Volkswagen · T5 Transporter · Recommended
Recommended tyre pressure for a Volkswagen T5 Transporter
- Drivetrain
- front-wheel drive
- Body
- light commercial
- PSI F / R
- 35-45 / 45-65
- Bar F / R
- 2.4-3.1 / 3.1-4.5
psi
40 / 55
Catalogue mid-points, front / rear · 2.4-3.1 / 3.1-4.5 bar
35-45 psi F · 45-65 psi R · 2.4-3.1 / 3.1-4.5 bar · 276/379 kPa
Treat this page as a map of the T5 Transporter band. The legal setpoint is the printed door-pillar label for your VIN. A 10 °C overnight drop takes roughly 1 psi (0.07 bar) off a closed Volkswagen tyre.
How to set the T5 Transporter
- Measure before the school run, not after the M25.
- Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep T5 Transporter 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.
Volkswagen T5 Transporter placard versus sidewall
Sidewall PSI is a carcass maximum. Recommended operating pressure for this T5 Transporter is the pillar sticker, near 40/55 psi.
Estimated pressure by tyre size (275/65R18 and others)
275/65R18 is the first planning size here. LT245/75R16 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 275/65R18 | 43 | 61 | 2.96 | 4.21 | 296 | 421 | Plus-size 18-inch |
| 285/70R17 | 44 | 62 | 3.03 | 4.27 | 303 | 427 | Wide all-terrain |
| LT245/75R16 | 48 | 67 | 3.31 | 4.62 | 331 | 462 | LT-metric, higher load |
| 245/70R16 | 42 | 59 | 2.9 | 4.07 | 290 | 407 | Common 16-inch all-terrain |
| 235/75R15 | 41 | 58 | 2.83 | 4 | 283 | 400 | Older compact truck |
| 255/65R17 | 43 | 60 | 2.96 | 4.14 | 296 | 414 | Highway 17-inch |
| LT265/70R17 | 48 | 69 | 3.31 | 4.76 | 331 | 476 | LT 17-inch |
| 265/70R17 | 43 | 60 | 2.96 | 4.14 | 296 | 414 | Typical 17-inch load tyre |
PSI, bar and kPa
PSI-led conversions for the Volkswagen T5 Transporter band (35-45 / 45-65).
| PSI | Bar | kPa |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | 2.41 | 241 |
| 36 | 2.48 | 248 |
| 38 | 2.62 | 262 |
| 40 | 2.76 | 276 |
| 44 | 3.03 | 303 |
| 45 | 3.10 | 310 |
| 50 | 3.45 | 345 |
| 55 | 3.79 | 379 |
| 60 | 4.14 | 414 |
| 65 | 4.48 | 448 |
Pressure against load
Load moves the rear of a light commercial 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 |
| Motorway + luggage | 42 psi / 2.9 bar | 58 psi / 4 bar |
Temperature drift
Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 40 psi as a 20 °C baseline for this T5 Transporter.
| 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 |
Volkswagen notes
VW usually prints bar first (2.3, 2.5). Convert carefully: 2.3 bar is about 33 psi, not 23. Golf, Passat and Tiguan stickers are not interchangeable.
Spare and inflator kit
A matching full-size spare on the Volkswagen T5 Transporter 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.
A cheap gauge and a monthly habit will do more for this T5 Transporter than nitrogen upsells.
Other Volkswagen models
Questions about this T5 Transporter
Front versus rear on the Volkswagen T5 Transporter?
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.
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 Volkswagen T5 Transporter?
Direct TPMS typically flags about 25% below placard — near 30 psi on this row. Fill to the sticker, not to the lamp.
Is the sidewall number correct on a Volkswagen T5 Transporter?
No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The T5 Transporter placard is the operating target, near 35-45/45-65 psi.
What is that in bar and kPa for the T5 Transporter?
Mid-points are about 2.76 bar (276 kPa) front and 3.79 bar (379 kPa) rear.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · front vs rear · cold inflation