How to Air Down Tires for Off-Roading

Airing down your tires before hitting the trail increases traction, softens your ride, and helps your Jeep crawl over rocks, sand, and mud with ease. Whether you’re wheeling through the Everglades or climbing slick rock in Moab, this quick mod is a trail essential.

What You’ll Need:

1. Tire deflators (manual or automatic)
2. Tire pressure gauge (digital or analog)
3. Air compressor (portable or onboard, for airing back up)
4. Valve stem tool (optional for fast deflation)
5. Optional: TPMS reset tool (if you’re running sensors and airing down far)

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions

✅ Step 1: Know Your Target PSI

Here’s a rough guide depending on terrain and tire type:

Terrain	PSI Range
Dirt/Gravel	20–25 PSI
Sand/Beach	12–16 PSI
Rocks/Mud	10–15 PSI
Emergency Recovery	8–10 PSI (with beadlocks only)

⚠️ Don’t go below 15 PSI unless you’re running beadlock wheels — or you risk popping a bead.

✅ Step 2: Park and Set Brake

1. Pull over in a safe, level spot before the trailhead.
2. Put your Jeep in park, engage the parking brake, and turn off the engine.

✅ Step 3: Start DeflatingOption A: Manual Deflation

1. Unscrew your valve stem cap.
2. Press the center pin with a valve stem tool or small object.
3. Let air out in short bursts, checking pressure with a gauge.

Option B: Tire Deflators (Recommended)

1. Screw adjustable deflators onto each valve stem.
2. They’ll automatically release air until they hit your preset PSI.
3. When they stop hissing, remove them and replace the valve cap.

🧠 Pro Tip: Brands like ARB, Staun, and Teraflex make reliable deflators that save time and guesswork.

✅ Step 4: Check All Four Tires

1. Use a tire pressure gauge to confirm each tire is at the same PSI.
2. Small differences are fine, but try to stay within 1–2 PSI between corners.

Why Airing Down Works

1. Wider tire footprint = more grip on soft terrain
2. Softer ride = less bouncing and better suspension performance
3. Better control = smoother acceleration and braking off-road

Don’t Forget to Air Back Up!

After your off-road adventure, bring your tires back to street-safe PSI (usually 30–37 PSI depending on your tire size).

Ways to Air Back Up:

1. Onboard air compressor (ARB, Viair, etc.)
2. Portable 12V compressor
3. CO₂ tanks (like Power Tank)
4. Local gas station with high-pressure pump

💡 Pro Tip: A good air system is just as important as airing down — don’t skip it!