Always Follow Your Vehicle Manufacturer's Tire Pressure Settings
Your vehicle and tire manufacturers publish recommended tire pressures for a reason — usually on a placard inside the driver's door jamb, in the owner's manual, or on the tire sidewall itself. Staun deflators are a precision tool for reaching a target pressure exactly; they do not decide what that target should be. Choosing a target PSI, including any pressure below factory-recommended street settings for off-road use, is the operator's decision and at their own risk.
Operating at Non-Factory Pressures Is at the Operator's Own Risk
Airing down below factory-recommended street pressure is a common, widely used off-road technique that improves traction on sand, mud, rock, and snow. It also changes how your tire behaves. Running any tire pressure other than what your vehicle or tire manufacturer recommends for on-road driving — including for off-road use — is done at the operator's own risk. Staun Tyre Deflators is not responsible for damage, injury, or loss resulting from a target pressure the operator selects.
Know the Risks Before You Air Down
- Abnormal or accelerated tire wear. Under-inflated tires flex more and can wear unevenly, especially if driven any real distance on pavement before reinflating.
- Bead unseating and rapid air loss. At low pressure, a tire's bead can break its seal with the wheel rim under hard cornering, side-loading, or impact — venting air immediately and, in some cases, fully. This risk increases the lower the pressure, which is part of why beadlock wheels exist for very low-pressure use (see below).
- Sidewall damage. A softer, more flexible sidewall is more exposed to cuts, punctures, and impact damage from rocks and trail debris than a fully inflated tire.
- Reduced high-speed stability and handling. An under-inflated tire responds differently to steering input and load transfer. Airing down is intended for low-speed off-road use, not highway speeds.
- Heat buildup. Sustained driving at speed on an under-inflated tire generates excess heat in the tire structure, which increases the risk of tire failure.
- TPMS warnings. Most vehicles will trigger a tire pressure warning light when tires are aired down below the factory setting. This is expected, not a malfunction — but don't ignore a warning that persists after you've reinflated back to factory pressure for road use.
Remove Every Deflator Before Moving or Driving the Vehicle
A Staun deflator is a set-it-and-remove-it tool, not something to drive on. Once each deflator stops at your target PSI, remove all of them from the valve stems before the vehicle is moved or driven, on or off the trail.
Reinflate Before Returning to Normal Road Speeds
Air back up to your vehicle manufacturer's recommended street pressure before driving at highway speeds or for any extended distance on pavement. Airing down is a trail technique, not a replacement for your everyday tire pressure.
Running Beadlocks? A Few Additional Notes
Beadlock wheels mechanically clamp the tire bead to the wheel, which is why they're commonly paired with very low pressures like Staun's Low Range. Beadlocks are separate hardware from your deflators and have their own installation, torque, and maintenance requirements from the wheel manufacturer — follow those specifications, and have beadlock wheels installed and inspected by a qualified technician if you're not confident doing it yourself.
Inspect your Tires
Before and after airing down, visually inspect each tire for cuts, bulges, embedded debris, or any other abnormal condition. A tire pressure reading that matches your target doesn't rule out damage.
Pressure Changes With Temperature
Tire pressure drops as ambient and tire temperature drop, and rises as they climb — roughly 1 PSI per 10°F of change. A target PSI set at a cold trailhead in the morning will read differently by afternoon. Recheck pressures if conditions change significantly during your trip. For checking PSI and making minor air-down adjustments on the trail, we recommend a quality tire pressure gauge like the one at SKÖG Tools.
Questions About a Specific Setup?
If you're unsure what target pressure is right for your vehicle, tires, and conditions, check your owner's manual or consult a qualified tire professional.
Contact UsThis page is general safety information, not a substitute for your vehicle or tire manufacturer's instructions or professional advice. Staun Tyre Deflators makes no representation about the safety of any specific target pressure for any specific vehicle, tire, load, or condition. The operator is solely responsible for selecting a safe target pressure and for the safe operation of the vehicle.