215/70R16 · SUV / crossover · PSI
215/70R16 PSI chart (33 psi planning figure)
- Size
- 215/70R16
- Class
- SUV / crossover
- Planning PSI
- 33
- Planning bar
- 2.28
psi
33
2.28 bar · 228 kPa · SUV / crossover planning figure
215/70R16 · 33 psi · 2.28 bar · 228 kPa — estimates. Placard wins.
PSI is the garage-hose number. For 215/70R16 a typical SUV / crossover planning figure is 33 psi cold — about 2.28 bar or 228 kPa. TPMS typically warns near 25 psi (about 25% below a 33 psi target). That is already a soft tyre.
Estimated 215/70R16 pressure by load
Load moves the rear first on a SUV / crossover. If the factory placard already has a laden column, use that — not this sketch for 215/70R16.
| Condition | Front (est.) | Rear (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver only / unladen | 33 psi / 2.28 bar / 228 kPa | 35 psi / 2.41 bar / 241 kPa |
| Typical occupancy | 34 psi / 2.34 bar / 234 kPa | 37 psi / 2.55 bar / 255 kPa |
| Motorway + luggage (sketch) | 35 psi / 2.41 bar / 241 kPa | 38 psi / 2.62 bar / 262 kPa |
PSI, bar and kPa
Convert around the 215/70R16 band. 2.28 bar is about 33 psi — not 23, not 33 unless the maths says so.
| PSI | Bar | kPa |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | 2.00 | 200 |
| 30 | 2.07 | 207 |
| 31 | 2.14 | 214 |
| 32 | 2.21 | 221 |
| 33 | 2.28 | 228 |
| 34 | 2.34 | 234 |
| 35 | 2.41 | 241 |
| 36 | 2.48 | 248 |
| 37 | 2.55 | 255 |
| 38 | 2.62 | 262 |
| 39 | 2.69 | 269 |
| 40 | 2.76 | 276 |
| 41 | 2.83 | 283 |
| 42 | 2.90 | 290 |
| 43 | 2.96 | 296 |
| 44 | 3.03 | 303 |
| 45 | 3.10 | 310 |
What 215/70R16 means
Read 215/70R16 as width / aspect R rim. Nothing in the size string is a pressure. Pressure lives on the car, not moulded as 205 or 55.
Taller compact SUV. Rim diameter 16 in; section 215 mm. Estimates on this page assume a typical load index for the SUV / crossover class.
Placard versus sidewall
If a forum says “all 215/70R16 run 33 psi”, ignore it. A Qashqai and a Golf can share a size and not share a sticker.
Cars often seen on 215/70R16
These catalogue models are often seen on 215/70R16 or a close OEM neighbour. Open the vehicle chart for axle-specific PSI and bar.
How to set 215/70R16
- Measure before the school run, not after the motorway.
- Write LF / RF / RR / RL. Do not keep 215/70R16 numbers in your head.
- Add air in short bursts toward the placard, using 33 psi only as a map.
- If one 215/70R16 is 4 psi down, hunt for a nail before you blame the weather.
- Log date, ambient temperature and the four readings.
Temperature drift
Roughly 1 psi per 5–6 °C. The table uses 33 psi as a 20 °C baseline for 215/70R16.
| Ambient | Gauge | Bar | kPa | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| −5 °C (hard frost) | 30 psi | 2.07 bar | 207 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 0 °C | 31 psi | 2.14 bar | 214 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 8 °C (UK winter morning) | 32 psi | 2.21 bar | 221 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 20 °C (set cold here) | 33 psi | 2.28 bar | 228 kPa | Baseline for this size sketch |
| 30 °C | 35 psi | 2.41 bar | 241 kPa | Do not bleed a hot 215/70R16 |
| 38 °C (heatwave tarmac) | 36 psi | 2.48 bar | 248 kPa | Do not bleed a hot 215/70R16 |
Keep 215/70R16 on the printed band for that car; 33 psi is a size sketch, not a second VIN label.
Questions about 215/70R16
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 215/70R16?
No. Sidewall PSI or kPa is a maximum for the carcass. Operating pressure is the door-pillar placard.
Is 215/70R16 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.
What PSI should 215/70R16 tyres be?
A SUV / crossover planning figure is about 33 psi cold (2.28 bar / 228 kPa). Confirm on the vehicle placard — two cars can share 215/70R16 and not share a sticker.
What is 215/70R16 in bar?
33 psi is 2.28 bar. Add a tenth of a bar if the placard’s laden column is higher, which is common on vans that wear this size.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · cold inflation · all sizes