215/70R16 · SUV / crossover · Bar
215/70R16 tyre pressure in bar
- Size
- 215/70R16
- Class
- SUV / crossover
- Planning PSI
- 33
- Planning bar
- 2.28
bar
2.28
33 psi · 228 kPa · not a second factory sticker
215/70R16 · 33 psi · 2.28 bar · 228 kPa — estimates. Placard wins.
A 215/70R16 C-type or LT carcass can live far above a hatchback bar figure. This page’s 2.28 bar sketch is for the SUV / crossover class, not every car that can physically mount the tyre. Under-inflation cooks the shoulders of a 215/70R16; over-inflation wears the centre rib and bangs every cat’s eye.
Bar, PSI and kPa
Convert around the 215/70R16 band. 2.28 bar is about 33 psi — not 23, not 33 unless the maths says so.
| Bar | PSI | kPa |
|---|---|---|
| 2.00 | 29 | 200 |
| 2.07 | 30 | 207 |
| 2.14 | 31 | 214 |
| 2.21 | 32 | 221 |
| 2.28 | 33 | 228 |
| 2.34 | 34 | 234 |
| 2.41 | 35 | 241 |
| 2.48 | 36 | 248 |
| 2.55 | 37 | 255 |
| 2.62 | 38 | 262 |
| 2.69 | 39 | 269 |
| 2.76 | 40 | 276 |
| 2.83 | 41 | 283 |
| 2.90 | 42 | 290 |
| 2.96 | 43 | 296 |
| 3.03 | 44 | 303 |
| 3.10 | 45 | 310 |
Estimated 215/70R16 pressure by load
Load moves the rear first on a SUV / crossover. If the factory placard already has a laden column, use that — not this sketch for 215/70R16.
| Condition | Front (est.) | Rear (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver only / unladen | 33 psi / 2.28 bar / 228 kPa | 34 psi / 2.34 bar / 234 kPa |
| Typical occupancy | 34 psi / 2.34 bar / 234 kPa | 36 psi / 2.48 bar / 248 kPa |
| Motorway + luggage (sketch) | 35 psi / 2.41 bar / 241 kPa | 37 psi / 2.55 bar / 255 kPa |
Placard versus sidewall
This website maps size searches such as “215/70R16 psi”. It does not replace the VIN label. If the two disagree, the label wins.
What 215/70R16 means
A 215/70R16 on a SUV / crossover is a geometry. Two cars can share the size and disagree on PSI because mass and axle split differ.
Taller compact SUV. Rim diameter 16 in; section 215 mm. Estimates on this page assume a typical load index for the SUV / crossover class.
Cars often seen on 215/70R16
These catalogue models are often seen on 215/70R16 or a close OEM neighbour. Open the vehicle chart for axle-specific PSI and bar.
How to set 215/70R16
- Measure before the school run, not after the motorway.
- Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep 215/70R16 numbers in your head.
- Add air in short bursts toward the placard, using 33 psi only as a map.
- If one 215/70R16 is 4 psi down, hunt for a nail before you blame the weather.
- Log date, ambient temperature and the four readings.
Temperature drift
Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 33 psi as a 20 °C baseline for 215/70R16.
| Ambient | Gauge | Bar | kPa | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| −5 °C (hard frost) | 30 psi | 2.07 bar | 207 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 0 °C | 31 psi | 2.14 bar | 214 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 8 °C (UK winter morning) | 32 psi | 2.21 bar | 221 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 20 °C (set cold here) | 33 psi | 2.28 bar | 228 kPa | Baseline for this size sketch |
| 30 °C | 35 psi | 2.41 bar | 241 kPa | Do not bleed a hot 215/70R16 |
| 38 °C (heatwave tarmac) | 36 psi | 2.48 bar | 248 kPa | Do not bleed a hot 215/70R16 |
If the door sticker and this 215/70R16 page disagree, the sticker wins.
Questions about 215/70R16
What PSI should 215/70R16 tyres be?
A SUV / crossover planning figure is about 33 psi cold (2.28 bar / 228 kPa). Confirm on the vehicle placard — two cars can share 215/70R16 and not share a sticker.
Is 215/70R16 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 is 215/70R16 in bar?
33 psi is 2.28 bar. Add a tenth of a bar if the placard’s laden column is higher, which is common on vans that wear this size.
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.
Is the sidewall number correct for 215/70R16?
No. Sidewall PSI or kPa is a maximum for the carcass. Operating pressure is the door-pillar placard.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · cold inflation · all sizes