Ford · Transit · Bar
Ford Transit 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
European and UK handbooks usually quote bar. The Ford Transit catalogue is 2.4-3.1 bar front and 3.1-4.5 bar rear (midpoint 2.76 / 3.79). A 10 °C overnight drop takes roughly 1 psi (0.07 bar) off a closed Ford tyre. Commercial and load-biased bodies like this van often need a higher rear; LT or C-type sizes such as 235/60R17 are not filled like a Fiesta.
Bar, PSI and kPa
Bar-led conversions around the Ford Transit. 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 placard versus sidewall
If the Ford sticker is painted over, the handbook is next. This website is a map, not a replacement VIN label.
Estimated pressure by tyre size (225/65R16 and others)
Planning cold pressures for sizes often seen on a van. This Transit sample opens with 225/65R16, then 235/65R16 and 235/60R17.
| Tyre size | Front PSI | Rear PSI | Front bar | Rear bar | Front kPa | Rear kPa | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225/65R16 | 41 | 58 | 2.83 | 4 | 283 | 400 | Common transaxle van |
| 235/65R16 | 42 | 59 | 2.9 | 4.07 | 290 | 407 | Loaded van |
| 235/60R17 | 41 | 58 | 2.83 | 4 | 283 | 400 | Plus-size van |
| 195/75R16C | 44 | 63 | 3.03 | 4.34 | 303 | 434 | C-type commercial |
| 215/65R16 | 40 | 57 | 2.76 | 3.93 | 276 | 393 | Compact van |
| 215/75R16C | 45 | 64 | 3.1 | 4.41 | 310 | 441 | C-type 215 |
| LT215/85R16 | 46 | 65 | 3.17 | 4.48 | 317 | 448 | LT commercial |
| 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 | 41 psi / 2.83 bar | 57 psi / 3.93 bar |
| Payload / towing | 42 psi / 2.9 bar | 58 psi / 4 bar |
How to set the Transit
- Measure before the school run, not after the M25.
- Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep Transit 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.
| 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 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 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
Front versus rear on the Ford Transit?
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.
Is the sidewall number correct on a Ford Transit?
No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The Transit placard is the operating target, near 35-45/45-65 psi.
When does TPMS warn on a Ford Transit?
Direct TPMS typically flags about 25% below placard — near 30 psi on this row. Fill to the sticker, not to the lamp.
What tyre pressure should a Ford Transit 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.
What PSI if I plus-size toward 235/60R17?
Keep load index at or above OEM. Low-profile sizes usually stay at or slightly above the placard. Use 225/65R16, 235/65R16 and 235/60R17 as a planning band.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · front vs rear · cold inflation