Land Rover · Defender · Bar

Recommended bar for a Land Rover Defender

Drivetrain: all-wheel drive
Body: SUV / crossover
PSI F / R: 32-35 / 32-35
Bar F / R: 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4

bar

2.31 / 2.31

32-35 / 32-35 psi · 231 / 231 kPa

32-35 psi F · 32-35 psi R · 2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4 bar · 231/231 kPa

2.3 bar is not 23 psi. On this Defender 2.2-2.4 bar converts to about 32-35 psi. Use the table, not a guess. A 10 °C overnight drop takes roughly 1 psi (0.07 bar) off a closed Land Rover tyre. Keep side-to-side spread inside about 2 psi so the all-wheel drive hardware is not working on a radius mismatch.

Bar, PSI and kPa

Bar-led conversions around the Land Rover Defender. 2.2-2.4 bar is not “32-35 divided by ten”.

Bar	PSI	kPa
2.07	30	207
2.21	32	221
2.28	33	228
2.31	33.5	231
2.41	35	241
2.48	36	248
2.62	38	262
2.76	40	276
3.03	44	303
3.45	50	345
4.14	60	414

Land Rover Defender placard versus sidewall

If the Land Rover sticker is painted over, the handbook is next. This website is a map, not a replacement VIN label.

Estimated pressure by tyre size (245/55R19 and others)

If your Land Rover Defender no longer wears the OEM diameter, start at the row nearest 245/55R19 or 215/70R16 and confirm with the tyre maker’s load table.

Tyre size	Front PSI	Rear PSI	Front bar	Rear bar	Front kPa	Rear kPa	Note
245/55R19	36	36	2.48	2.48	248	248	Low-profile 19-inch
215/70R16	34	34	2.34	2.34	234	234	Compact crossover
225/60R18	35	35	2.41	2.41	241	241	Highway CUV
255/50R20	37	37	2.55	2.55	255	255	20-inch plus-size
225/65R17	35	35	2.41	2.41	241	241	Very common 17-inch
245/60R18	36	37	2.48	2.55	248	255	Heavier CUV
235/65R17	35	36	2.41	2.48	241	248	Mid-size SUV
235/60R18	36	36	2.48	2.48	248	248	Plus-size 18-inch

Load notes

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	38 psi / 2.62 bar

How to set the Defender

Measure before the school run, not after the M25.
Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep Defender numbers in your head.
Add air in short bursts toward 34 psi (2.31 bar) front and 34 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 34 psi as a 20 °C baseline for this Defender.

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

Land Rover notes

Land Rover 4x4s may list terrain programmes. Highway pressure is still the placard; airing down off-road is temporary.

Spare and inflator kit

A matching full-size spare on the Land Rover Defender 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 Defender than nitrogen upsells.

Other Land Rover models

Range Rover Evoque Freelander Series Range Rover Sport Discovery Sport Range Rover Velar LRX Range Rover

Questions about this Defender

What PSI if I plus-size toward 225/60R18?

Keep load index at or above OEM. Low-profile sizes usually stay at or slightly above the placard. Use 245/55R19, 215/70R16 and 225/60R18 as a planning band.

What is that in bar and kPa for the Defender?

Mid-points are about 2.31 bar (231 kPa) front and 2.31 bar (231 kPa) rear.

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 a Land Rover Defender?

Direct TPMS typically flags about 25% below placard — near 25 psi on this row. Fill to the sticker, not to the lamp.

Front versus rear on the Land Rover Defender?

This row is 32-35 F / 32-35 R. Even when they match, a laden rear can justify a higher number if the sticker prints one.

Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · front vs rear · cold inflation