LT215/85R16 · LT-metric truck · PSI
LT215/85R16 PSI chart (50 psi planning figure)
- Size
- LT215/85R16
- Class
- LT-metric truck
- Planning PSI
- 50
- Planning bar
- 3.45
psi
50
3.45 bar · 345 kPa · LT-metric truck planning figure
LT215/85R16 · 50 psi · 3.45 bar · 345 kPa — estimates. Placard wins.
PSI is the garage-hose number. For LT215/85R16 a typical LT-metric truck planning figure is 50 psi cold — about 3.45 bar or 345 kPa. TPMS typically warns near 38 psi (about 25% below a 50 psi target). That is already a soft tyre. LT-metric sizes print a load range. The vehicle door sticker, not the LT sidewall maximum, is still the operating pressure.
Estimated LT215/85R16 pressure by load
Load moves the rear first on a LT-metric truck. If the factory placard already has a laden column, use that — not this sketch for LT215/85R16.
| Condition | Front (est.) | Rear (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver only / unladen | 50 psi / 3.45 bar / 345 kPa | 53 psi / 3.65 bar / 365 kPa |
| Typical occupancy | 51 psi / 3.52 bar / 352 kPa | 55 psi / 3.79 bar / 379 kPa |
| Payload / towing (sketch) | 52 psi / 3.59 bar / 359 kPa | 62 psi / 4.27 bar / 427 kPa |
PSI, bar and kPa
1 bar ≈ 14.5 psi; 1 psi ≈ 6.89 kPa. Planning midpoint for LT215/85R16: 50 psi = 3.45 bar = 345 kPa.
| PSI | Bar | kPa |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 3.03 | 303 |
| 46 | 3.17 | 317 |
| 47 | 3.24 | 324 |
| 48 | 3.31 | 331 |
| 49 | 3.38 | 338 |
| 50 | 3.45 | 345 |
| 51 | 3.52 | 352 |
| 52 | 3.59 | 359 |
| 53 | 3.65 | 365 |
| 54 | 3.72 | 372 |
| 55 | 3.79 | 379 |
| 56 | 3.86 | 386 |
| 57 | 3.93 | 393 |
| 58 | 4.00 | 400 |
| 59 | 4.07 | 407 |
| 60 | 4.14 | 414 |
| 61 | 4.21 | 421 |
| 62 | 4.27 | 427 |
| 65 | 4.48 | 448 |
| 80 | 5.52 | 552 |
What LT215/85R16 means
LT215/85R16 means a 215 millimetre section width, a sidewall that is 85 percent of that width, on a 16-inch rim. The R is radial construction.
LT commercial 16-inch. Rim diameter 16 in; section 215 mm. Estimates on this page assume a typical load index for the LT-metric truck class.
Placard versus sidewall
The sidewall of a LT215/85R16 may say 51 psi or 350 kPa. That is a carcass maximum. Operating pressure is the tyre-information placard on the driver’s door pillar.
Cars often seen on LT215/85R16
These catalogue models are often seen on LT215/85R16 or a close OEM neighbour. Open the vehicle chart for axle-specific PSI and bar.
How to set LT215/85R16
- Park so the LT215/85R16 tyres are cold (three hours, or less than about a mile).
- Read the door-pillar placard for that car — not the LT215/85R16 sidewall maximum.
- If the sticker is missing, 50 psi / 3.45 bar is only a LT-metric truck planning figure for this size.
- Set all four with a calibrated gauge. A 3 psi miss on one corner shows up as a wander.
- 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 50 psi as a 20 °C baseline for LT215/85R16.
| Ambient | Gauge | Bar | kPa | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| −5 °C (hard frost) | 47 psi | 3.24 bar | 324 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 0 °C | 48 psi | 3.31 bar | 331 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 8 °C (UK winter morning) | 49 psi | 3.38 bar | 338 kPa | Gauge reads low; do not overfill once warm |
| 20 °C (set cold here) | 50 psi | 3.45 bar | 345 kPa | Baseline for this size sketch |
| 30 °C | 52 psi | 3.59 bar | 359 kPa | Do not bleed a hot LT215/85R16 |
| 38 °C (heatwave tarmac) | 53 psi | 3.65 bar | 365 kPa | Do not bleed a hot LT215/85R16 |
If the door sticker and this LT215/85R16 page disagree, the sticker wins.
Questions about LT215/85R16
Is the sidewall number correct for LT215/85R16?
No. Sidewall PSI or kPa is a maximum for the carcass. Operating pressure is the door-pillar placard.
What is LT215/85R16 in bar?
50 psi is 3.45 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.
What PSI should LT215/85R16 tyres be?
A LT-metric truck planning figure is about 50 psi cold (3.45 bar / 345 kPa). Confirm on the vehicle placard — two cars can share LT215/85R16 and not share a sticker.
When does TPMS warn on LT215/85R16?
Direct TPMS typically flags about 25% below target — near 38 psi if you were aiming at 50. Fill to the sticker, not to the lamp.
Handbook: placard · bar vs PSI · cold inflation · all sizes