About

In the automotive and HVAC industries, the Kilopascal (kPa) is the standard metric unit for pressure readings, found on manifold gauges, tire sidewalls, and sensor specifications. However, field equipment and legacy guides often reference PSI or Bar. Misinterpreting these values leads to under-inflated tires, inefficient refrigeration cycles, or triggered safety valves.

This tool bridges the gap by focusing on kPa as the primary input. It includes specific preset values commonly found in passenger vehicles and light trucks, allowing technicians to verify targets rapidly.

Formulas

Conversions follow standard metric-imperial definitions.

P_psi = P_kPa × 0.145038

P_bar = P_kPa ÷ 100

Note that 100 kPa is exactly 1 bar, roughly equal to atmospheric pressure at sea level.

Reference Data

kPa	PSI (approx)	Bar	Common Application
200	29.0	2.0	Small Passenger Cars
220	31.9	2.2	Standard Sedan Front
240	34.8	2.4	Standard Sedan Rear / SUV
300	43.5	3.0	Light Truck / Load Range
450	65.3	4.5	Commercial Van

Frequently Asked Questions

Most passenger vehicles require between 200 kPa (29 PSI) and 240 kPa (35 PSI). Always check the placard on the driver"s door jamb for the manufacturer"s specific recommendation.

Analog gauges can drift over time due to mechanical wear. Digital gauges are generally more accurate but require batteries. Always measure "cold" pressure (before driving) as heat expands the air, increasing the kPa reading.

For tire safety, integer precision in PSI (e.g., 32 vs 33) is usually sufficient. However, for HVAC refrigerants, decimal precision is required to determine saturation temperatures accurately.

No. 100 kPa equals roughly 1.02 kg/cm². While close, they are not identical, and mixing them up in high-pressure hydraulic systems can be dangerous.