Ford · Transit Custom · Bar
Ford Transit Custom tyre pressure in bar
- Drivetrain
- front-wheel drive
- Body
- van
- PSI F / R
- 35-45 / 45-65
- Bar F / R
- 2.4-3.1 / 3.1-4.5
bar
2.76 / 3.79
35-45 / 45-65 psi · 276 / 379 kPa
35-45 psi F · 45-65 psi R · 2.4-3.1 / 3.1-4.5 bar · 276/379 kPa
2.3 bar is not 23 psi. On this Transit Custom 2.4-3.1 bar converts to about 35-45 psi. Use the table, not a guess. Size estimates on this page include 235/60R17, 235/65R16 and 225/65R16 — interpolated from the catalogue midpoint, not a second factory sticker. Commercial and load-biased bodies like this van often need a higher rear; LT or C-type sizes such as 225/65R16 are not filled like a Fiesta.
Bar, PSI and kPa
Bar-led conversions around the Ford Transit Custom. 2.4-3.1 bar is not “35-45 divided by ten”.
| Bar | PSI | kPa |
|---|---|---|
| 2.41 | 35 | 241 |
| 2.48 | 36 | 248 |
| 2.62 | 38 | 262 |
| 2.76 | 40 | 276 |
| 3.03 | 44 | 303 |
| 3.10 | 45 | 310 |
| 3.45 | 50 | 345 |
| 3.79 | 55 | 379 |
| 4.14 | 60 | 414 |
| 4.48 | 65 | 448 |
Ford Transit Custom placard versus sidewall
Sidewall PSI is a carcass maximum. Recommended operating pressure for this Transit Custom is the pillar sticker, near 40/55 psi.
Estimated pressure by tyre size (235/60R17 and others)
235/60R17 is the first planning size here. 225/65R16 is usually the plus-size or LT step. Keep load index at or above original equipment.
| Tyre size | Front PSI | Rear PSI | Front bar | Rear bar | Front kPa | Rear kPa | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 235/60R17 | 41 | 58 | 2.83 | 4 | 283 | 400 | Plus-size van |
| 235/65R16 | 42 | 59 | 2.9 | 4.07 | 290 | 407 | Loaded van |
| 225/65R16 | 41 | 58 | 2.83 | 4 | 283 | 400 | Common transaxle van |
| 215/65R16 | 40 | 57 | 2.76 | 3.93 | 276 | 393 | Compact van |
| LT215/85R16 | 46 | 65 | 3.17 | 4.48 | 317 | 448 | LT commercial |
| 195/75R16C | 44 | 63 | 3.03 | 4.34 | 303 | 434 | C-type commercial |
| 215/75R16C | 45 | 64 | 3.1 | 4.41 | 310 | 441 | C-type 215 |
| 225/75R16 | 42 | 60 | 2.9 | 4.14 | 290 | 414 | Taller load range |
Load notes
Load moves the rear of a van first. If the factory placard already has a “laden” column, use that instead of these sketches.
| Condition | Front (est.) | Rear (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver only | 40 psi / 2.76 bar | 55 psi / 3.79 bar |
| Full occupancy | 40 psi / 2.76 bar | 56 psi / 3.86 bar |
| Payload / towing | 41 psi / 2.83 bar | 57 psi / 3.93 bar |
How to set the Transit Custom
- Measure before the school run, not after the M25.
- Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep Transit Custom numbers in your head.
- Add air in short bursts toward 40 psi (2.76 bar) front and 55 psi rear.
- If one corner 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 40 psi as a 20 °C baseline for this Transit Custom.
| Ambient | Gauge (front mid) | Bar | kPa | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| −5 °C (hard frost) | 37 psi | 2.55 bar | 255 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 0 °C | 38 psi | 2.62 bar | 262 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 8 °C (UK winter morning) | 39 psi | 2.69 bar | 269 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 20 °C (set cold here) | 40 psi | 2.76 bar | 276 kPa | Baseline |
| 30 °C | 42 psi | 2.9 bar | 290 kPa | Do not bleed a hot tyre |
| 38 °C (heatwave tarmac) | 43 psi | 2.96 bar | 296 kPa | Do not bleed a hot tyre |
Ford notes
Ford UK placards on the Transit Custom 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.
Spare and inflator kit
A matching full-size spare on the Ford Transit Custom usually follows the higher axle (often the rear, near 45-65 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.
If the Ford sticker and this page disagree, the sticker wins.
Other Ford models
Questions about this Transit Custom
Front versus rear on the Ford Transit Custom?
This row is 35-45 F / 45-65 R. Even when they match, a laden rear can justify a higher number if the sticker prints one.
How often should I check a Transit Custom?
Monthly, before a long trip, and after a 10 °C weather swing. Include a full-size spare.
What tyre pressure should a Ford Transit Custom use?
Catalogue reference is 35-45 psi front and 45-65 psi rear (2.4-3.1 / 3.1-4.5 bar), cold. Confirm on the door-pillar placard.
Is the sidewall number correct on a Ford Transit Custom?
No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The Transit Custom placard is the operating target, near 35-45/45-65 psi.
What PSI if I plus-size toward 225/65R16?
Keep load index at or above OEM. Low-profile sizes usually stay at or slightly above the placard. Use 235/60R17, 235/65R16 and 225/65R16 as a planning band.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · front vs rear · cold inflation