UK · EU reference Tyre Pressure

235/65R16C · C-type van · PSI

235/65R16C tyre pressure in PSI

Size
235/65R16C
Class
C-type van
Planning PSI
46
Planning bar
3.17

psi

46

3.17 bar · 317 kPa · C-type van planning figure

235/65R16C · 46 psi · 3.17 bar · 317 kPa — estimates. Placard wins.

PSI is the garage-hose number. For 235/65R16C a typical C-type van planning figure is 46 psi cold — about 3.17 bar or 317 kPa. TPMS typically warns near 35 psi (about 25% below a 46 psi target). That is already a soft tyre. C-type van tyres (the trailing C) are built for load. Copying a Golf’s 2.3 bar onto a {sz} Transit is how you cook a shoulder on the A1.

Estimated 235/65R16C pressure by load

Plus-sizing to 235/65R16C from a taller OEM tyre usually keeps the same placard if the load index is equal or higher.

ConditionFront (est.)Rear (est.)
Driver only / unladen46 psi / 3.17 bar / 317 kPa50 psi / 3.45 bar / 345 kPa
Typical occupancy46 psi / 3.17 bar / 317 kPa51 psi / 3.52 bar / 352 kPa
Payload / towing (sketch)47 psi / 3.24 bar / 324 kPa56 psi / 3.86 bar / 386 kPa

PSI, bar and kPa

1 bar ≈ 14.5 psi; 1 psi ≈ 6.89 kPa. Planning midpoint for 235/65R16C: 46 psi = 3.17 bar = 317 kPa.

PSIBarkPa
422.90290
432.96296
443.03303
453.10310
463.17317
473.24324
483.31331
493.38338
503.45345
513.52352
523.59359
533.65365
543.72372
553.79379
563.86386
573.93393
584.00400
604.14414
654.48448
805.52552

What 235/65R16C means

235/65R16C means a 235 millimetre section width, a sidewall that is 65 percent of that width, on a 16-inch rim. The R is radial construction.

Loaded large van. Rim diameter 16 in; section 235 mm. Estimates on this page assume a typical load index for the C-type van class.

Placard versus sidewall

This website maps size searches such as “235/65R16C psi”. It does not replace the VIN label. If the two disagree, the label wins.

Cars often seen on 235/65R16C

These catalogue models are often seen on 235/65R16C or a close OEM neighbour. Open the vehicle chart for axle-specific PSI and bar.

How to set 235/65R16C

  1. Measure before the school run, not after the motorway.
  2. Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep 235/65R16C numbers in your head.
  3. Add air in short bursts toward the placard, using 46 psi only as a map.
  4. If one 235/65R16C 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 46 psi as a 20 °C baseline for 235/65R16C.

AmbientGaugeBarkPaNote
−5 °C (hard frost)43 psi2.96 bar296 kPaGauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
0 °C44 psi3.03 bar303 kPaGauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
8 °C (UK winter morning)45 psi3.1 bar310 kPaGauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
20 °C (set cold here)46 psi3.17 bar317 kPaBaseline for this size sketch
30 °C48 psi3.31 bar331 kPaDo not bleed a hot 235/65R16C
38 °C (heatwave tarmac)49 psi3.38 bar338 kPaDo not bleed a hot 235/65R16C

If the door sticker and this 235/65R16C page disagree, the sticker wins.

Questions about 235/65R16C

Is 235/65R16C 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.

Is the sidewall number correct for 235/65R16C?

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

What is 235/65R16C in bar?

46 psi is 3.17 bar. Add a tenth of a bar if the placard’s laden column is higher, which is common on vans that wear this size.

What PSI should 235/65R16C tyres be?

A C-type van planning figure is about 46 psi cold (3.17 bar / 317 kPa). Confirm on the vehicle placard — two cars can share 235/65R16C 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.

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