215/55R16 · passenger car · PSI
215/55R16 tyre pressure in PSI
- Size
- 215/55R16
- Class
- passenger car
- Planning PSI
- 34
- Planning bar
- 2.34
psi
34
2.34 bar · 234 kPa · passenger car planning figure
215/55R16 · 34 psi · 2.34 bar · 234 kPa — estimates. Placard wins.
If someone typed “215/55R16 psi”, they want Imperial. Start near 34 psi on an unladen passenger car, then confirm the vehicle placard. Sidewall max is not the target. A 10 °C overnight drop takes roughly 1 psi (0.07 bar) off a closed 215/55R16.
Estimated 215/55R16 pressure by load
Plus-sizing to 215/55R16 from a taller OEM tyre usually keeps the same placard if the load index is equal or higher.
| Condition | Front (est.) | Rear (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver only / unladen | 34 psi / 2.34 bar / 234 kPa | 34 psi / 2.34 bar / 234 kPa |
| Typical occupancy | 35 psi / 2.41 bar / 241 kPa | 36 psi / 2.48 bar / 248 kPa |
| Motorway + luggage (sketch) | 36 psi / 2.48 bar / 248 kPa | 37 psi / 2.55 bar / 255 kPa |
PSI, bar and kPa
Use the table, then set a cold gauge. 234 kPa is 100 × 2.34 bar on this size.
| PSI | Bar | kPa |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 2.07 | 207 |
| 31 | 2.14 | 214 |
| 32 | 2.21 | 221 |
| 33 | 2.28 | 228 |
| 34 | 2.34 | 234 |
| 35 | 2.41 | 241 |
| 36 | 2.48 | 248 |
| 37 | 2.55 | 255 |
| 38 | 2.62 | 262 |
| 39 | 2.69 | 269 |
| 40 | 2.76 | 276 |
| 41 | 2.83 | 283 |
| 42 | 2.90 | 290 |
| 43 | 2.96 | 296 |
| 44 | 3.03 | 303 |
| 45 | 3.10 | 310 |
| 46 | 3.17 | 317 |
What 215/55R16 means
A 215/55R16 on a passenger car is a geometry. Two cars can share the size and disagree on PSI because mass and axle split differ.
Slightly wider 16-inch OEM. Rim diameter 16 in; section 215 mm. Estimates on this page assume a typical load index for the passenger car class.
Placard versus sidewall
If a forum says “all 215/55R16 run 34 psi”, ignore it. A Qashqai and a Golf can share a size and not share a sticker.
Cars often seen on 215/55R16
These catalogue models are often seen on 215/55R16 or a close OEM neighbour. Open the vehicle chart for axle-specific PSI and bar.
How to set 215/55R16
- Park so the 215/55R16 tyres are cold (three hours, or less than about a mile).
- Read the door-pillar placard for that car — not the 215/55R16 sidewall maximum.
- If the sticker is missing, 34 psi / 2.34 bar is only a passenger car planning figure for this size.
- Set all four with a calibrated gauge. A 3 psi miss on one corner shows up as a wander.
- Refit valve caps and reset TPMS if the handbook asks for a relearn.
Temperature drift
Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 34 psi as a 20 °C baseline for 215/55R16.
| Ambient | Gauge | 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 for this size sketch |
| 30 °C | 36 psi | 2.48 bar | 248 kPa | Do not bleed a hot 215/55R16 |
| 38 °C (heatwave tarmac) | 37 psi | 2.55 bar | 255 kPa | Do not bleed a hot 215/55R16 |
A cheap gauge and a monthly habit will do more for a set of 215/55R16 than nitrogen upsells.
Questions about 215/55R16
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.
What is 215/55R16 in kPa?
234 kPa is the planning midpoint (100 kPa = 1 bar). 241 kPa is one PSI higher.
What is 215/55R16 in bar?
34 psi is 2.34 bar. Add a tenth of a bar if the placard’s laden column is higher, which is common on vans that wear this size.
Is 215/55R16 the same as a plus-size swap?
Only if that is the size you fitted. Overall diameter should stay close to OEM. Pressure still follows the car, with load index at or above original.
What PSI should 215/55R16 tyres be?
A passenger car planning figure is about 34 psi cold (2.34 bar / 234 kPa). Confirm on the vehicle placard — two cars can share 215/55R16 and not share a sticker.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · cold inflation · all sizes