Whether you’re tackling sandy dunes, muddy trails, snowy landscapes, rocky paths or gravel roads, airing down can make all the difference to your convenience, comfort and performance during those off-roading adventures.
Airing down your 4×4 tyres is the secret to conquering any terrain with confidence, providing the improved traction, ride comfort and stability to adapt successfully. It’s also the key to better traction, which will come handy across various conditions as Jeep Kingdom explains:
“This is especially useful in snow, sand and mud as it can do wonders for a vehicle’s ability in these settings. Rather than digging down and getting high centred, your rig will grip the terrain and help keep your vehicle’s momentum moving forward, which will help prevent you getting stuck. Additionally on hard terrain like slick rock, the increased grip provides key traction with its ability to gain traction and mould around objects for a better grip.”
Before you grab your tyre deflator and get to work, you’ll want to read this guide. There are after all several factors to consider to make airing down work to your advantage…
Your tyre type
4×4 tyres are generally categorised as all-terrain (A/T) or mud-terrain (M/T), each of which offer their own list of benefits and limitations. Some tyre types however cope with deflation better than others.
More modern radial tyres – the standard tyre type featured across vehicles sold – tend to withstand regular deflation and inflation much better thanks to their flexibility and durability. While traditional cross-ply constructions are less forgiving.
The surrounding terrain
The tyre pressure for desert trails won’t get you across rocky routes safely, so be sure to bear your terrain in mind before deflating your tyres. Sandy terrains generally require a psi of between 15 and 20 as a rule of thumb, yet snowy conditions are best negotiated with a psi of 30 to 35.
You shouldn’t discount higher tyre pressures either. Mud that is slippery on top but has a firm base is the perfect candidate for inflation. While deep mud that’s thick, gooey and not firm at all will benefit from a lower tyre pressure.
With one size certainly not fitting all, surveying your surroundings before you air down your tyres is our suggestion.
Your vehicle’s weight
The weight of your vehicle should also play a vital role in your decision to deflate. 4x4s and pickup trucks that are already heavily laden with cargo or aftermarket upgrades may need a lower tyre pressure than lighter makes and models to secure similar traction and comfort. This means you may have to deflate your tyres more to enjoy a similar driving experience.
Finding the recommended tyre pressure for your 4×4 or pickup is just the beginning. Your vehicle manual should always be your first port of call. In here, you should find recommended pressures for a variety of driving conditions and terrains, and advisories for several load ranges.
The speed of travel
High speed travel isn’t exactly a fitting companion for excessively deflated tyres. It can in fact cause the build up of heat, which ultimately affects the condition and integrity of your 4×4 tyres to make them more prone to damage and failure.
Your choice of equipment
Now for the method of airing down, which relies heavily on having the right equipment to hand. Our tyre deflators and ARB compressor kits are the best options on the market, and provide the means to reduce or increase tyre pressure accurately and efficiently.
With a speedy and convenient way to inflate and deflate, you’ll also have the power to experiment! Different terrains require different tyre pressures, but with our deflators and compressor kits, you can try out numerous psi levels to discover which works best for your vehicle and your surroundings.
