Airing Down Tires for Better Traction

Airing Down

The chart below is a distillation of manufacturers guidelines.  It is only a suggestion.  Depending upon the width of your rims and your driving style, you may be safe at much lower pressures or you may manage to blow a bead at much higher pressures.  The pressures listed below are suggested low pressures.  In other words, you are probably in good shape if you keep the pressure above that shown in the chart. 

Bear in mind that the width of the rim that the tire is mounted on can make a big difference in retaining the bead while aired down.  With the same tire, at the same pressure, an 8" wide rim is more likely to retain the bead than a 10" rim.  The difference can be significant.  With the same tire, those running a narrower rim can often safely run significantly less pressure than those with a wider rim.  Of course, a narrower rim tends to better protected by bulge of the sidewall as well.

REMEMBER:  An aired down tires handles much differently than tire at street pressure.  It also builds up heat much faster than at street pressure.  Be smart.  If you must drive on a hard surface after airing down, keep your speed way down.

Additional Data