Tips for Airing Down Your Tires When Off-Roading

Airing down your tires expands the contact patch, or the surface area of the tire that touches the ground. This technique improves traction, which helps your vehicle grip the surface and improves the ability of your rig to move forward while off-roading. Follow these tips for airing down your tires when off-roading.

Determine How Much To Air Down

How much you should air down your tires depends on several factors, including the terrain, your vehicle type, the weight of the load you’re carrying, and the weather conditions. In general, you can reduce your tire pressure by 25 percent on moderate-level trails. You should find your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure on a sticker on the inside of your driver’s side door panel or in your owner’s manual.

If you’re rock crawling, you might want to make your tires even softer to improve grip over the uneven terrain. When rock crawling, try reducing your pressure by 35 percent. And if you’re driving over a very loose surface, like sand or mud, you might reduce pressure by 50 percent or more.

Bring Equipment To Adjust Tire Pressure

A few items you should include on your off-roading checklist are a tire repair kit and equipment for adjusting tire air pressure. You can air down your tires quickly with a tire deflation tool or automatic tire deflator. Use a tire pressure gauge to quickly take accurate measurements of your tires’ PSI.

You’ll also need equipment to air your tires back up. A tire compressor at a gas station or car wash could work, but if you’re not sure of the accessibility of a public compressor, consider bringing your own portable air compressor. If you have larger tires, you might appreciate the efficiency of an onboard air compressor.

Always Air Back Up

The final tip for airing down your tires when off-roading is to always air them back up when you finish your adventure. Even when driving on softer terrain, lower pressure increases the risk of puncturing your tire on a sharp object.

At a lower tire pressure, you place more strain on the tires’ sidewalls. With aired-down tires, the sidewalls flex more than they should when turning on normal pavement, which can lead to tire damage. The vehicle won’t handle well on underinflated tires on the road anyway, so make your drive home safer and more comfortable by airing up before heading out.