Land Rover · Defender · PSI

Land Rover Defender inflation in PSI (32-35 front, 32-35 rear)

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

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

PSI is the Imperial reading most UK motorists still see on garage hoses. For the Land Rover Defender the catalogue row is 32-35 psi front and 32-35 psi rear. Under-inflation cooks the shoulders of a Defender; over-inflation wears the centre rib and bangs every cat’s eye. Keep side-to-side spread inside about 2 psi so the all-wheel drive hardware is not working on a radius mismatch.

Land Rover Defender placard versus sidewall

The tyre-information placard on a Land Rover Defender sits on the driver’s door pillar (sometimes the fuel-filler flap). Catalogue figures here are a general band: 32-35 / 32-35 psi.

PSI, bar and kPa

PSI-led conversions for the Land Rover Defender band (32-35 / 32-35).

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

Estimated pressure by tyre size (245/60R18 and others)

Planning cold pressures for sizes often seen on a SUV / crossover. This Defender 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
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

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.

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	34 psi / 2.34 bar	35 psi / 2.41 bar
Motorway + luggage	35 psi / 2.41 bar	36 psi / 2.48 bar

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 tyre pressure should a Land Rover Defender use?

Catalogue reference is 32-35 psi front and 32-35 psi rear (2.2-2.4 / 2.2-2.4 bar), cold. Confirm on the door-pillar placard.

How often should I check a Defender?

Monthly, before a long trip, and after a 10 °C weather swing. Include a full-size spare.

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.

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.

Is the sidewall number correct on a Land Rover Defender?

No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The Defender placard is the operating target, near 32-35/32-35 psi.

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