Ford · Explorer · Overview
Tyre pressure chart for the Ford Explorer
- Drivetrain
- front-wheel drive
- Body
- SUV / crossover
- PSI F / R
- 32-35 / 32-35
- Bar F / R
- 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4
psi
34 / 34
Catalogue mid-points, front / rear · 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4 bar
32-35 psi F · 32-35 psi R · 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4 bar · 231/231 kPa
On a Ford Explorer the useful pair is 34 psi (2.31 bar) up front and 34 psi (2.31 bar) at the back, mid-range. Size estimates on this page include 245/60R18, 245/55R19 and 235/65R17 — interpolated from the catalogue midpoint, not a second factory sticker.
Estimated pressure by tyre size (245/60R18 and others)
Planning cold pressures for sizes often seen on a SUV / crossover. This Explorer sample opens with 245/60R18, then 245/55R19 and 235/65R17.
| Tyre size | Front PSI | Rear PSI | Front bar | Rear bar | Front kPa | Rear kPa | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 245/60R18 | 36 | 37 | 2.48 | 2.55 | 248 | 255 | Heavier CUV |
| 245/55R19 | 36 | 36 | 2.48 | 2.48 | 248 | 248 | Low-profile 19-inch |
| 235/65R17 | 35 | 36 | 2.41 | 2.48 | 241 | 248 | Mid-size SUV |
| 215/70R16 | 34 | 34 | 2.34 | 2.34 | 234 | 234 | Compact crossover |
| 235/60R18 | 36 | 36 | 2.48 | 2.48 | 248 | 248 | Plus-size 18-inch |
| 255/50R20 | 37 | 37 | 2.55 | 2.55 | 255 | 255 | 20-inch plus-size |
| 225/60R18 | 35 | 35 | 2.41 | 2.41 | 241 | 241 | Highway CUV |
| 225/65R17 | 35 | 35 | 2.41 | 2.41 | 241 | 241 | Very common 17-inch |
Ford Explorer placard versus sidewall
The tyre-information placard on a Ford Explorer sits on the driver’s door pillar (sometimes the fuel-filler flap). Catalogue figures here are a general band: 32-35 / 32-35 psi.
Pressure against load
Load moves the rear of a SUV / crossover first. If the factory placard already has a “laden” column, use that instead of these sketches.
| Condition | Front (est.) | Rear (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver only | 34 psi / 2.34 bar | 34 psi / 2.34 bar |
| Full occupancy | 35 psi / 2.41 bar | 36 psi / 2.48 bar |
| Motorway + luggage | 36 psi / 2.48 bar | 37 psi / 2.55 bar |
How to set the Explorer
- Park the Ford Explorer for at least three hours (cold tyres).
- Use a calibrated gauge, not the only meter on a forecourt hose.
- Set the placard for that axle — about 32-35 psi / 2.2-2.4 bar front and 32-35 psi / 2.2-2.4 bar rear on this catalogue row.
- Recheck all four. A 2 psi miss on a front-wheel drive Explorer is enough to feel a pull.
- Refit valve caps and reset TPMS if the handbook asks for a relearn.
PSI, bar and kPa
1 bar ≈ 14.5 psi; 1 psi ≈ 6.89 kPa. Mid-points on the Explorer: 34 psi = 2.31 bar = 231 kPa.
| PSI | Bar | kPa |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 2.07 | 207 |
| 32 | 2.21 | 221 |
| 33 | 2.28 | 228 |
| 33.5 | 2.31 | 231 |
| 35 | 2.41 | 241 |
| 36 | 2.48 | 248 |
| 38 | 2.62 | 262 |
| 40 | 2.76 | 276 |
| 44 | 3.03 | 303 |
| 50 | 3.45 | 345 |
| 60 | 4.14 | 414 |
Ford notes
Ford UK placards on the Explorer are often printed in PSI even when the handbook also shows bar. A Mondeo, Focus or Kuga does not share a Transit number. Loaded vans use the second column.
Temperature and a cold gauge
Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 34 psi as a 20 °C baseline for this Explorer.
| Ambient | Gauge (front mid) | 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 |
| 30 °C | 36 psi | 2.48 bar | 248 kPa | Do not bleed a hot tyre |
| 38 °C (heatwave tarmac) | 37 psi | 2.55 bar | 255 kPa | Do not bleed a hot tyre |
Spare and inflator kit
A matching full-size spare on the Ford Explorer usually follows the higher axle (often the rear, near 32-35 psi). A space-saver is commonly 60 psi / 4.1 bar — read that tyre’s own sidewall. An inflator kit is not a spare; check the sealant date.
A cheap gauge and a monthly habit will do more for this Explorer than nitrogen upsells.
Other Ford models
Questions about this Explorer
Is the sidewall number correct on a Ford Explorer?
No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The Explorer placard is the operating target, near 32-35/32-35 psi.
What is that in bar and kPa for the Explorer?
Mid-points are about 2.31 bar (231 kPa) front and 2.31 bar (231 kPa) rear.
When does TPMS warn on a Ford Explorer?
Direct TPMS typically flags about 25% below placard — near 25 psi on this row. Fill to the sticker, not to the lamp.
What PSI if I plus-size toward 235/65R17?
Keep load index at or above OEM. Low-profile sizes usually stay at or slightly above the placard. Use 245/60R18, 245/55R19 and 235/65R17 as a planning band.
How often should I check a Explorer?
Monthly, before a long trip, and after a 10 °C weather swing. Include a full-size spare.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · front vs rear · cold inflation