf MK2 continued to sport 155R13 tires. We recommend considering the 155HR13 Michelin XAS as a suitable replacement. The 1.6 and base 1.8 MK2 Golfs initially retained the 175/70R13 tire size, and we still propose the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 as an optimal choice for these vehicles.

In January 1984, a second-generation Jetta based on the MK2 platform made its debut. Notably, there was no convertible variant derived from the MK2; instead, the MK1 Cabriolet continued to be available alongside the MK2 throughout its production run.

The MK2 Golf GTi was introduced in 1985, and many of the sportier models, including the Golf GTi Convertible and Golf GTi 16v, were fitted with 14” wheels paired with 185/60 VR 14 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 tires from 1985 onwards. It's important to note that tires with a profile below 70% (e.g., 185/60 VR 14 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2) should not be used with innertubes.

Given that several classic VW models, such as the Jetta and the Scirocco, as well as the majority of MK2 and MK3 Golfs, utilize this tire size, we are delighted to offer the 185/60 VR 14 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 tire for these vehicles.

The Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 is a high-quality tire that significantly enhances the performance of sporty youngtimer cars like the GTi Golf, as well as other iconic hot hatches like the Ford Fiesta XR2 or Renault 5 Turbo. Its advanced design technology delivers impressive road grip during cornering, thanks to its competition-inspired compound and Variable Contact Patch, which maximizes tread contact with the road surface as cornering forces increase.

Classic VW Golf MK3 Tires (1992–1998)

As we delve into the era of "modern classic cars," selecting the appropriate tires becomes a more intricate endeavour, considering that tire choices were part of the car selection process during this period.

For most MK3 Golf models, we recommend considering options like the 185/60 VR 14 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2, the 195/60 VR 14 Michelin MXV3-A, or the 195/50 VR 15 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2. It's worth noting that we're fortunate to have Michelin producing the PE2 and MXV3 lines of tires tailored for modern classics.

The top-tier MK3 Golf variants, such as the 2.0 Golf GTi 16v and the 2.8 VR6, came equipped with 15” wheels, for which we recommend fitting the 205/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.

See the fitment guides below to find your cars exact year and subvariant.

Golf GTi Tires (1976–)

Starting in 1976, both iterations of the VW Golf GTi, namely the 1.6 GTi and the 1.8-litre GTi, were equipped with 5.5” X13 wheels, which are ideally paired with 175/70R13 tires. The best tire in this size is the 175/70VR13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 tires.

The MK2 Golf GTi 16-valve made its debut in 1985. Both the MK2 Golf GTi 16v and the GTi Cabriolet were fitted with 185/60R14 Michelin tires. Presently, Michelin offers the 185/60R14 Pilot Exalto PE2, which serves as an excellent choice for a MK2 Golf GTi.

Starting in 1993, the MK3 Golf GTi and the 1994 Golf VR6 version of the GTi benefit from 205/50R15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 tires.

VW Golf History

The Volkswagen Golf, a compact car/small family car produced by Volkswagen since 1974, has become one of the most successful and enduring models in the automotive world. The Golf was introduced as a modern, front-wheel-drive vehicle that would serve as a long-range replacement for the iconic, rear-engined Volkswagen Beetle. The first-generation Golf (Mk1), which debuted in 1974, set a new direction for Volkswagen with a water-cooled engine and front-wheel-drive layout, offering improved handling and interior space compared to its predecessor​​.

The Mk1 also spawned the first Golf GTI, a performance model introduced in June 1976, marking the birth of the hot hatch segment with a fuel-injected 1.6-litre engine. The Golf Mk1 was marketed in various regions under different names, including the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada, and the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico​​.

The second-generation Golf (Mk2), which arrived in 1983, grew slightly in size and continued the model's reputation for quality and reliability. This generation included the Mk2 GTI, which featured a 1.8-litre 8-valve engine and later a 16-valve version, improving performance significantly​​.

By the time the third-generation Golf (Mk3) was introduced in 1991, the model had again grown in size and offered new engine options, including a Turbocharged Direct Injection diesel and a 2.8-litre VR6 engine. The Mk3 continued the evolution of the Golf with improved safety features, more refined interiors, and better fuel efficiency. It also introduced the Golf estate (variant), expanding the model's appeal to families and those needing extra space​​.

The Golf Mk3 was named European Car of the Year in 1992, affirming its status as a leader in the compact car segment​​. It was available in various configurations, including a special edition "Mi" in Mexico, featuring additional amenities such as air conditioning and heated seats​​.

The Golf Mk4, introduced in 1997, represented a significant redesign with a focus on upscale styling and improved build quality. Although it was released after the period of interest that concludes in 1998, it's worth mentioning that it continued the legacy of the Golf series, which was known for setting trends in the automotive industry and maintaining a strong global presence​​.

Throughout its first three generations, the Volkswagen Golf became a benchmark for compact cars, offering a balance of performance, comfort, and practicality. It helped establish Volkswagen as a major player in the global automotive market and laid the foundation for future innovations. The Golf's wide-reaching impact includes influencing other manufacturers to create similar models, contributing to the development of new vehicle segments, and cultivating a loyal customer base that spans decades. With more than 35 million units sold by 2019, the Golf stands as a testament to Volkswagen's engineering prowess and understanding of market demands​​.