What Should the Tire Pressure Be Adjusted to in the Desert?
2 Answers
Tire pressure in the desert should be adjusted to 1.6~2.0 bar. Lowering the pressure can improve the vehicle's off-road capability. Hazards of excessive tire pressure: Reduced tire friction and adhesion, affecting braking performance; causes steering wheel vibration and deviation, reducing driving comfort; accelerates uneven wear on the central tread pattern, shortening tire lifespan; increases body vibration, indirectly affecting the lifespan of other components; overextends tire cords, reducing elasticity and increasing the load on the vehicle during driving; decreases puncture resistance. When encountering sharp objects like nails or glass on the road, they can easily penetrate the tire, leading to internal cracks or blowouts, resulting in a tire burst. Hazards of insufficient tire pressure: Increases friction with the road surface, raising fuel consumption; makes the steering wheel heavy and prone to deviation, compromising driving safety; increases movement in various parts of the tire, causing excessive rolling and abnormal heat generation; reduces the functionality of cords and rubber, leading to delamination or cord breakage, and excessive friction with the rim, damaging the bead area and causing abnormal wear; multiplies friction between the tire and the ground, sharply raising tire temperature, softening the tire, and drastically reducing its strength. High-speed driving may lead to a tire burst; increases tire deformation, making the sidewalls prone to cracks and generating flexing motion, leading to excessive heat, accelerating rubber aging, cord fatigue, and breakage, while also increasing the tire's contact area with the ground, accelerating shoulder wear.
When driving in the desert, you need to lower the tire pressure, say to around 15-25 psi. I’ve been in the desert off-roading scene for over a decade and have seen plenty of rookies drive in without adjusting their tire pressure, only to get stuck in the sand. Lower pressure increases the tire’s contact area with the sand, improving traction and preventing wheel spin. The exact pressure depends on your vehicle’s weight, tire type, and sand conditions: don’t go below 15 psi for regular tires, while off-road-specific ones can drop to around 12 psi. The key is to carry a tire pressure gauge and gradually deflate to the recommended level before entering the desert, then slowly accelerate to test. If it feels unstable, let out a bit more air. Also, daytime desert heat naturally raises tire pressure slightly, so starting a bit lower is better. After leaving the desert, don’t forget to reset to normal pressure—usually around 35 psi—to avoid excessive wear or handling issues on paved roads. I’d suggest checking your vehicle manual or consulting experienced off-roaders before heading out to prevent damage.
