Close-up of a BYD Dolphin alloy wheel and tyre, illustrating the 16-inch and 17-inch tyre sizes and recommended pressure

BYD Dolphin Tyre Size and Pressure Guide (16 vs 17 Inch)

The BYD Dolphin comes with one of two tyre sizes depending on the variant. The Standard Range wears 195/60R16 tyres, while the Extended Range runs larger 205/50R17 tyres. Both variants use the same recommended pressure of 250 kPa, which is 36 psi or 2.5 bar, for all four tyres. Keeping to this pressure protects your range, tyre life, and safety.

BYD Dolphin Tyre Sizes at a Glance

Measurement Standard Range Extended Range
Tyre size 195/60R16 205/50R17
Wheel diameter 16 inch 17 inch
Recommended pressure 250 kPa 250 kPa
Pressure in psi 36 psi 36 psi
Pressure in bar 2.5 bar 2.5 bar
Applies to All four tyres All four tyres

What Tyre Size Does the BYD Dolphin Use?

Your Dolphin's tyre size depends entirely on which variant you own. The two are easy to tell apart once you know what to look for.

  • Standard Range: 195/60R16 tyres on 16-inch wheels
  • Extended Range: 205/50R17 tyres on 17-inch wheels

Both figures are confirmed in the Dolphin owner's manual. The Extended Range's wider, lower-profile tyre suits its extra performance, while the Standard Range's taller sidewall favours comfort and efficiency.

Reading Your Dolphin's Tyre Size

Those numbers on the sidewall are not random. Here is what each part means, using the Standard Range's 195/60R16 as the example.

  • 195: The tyre width in millimetres
  • 60: The aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 60 percent of the width
  • R: Radial construction, standard on all modern tyres
  • 16: The wheel diameter in inches

So the Extended Range's 205/50R17 is 10 mm wider, has a lower-profile 50 percent sidewall, and fits a one-inch-larger wheel. That is the entire difference in plain terms.

Correct BYD Dolphin Tyre Pressure

This is the part that matters most for everyday driving. Both variants use the same figure, which keeps things simple.

  • Recommended pressure: 250 kPa for every tyre
  • In psi: 36 psi
  • In bar: 2.5 bar
  • Front and rear: The same, front and back

The 250 kPa figure comes straight from the Dolphin's specifications. You will also find it on the tyre placard, usually located on the driver's door pillar. The same principle of a single all-round figure applies across the range, as our tyre pressure guide for the BYD Seal shows.

Why Correct Pressure Matters for Range

On an electric car, tyre pressure affects more than just safety. Under-inflated tyres create extra rolling resistance, which the motor has to work harder to overcome.

That directly costs you driving range. A set of soft tyres can noticeably shorten how far your Dolphin travels on a charge, so a two-minute pressure check is one of the easiest ways to protect your range.

  • Under-inflated: More rolling resistance, less range, faster edge wear
  • Over-inflated: A harsher ride, less grip, faster centre wear
  • Correct at 250 kPa: The best balance of range, grip, comfort, and even wear

Understanding the Dolphin's TPMS Warnings

The Dolphin has a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System that shows live pressures on the instrument cluster. Knowing what its colours mean saves unnecessary worry.

  • Green (180 to 320 kPa): The normal operating band shown on the display
  • Yellow value: Pressure is drifting toward a limit and needs attention
  • Warning light plus "---": A system fault or lost signal, not necessarily a flat tyre

These thresholds are documented in the owner's manual. Note that 250 kPa sits comfortably in the middle of the green band, which is exactly where you want it.

When to Check and Adjust

Good habits here pay off in range and tyre life. None of it takes long.

  • Check monthly: Tyres lose pressure naturally over time
  • Check when cold: Measure before driving, or at least three hours after, for an accurate reading
  • Check before long trips: Especially if carrying passengers or luggage
  • Re-match after wheel work: The TPMS may need re-matching after a rotation or tyre change, so the positions read correctly

A cheap tyre inflator kept in the boot makes topping up at home simple, and lets you correct pressures without a trip to the servo.

Infographic showing BYD Dolphin tyre sizes 195/60R16 and 205/50R17, 250 kPa pressure, and a tyre code decoder

Rotating and Replacing Dolphin Tyres

Looking after the set you have keeps costs down and range up.

  • Rotation: The manual recommends rotating tyres every 10,000 km for even wear
  • Replacement size: Always replace with the same size your variant came with, 195/60R16 or 205/50R17
  • Matching: Replace tyres in pairs or sets where possible for balanced grip
  • Load and speed rating: Match or exceed the original rating on the sidewall

Fitting a different size can affect your speedometer accuracy, range readings, and even the TPMS, so stick with the factory specification. If you also run an Atto 3, our tyre size chart for the Atto 3 covers its specifications too.

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