UK · EU reference Tyre Pressure

235/55R17 · SUV / crossover · PSI

What PSI for 235/55R17 tyres?

Size
235/55R17
Class
SUV / crossover
Planning PSI
35
Planning bar
2.41

psi

35

2.41 bar · 241 kPa · SUV / crossover planning figure

235/55R17 · 35 psi · 2.41 bar · 241 kPa — estimates. Placard wins.

PSI is the garage-hose number. For 235/55R17 a typical SUV / crossover planning figure is 35 psi cold — about 2.41 bar or 241 kPa. TPMS typically warns near 26 psi (about 25% below a 35 psi target). That is already a soft tyre.

Estimated 235/55R17 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 235/55R17.

ConditionFront (est.)Rear (est.)
Driver only / unladen35 psi / 2.41 bar / 241 kPa36 psi / 2.48 bar / 248 kPa
Typical occupancy36 psi / 2.48 bar / 248 kPa38 psi / 2.62 bar / 262 kPa
Motorway + luggage (sketch)37 psi / 2.55 bar / 255 kPa39 psi / 2.69 bar / 269 kPa

PSI, bar and kPa

Convert around the 235/55R17 band. 2.41 bar is about 35 psi — not 23, not 33 unless the maths says so.

PSIBarkPa
312.14214
322.21221
332.28228
342.34234
352.41241
362.48248
372.55255
382.62262
392.69269
402.76276
412.83283
422.90290
432.96296
443.03303
453.10310
463.17317
473.24324

What 235/55R17 means

Read 235/55R17 as width / aspect R rim. Nothing in the size string is a pressure. Pressure lives on the car, not moulded as 205 or 55.

Mid-size SUV 17-inch. Rim diameter 17 in; section 235 mm. Estimates on this page assume a typical load index for the SUV / crossover class.

Placard versus sidewall

This website maps size searches such as “235/55R17 psi”. It does not replace the VIN label. If the two disagree, the label wins.

Cars often seen on 235/55R17

These catalogue models are often seen on 235/55R17 or a close OEM neighbour. Open the vehicle chart for axle-specific PSI and bar.

How to set 235/55R17

  1. Measure before the school run, not after the motorway.
  2. Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep 235/55R17 numbers in your head.
  3. Add air in short bursts toward the placard, using 35 psi only as a map.
  4. If one 235/55R17 is 4 psi down, hunt for a nail before you blame the weather.
  5. Log date, ambient temperature and the four readings.

Temperature drift

Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 35 psi as a 20 °C baseline for 235/55R17.

AmbientGaugeBarkPaNote
−5 °C (hard frost)32 psi2.21 bar221 kPaGauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
0 °C33 psi2.28 bar228 kPaGauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
8 °C (UK winter morning)34 psi2.34 bar234 kPaGauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
20 °C (set cold here)35 psi2.41 bar241 kPaBaseline for this size sketch
30 °C37 psi2.55 bar255 kPaDo not bleed a hot 235/55R17
38 °C (heatwave tarmac)38 psi2.62 bar262 kPaDo not bleed a hot 235/55R17

If the door sticker and this 235/55R17 page disagree, the sticker wins.

Questions about 235/55R17

What PSI should 235/55R17 tyres be?

A SUV / crossover planning figure is about 35 psi cold (2.41 bar / 241 kPa). Confirm on the vehicle placard — two cars can share 235/55R17 and not share a sticker.

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.

When does TPMS warn on 235/55R17?

Direct TPMS typically flags about 25% below target — near 26 psi if you were aiming at 35. Fill to the sticker, not to the lamp.

Is the sidewall number correct for 235/55R17?

No. Sidewall PSI or kPa is a maximum for the carcass. Operating pressure is the door-pillar placard.

What is 235/55R17 in kPa?

241 kPa is the planning midpoint (100 kPa = 1 bar). 248 kPa is one PSI higher.

Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · cold inflation · all sizes