Glossary
Tire deflation
Lowering tire pressure for better traction and comfort on sand, mud, or rough trails.
Tire deflation, often called airing down, means intentionally lowering tire pressure below the highway recommendation before driving on sand, mud, snow, or rough unpaved trails. Lower pressure lets the tire's footprint widen and flex more, spreading weight over a larger contact area for better traction and a smoother ride on rough surfaces.
The right pressure depends on the vehicle's weight, tire size, and the specific terrain, with soft sand generally needing a bigger reduction than a mildly rutted dirt road, and there is no single number that works for every setup. Deflating too far risks the tire slipping on its rim under load, which can damage the tire or valve stem.
A tire deflator tool speeds up letting air out of multiple tires to a set target pressure and is far faster than doing it manually with a gauge. A common mistake is airing down for a rough trail and then continuing at highway speed afterward without reinflating, since underinflated tires build heat and wear unevenly at higher speeds.