My tips for airing down tires for more offroad grip

March 21, 2025

If you’ve spent any time in the offroad world, you’ve probably heard people talk about airing down their tires. But what does that really mean, and why is it so important for offroading, especially if you’re driving a Subaru? I’ll share the major benefits and some things that I use for air pressure management in my offroad tires.

What Does It Mean to Air Down?

Airing down simply means lowering the air pressure in your tires when you leave the pavement. Instead of running the typical 32-35 PSI you’d use for daily driving, off-roaders often drop tire pressure to somewhere usually between 12-20 PSI, depending on the terrain and tire size.

Why Airing Down Helps

Lowering your tire pressure has a few key benefits that make a huge difference when you leave the pavement:

Better Traction & Less Risk Of Getting Stuck – With less air pressure, your tires have a larger contact patch, allowing them to grip slick surfaces like sand, mud, and snow more effectively.
Smoother Ride – Reduced tire pressure helps absorb bumps, making the ride more comfortable and less jarring on rocky trails.
Reduced Wear on Your Suspension – Instead of your suspension taking every hit from rocks and ruts, your softer tires help absorb some of that impact.

How Low Should You Go?

The ideal pressure depends on your tires, vehicle weight, and terrain. So experimentation is the best way to find the correct pressure for your setup. However, here are some general pressures that I run personally:

Sand: 12-15 PSI
Mud: 15-18 PSI
Rocky Trails and Bumpy Forest Roads: 18-20 PSI
Deep Snow: 8-15 PSI

For Subaru owners with all-terrain tires, starting around 18 PSI is a good balance of traction and safety. You can then adjust from there. If you’re on soft sand or deep snow, you might go lower but be cautious of de-beading a tire (when the tire comes off the wheel). This can happen easily when lateral force is applied to a tire that is at a low pressure.

How To Air Down

Airing down is easy, but having the right tools makes it quicker and more precise. Here’s what you’ll need:

Tire Deflators: Some deflators can be preset to your desired PSI. But I use a basic set of deflator caps that come on a keychain. Here is the one I’m currently using: Godeson Tire Deflator
Tire Gauge: To check your pressure as you go.
Portable Air Compressor: A must-have for airing back up before you hit pavement. I would recommend the Viair 88P at a minimum. But I am currently using a Viair 440P for faster inflation.

Airing down is one of the simplest ways to improve your off-road experience, and I’ve found it especially useful for Subarus to maximize traction on technical terrain. Just remember to bring an air compressor, know your PSI limits, and adjust based on conditions. It’s been an absolute game-changer for me. Give it a try next time you’re on the trail. You’ll feel the difference immediately!