UK · EU reference Tyre Pressure

215/55R17 · passenger car · PSI

215/55R17 PSI chart (34 psi planning figure)

Size
215/55R17
Class
passenger car
Planning PSI
34
Planning bar
2.34

psi

34

2.34 bar · 234 kPa · passenger car planning figure

215/55R17 · 34 psi · 2.34 bar · 234 kPa — estimates. Placard wins.

If someone typed “215/55R17 psi”, they want Imperial. Start near 34 psi on an unladen passenger car, then confirm the vehicle placard. Sidewall max is not the target. Under-inflation cooks the shoulders of a 215/55R17; over-inflation wears the centre rib and bangs every cat’s eye.

Estimated 215/55R17 pressure by load

Plus-sizing to 215/55R17 from a taller OEM tyre usually keeps the same placard if the load index is equal or higher.

ConditionFront (est.)Rear (est.)
Driver only / unladen34 psi / 2.34 bar / 234 kPa34 psi / 2.34 bar / 234 kPa
Typical occupancy34 psi / 2.34 bar / 234 kPa35 psi / 2.41 bar / 241 kPa
Motorway + luggage (sketch)35 psi / 2.41 bar / 241 kPa36 psi / 2.48 bar / 248 kPa

PSI, bar and kPa

1 bar ≈ 14.5 psi; 1 psi ≈ 6.89 kPa. Planning midpoint for 215/55R17: 34 psi = 2.34 bar = 234 kPa.

PSIBarkPa
302.07207
312.14214
322.21221
332.28228
342.34234
352.41241
362.48248
372.55255
382.62262
392.69269
402.76276
412.83283
422.90290
432.96296
443.03303
453.10310
463.17317

What 215/55R17 means

215/55R17 means a 215 millimetre section width, a sidewall that is 55 percent of that width, on a 17-inch rim. The R is radial construction.

17-inch family / CUV overlap. Rim diameter 17 in; section 215 mm. Estimates on this page assume a typical load index for the passenger car class.

Placard versus sidewall

If a forum says “all 215/55R17 run 34 psi”, ignore it. A Qashqai and a Golf can share a size and not share a sticker.

Cars often seen on 215/55R17

These catalogue models are often seen on 215/55R17 or a close OEM neighbour. Open the vehicle chart for axle-specific PSI and bar.

Ford MondeoFord KugaNissan Qashqai

How to set 215/55R17

  1. Park so the 215/55R17 tyres are cold (three hours, or less than about a mile).
  2. Read the door-pillar placard for that car — not the 215/55R17 sidewall maximum.
  3. If the sticker is missing, 34 psi / 2.34 bar is only a passenger car planning figure for this size.
  4. Set all four with a calibrated gauge. A 3 psi miss on one corner shows up as a wander.
  5. Refit valve caps and reset TPMS if the handbook asks for a relearn.

Temperature drift

Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 34 psi as a 20 °C baseline for 215/55R17.

AmbientGaugeBarkPaNote
−5 °C (hard frost)31 psi2.14 bar214 kPaGauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
0 °C32 psi2.21 bar221 kPaGauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
8 °C (UK winter morning)33 psi2.28 bar228 kPaGauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
20 °C (set cold here)34 psi2.34 bar234 kPaBaseline for this size sketch
30 °C36 psi2.48 bar248 kPaDo not bleed a hot 215/55R17
38 °C (heatwave tarmac)37 psi2.55 bar255 kPaDo not bleed a hot 215/55R17

If the door sticker and this 215/55R17 page disagree, the sticker wins.

Questions about 215/55R17

What PSI should 215/55R17 tyres be?

A passenger car planning figure is about 34 psi cold (2.34 bar / 234 kPa). Confirm on the vehicle placard — two cars can share 215/55R17 and not share a sticker.

When does TPMS warn on 215/55R17?

Direct TPMS typically flags about 25% below target — near 26 psi if you were aiming at 34. Fill to the sticker, not to the lamp.

What is 215/55R17 in bar?

34 psi is 2.34 bar. Add a tenth of a bar if the placard’s laden column is higher, which is common on vans that wear this size.

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.

Is the sidewall number correct for 215/55R17?

No. Sidewall PSI or kPa is a maximum for the carcass. Operating pressure is the door-pillar placard.

Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · cold inflation · all sizes