Volkswagen · Transporter · Overview
Tyre pressure chart for the Volkswagen 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
On a Volkswagen Transporter the useful pair is 40 psi (2.76 bar) up front and 55 psi (3.79 bar) at the back, mid-range. TPMS typically warns near 30 psi (about 25% below target). That is already a soft tyre, not a fill target.
Volkswagen Transporter placard versus sidewall
Sidewall PSI is a carcass maximum. Recommended operating pressure for this Transporter is the pillar sticker, near 40/55 psi.
Spare and inflator kit
A matching full-size spare on the Volkswagen 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.
Estimated pressure by tyre size (LT245/75R16 and others)
LT245/75R16 is the first planning size here. LT265/70R17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT245/75R16 | 48 | 67 | 3.31 | 4.62 | 331 | 462 | LT-metric, higher load |
| 235/75R15 | 41 | 58 | 2.83 | 4 | 283 | 400 | Older compact truck |
| LT265/70R17 | 48 | 69 | 3.31 | 4.76 | 331 | 476 | LT 17-inch |
| 255/65R17 | 43 | 60 | 2.96 | 4.14 | 296 | 414 | Highway 17-inch |
| 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 |
| 245/70R16 | 42 | 59 | 2.9 | 4.07 | 290 | 407 | Common 16-inch all-terrain |
| 265/70R17 | 43 | 60 | 2.96 | 4.14 | 296 | 414 | Typical 17-inch load tyre |
Temperature and a cold gauge
Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 40 psi as a 20 °C baseline for this 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 |
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 | 40 psi / 2.76 bar | 56 psi / 3.86 bar |
| Motorway + luggage | 41 psi / 2.83 bar | 59 psi / 4.07 bar |
How to set the Transporter
- Measure before the school run, not after the M25.
- Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep 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 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.
PSI, bar and kPa
1 bar ≈ 14.5 psi; 1 psi ≈ 6.89 kPa. Mid-points on the Transporter: 40 psi = 2.76 bar = 276 kPa.
| 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 |
If the Volkswagen sticker and this page disagree, the sticker wins.
Other Volkswagen models
Questions about this Transporter
What PSI if I plus-size toward LT265/70R17?
Keep load index at or above OEM. Low-profile sizes usually stay at or slightly above the placard. Use LT245/75R16, 235/75R15 and LT265/70R17 as a planning band.
Is the sidewall number correct on a Volkswagen Transporter?
No. Sidewall PSI is a maximum. The Transporter placard is the operating target, near 35-45/45-65 psi.
What is that in bar and kPa for the Transporter?
Mid-points are about 2.76 bar (276 kPa) front and 3.79 bar (379 kPa) rear.
What tyre pressure should a Volkswagen Transporter 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.
When does TPMS warn on a Volkswagen Transporter?
Direct TPMS typically flags about 25% below placard — near 30 psi on this row. Fill to the sticker, not to the lamp.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · front vs rear · cold inflation