Stop using "one-size-fits-all" tire pressures - a science based guide to the right tire pressure

[parb]

I wrote this guide after seeing a bunch of nonsensical statements made in offroad videos on YouTube.
For the best ride and traction, your pressure must be calculated based on vehicle weight and tire volume, not just what's printed on your door jamb.

Why it matters:

• Pneumatic Springs: Correct PSI allows tires to absorb high-frequency energy, saving your suspension and making the ride MUCH better
• Load vs. Volume: A 35" tire needs less dense air than a 33" to carry the same weight -sounds counter intuitive but it is true
• Precision: I’ve crunched the load-inflation math so you don’t have to.

I’ve included a cheat sheet table for common sizes (34s, 35s, etc.) and specific settings for highway, rock, sand, and snow.

Check out the full guide and the cheat sheet here: The Science of Tire Pressure

 

[Dokatd]

I wrote this guide after seeing a bunch of nonsensical statements made in offroad videos on YouTube.
For the best ride and traction, your pressure must be calculated based on vehicle weight and tire volume, not just what's printed on your door jamb.

Why it matters:

• Pneumatic Springs: Correct PSI allows tires to absorb high-frequency energy, saving your suspension and making the ride MUCH better
• Load vs. Volume: A 35" tire needs less dense air than a 33" to carry the same weight -sounds counter intuitive but it is true
• Precision: I’ve crunched the load-inflation math so you don’t have to.

I’ve included a cheat sheet table for common sizes (34s, 35s, etc.) and specific settings for highway, rock, sand, and snow.

Check out the full guide and the cheat sheet here: The Science of Tire Pressure

Good education or reminder!! This has bugged me for decades. The worst is the guy who airs up to max pressure of the tire.

I use chalk or even sometimes spray paint to get as close as possible to best possible street wear.

Sometimes the manufacturer will publish a rolling radius target. That's helpful too.

 

[parb]

I should mention that you need to adjust the pressure with the seasons. The tables are fixed and based on weight but you lose or gain 1 psi for every 10 degrees F change. This do vary a but based on how you drive but i would just adjust with the seasons for let's say every 20 pr 30 degrees temperature change

 

[Dokatd]

I should mention that you need to adjust the pressure with the seasons. The tables are fixed and based on weight but you lose or gain 1 psi for every 10 degrees F change. This do vary a but based on how you drive but i would just adjust with the seasons for let's say every 20 pr 30 degrees temperature change

If you don't mention it then the Grenadier TPMS will certainly do it. So frustrating here in Texas since we have such huge daily swings.

 

[parb]

Yeah, i think those on high altitude or desert conditions with cold nights and hot days are having a bit of a bother. Its a bit unfortunate that they made the temp change from set point to alert a fixed interval, i think it's too narrow.

I also find it really annoying that off-road mode doesn't mute the tpms pressure alert. I'm pretty much always aired down when I'm in off-road mode.

 

[Dokatd]

That's another item, off-road. You lay out pressures for off-road situations. I certainly understand the militant attitude for this and I have CTIS trucks that follow the same sort of pressures, but rocks or more specifically rock crawling requires much lower pressures. I'm not suggesting hard core rock crawling, but even more tame places like Moab will be vastly better at about 12psi rather than something upwards of 20psi. You start to get into comfort and tire protection zones depending on conditions. Tire protection can change pressures up or down.

I guess what I am saying is that once you get into certain rocky or even rooted terrain things become a little less scientific. And I hate seeing people beat themselves up on the trail with double the pressure they need.

But sub 10-12psi you will start to need bead locks for sure.