UK · EU reference Tyre Pressure

235/60R18 · SUV / crossover · Bar

Recommended bar for 235/60R18

Size
235/60R18
Class
SUV / crossover
Planning PSI
35
Planning bar
2.41

bar

2.41

35 psi · 241 kPa · not a second factory sticker

235/60R18 · 35 psi · 2.41 bar · 241 kPa — estimates. Placard wins.

A 235/60R18 C-type or LT carcass can live far above a hatchback bar figure. This page’s 2.41 bar sketch is for the SUV / crossover class, not every car that can physically mount the tyre. A 10 °C overnight drop takes roughly 1 psi (0.07 bar) off a closed 235/60R18.

Bar, PSI and kPa

Convert around the 235/60R18 band. 2.41 bar is about 35 psi — not 23, not 33 unless the maths says so.

BarPSIkPa
2.1431214
2.2132221
2.2833228
2.3434234
2.4135241
2.4836248
2.5537255
2.6238262
2.6939269
2.7640276
2.8341283
2.9042290
2.9643296
3.0344303
3.1045310
3.1746317
3.2447324

Estimated 235/60R18 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 235/60R18.

ConditionFront (est.)Rear (est.)
Driver only / unladen35 psi / 2.41 bar / 241 kPa37 psi / 2.55 bar / 255 kPa
Typical occupancy36 psi / 2.48 bar / 248 kPa39 psi / 2.69 bar / 269 kPa
Motorway + luggage (sketch)37 psi / 2.55 bar / 255 kPa40 psi / 2.76 bar / 276 kPa

Placard versus sidewall

If a forum says “all 235/60R18 run 35 psi”, ignore it. A Qashqai and a Golf can share a size and not share a sticker.

What 235/60R18 means

A 235/60R18 on a SUV / crossover is a geometry. Two cars can share the size and disagree on PSI because mass and axle split differ.

Plus-size 18-inch SUV. Rim diameter 18 in; section 235 mm. Estimates on this page assume a typical load index for the SUV / crossover class.

Cars often seen on 235/60R18

These catalogue models are often seen on 235/60R18 or a close OEM neighbour. Open the vehicle chart for axle-specific PSI and bar.

How to set 235/60R18

  1. Park so the 235/60R18 tyres are cold (three hours, or less than about a mile).
  2. Read the door-pillar placard for that car — not the 235/60R18 sidewall maximum.
  3. If the sticker is missing, 35 psi / 2.41 bar is only a SUV / crossover 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 35 psi as a 20 °C baseline for 235/60R18.

AmbientGaugeBarkPaNote
−5 °C (hard frost)32 psi2.21 bar221 kPaGauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
0 °C33 psi2.28 bar228 kPaGauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
8 °C (UK winter morning)34 psi2.34 bar234 kPaGauge reads low; do not overfill once warm
20 °C (set cold here)35 psi2.41 bar241 kPaBaseline for this size sketch
30 °C37 psi2.55 bar255 kPaDo not bleed a hot 235/60R18
38 °C (heatwave tarmac)38 psi2.62 bar262 kPaDo not bleed a hot 235/60R18

If the door sticker and this 235/60R18 page disagree, the sticker wins.

Questions about 235/60R18

What is 235/60R18 in kPa?

241 kPa is the planning midpoint (100 kPa = 1 bar). 248 kPa is one PSI higher.

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 235/60R18?

Direct TPMS typically flags about 25% below target — near 26 psi if you were aiming at 35. Fill to the sticker, not to the lamp.

Is the sidewall number correct for 235/60R18?

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

Is 235/60R18 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