LT215/85R16 · LT-metric truck · kPa
345 kPa for LT215/85R16 tyres
- Size
- LT215/85R16
- Class
- LT-metric truck
- Planning PSI
- 50
- Planning bar
- 3.45
kPa
345
3.45 bar · 50 psi · 100 kPa = 1 bar
LT215/85R16 · 50 psi · 3.45 bar · 345 kPa — estimates. Placard wins.
If the gauge only speaks kPa, 345 kPa is the sketch for this LT-metric truck size. Fine-tune to the vehicle that actually wears LT215/85R16. A 10 °C overnight drop takes roughly 1 psi (0.07 bar) off a closed LT215/85R16. LT-metric sizes print a load range. The vehicle door sticker, not the LT sidewall maximum, is still the operating pressure.
kPa, bar and PSI
Use the table, then set a cold gauge. 345 kPa is 100 × 3.45 bar on this size.
| kPa | Bar | PSI |
|---|---|---|
| 303 | 3.03 | 44 |
| 317 | 3.17 | 46 |
| 324 | 3.24 | 47 |
| 331 | 3.31 | 48 |
| 338 | 3.38 | 49 |
| 345 | 3.45 | 50 |
| 352 | 3.52 | 51 |
| 359 | 3.59 | 52 |
| 365 | 3.65 | 53 |
| 372 | 3.72 | 54 |
| 379 | 3.79 | 55 |
| 386 | 3.86 | 56 |
| 393 | 3.93 | 57 |
| 400 | 4.00 | 58 |
| 407 | 4.07 | 59 |
| 414 | 4.14 | 60 |
| 421 | 4.21 | 61 |
| 427 | 4.27 | 62 |
| 448 | 4.48 | 65 |
| 552 | 5.52 | 80 |
Estimated LT215/85R16 pressure by load
Plus-sizing to LT215/85R16 from a taller OEM tyre usually keeps the same placard if the load index is equal or higher.
| Condition | Front (est.) | Rear (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver only / unladen | 50 psi / 3.45 bar / 345 kPa | 54 psi / 3.72 bar / 372 kPa |
| Typical occupancy | 50 psi / 3.45 bar / 345 kPa | 55 psi / 3.79 bar / 379 kPa |
| Payload / towing (sketch) | 51 psi / 3.52 bar / 352 kPa | 62 psi / 4.27 bar / 427 kPa |
What LT215/85R16 means
Read LT215/85R16 as width / aspect R rim. Nothing in the size string is a pressure. Pressure lives on the car, not moulded as 205 or 55.
LT commercial 16-inch. Rim diameter 16 in; section 215 mm. Estimates on this page assume a typical load index for the LT-metric truck class.
Placard versus sidewall
If a forum says “all LT215/85R16 run 50 psi”, ignore it. A Qashqai and a Golf can share a size and not share a sticker.
Temperature drift
Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 50 psi as a 20 °C baseline for LT215/85R16.
| Ambient | Gauge | Bar | kPa | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| −5 °C (hard frost) | 47 psi | 3.24 bar | 324 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 0 °C | 48 psi | 3.31 bar | 331 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 8 °C (UK winter morning) | 49 psi | 3.38 bar | 338 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 20 °C (set cold here) | 50 psi | 3.45 bar | 345 kPa | Baseline for this size sketch |
| 30 °C | 52 psi | 3.59 bar | 359 kPa | Do not bleed a hot LT215/85R16 |
| 38 °C (heatwave tarmac) | 53 psi | 3.65 bar | 365 kPa | Do not bleed a hot LT215/85R16 |
How to set LT215/85R16
- Park so the LT215/85R16 tyres are cold (three hours, or less than about a mile).
- Read the door-pillar placard for that car — not the LT215/85R16 sidewall maximum.
- If the sticker is missing, 50 psi / 3.45 bar is only a LT-metric truck planning figure for this size.
- Set all four with a calibrated gauge. A 3 psi miss on one corner shows up as a wander.
- Refit valve caps and reset TPMS if the handbook asks for a relearn.
Cars often seen on LT215/85R16
These catalogue models are often seen on LT215/85R16 or a close OEM neighbour. Open the vehicle chart for axle-specific PSI and bar.
If the door sticker and this LT215/85R16 page disagree, the sticker wins.
Questions about LT215/85R16
When does TPMS warn on LT215/85R16?
Direct TPMS typically flags about 25% below target — near 38 psi if you were aiming at 50. Fill to the sticker, not to the lamp.
What PSI should LT215/85R16 tyres be?
A LT-metric truck planning figure is about 50 psi cold (3.45 bar / 345 kPa). Confirm on the vehicle placard — two cars can share LT215/85R16 and not share a sticker.
What is LT215/85R16 in bar?
50 psi is 3.45 bar. Add a tenth of a bar if the placard’s laden column is higher, which is common on vans that wear this size.
Can I run LT215/85R16 at a lower pressure for comfort?
Not as a habit. A soft LT215/85R16 cooks the shoulders and dulls steering. Keep load index and stay on the placard.
Is LT215/85R16 the same as a plus-size swap?
Only if that is the size you fitted. Overall diameter should stay close to OEM. Pressure still follows the car, with load index at or above original.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · cold inflation · all sizes