Introduction
Driving in the desert is a skill that takes time to master, but understanding the basics can significantly enhance your initial desert adventures. In the third episode of desert driving tips brought to you by Ford, experts guide you through the steps needed to deflate your tires before hitting the sand.
The Importance of Deflating Tires
Novice drivers venturing into desert driving may not realize how crucial it is to deflate their tires—or how much easier it is to navigate sandy terrain with significantly reduced tire pressure. Deflating the tires flattens them, increasing the contact patch with the ground by approximately 25%, which helps distribute the vehicle's weight more evenly and reduces strain on the engine and other transmission components.
Steps to Deflate Your Tires
Mike Chavez, a co-host of the series and Senior Technician in the Product Development Department at Ford Middle East, states, "You need to deflate your tires so that your vehicle can 'float' on the sand. Softer tires conform to sandy surfaces rather than cutting through them like a knife. If you penetrate the sand, your vehicle will get stuck. You want to float on top, as if driving on clouds."
Methods for Deflating Tires
There are several ways to deflate your tires, but two quick methods involve removing the "Schrader" valve. Chavez advises that regardless of the method you choose, the optimal tire pressure for sand driving should be between 15 and 18 pounds per square inch.
Warnings
Chavez adds, "Do not deflate your tires excessively, as this could damage the rims or cause the tire to come off the wheel. This allows you to deflate further if needed; if your vehicle gets stuck in the sand, you can reduce the pressure to 10 pounds per square inch or even down to 5 if necessary to get out. Afterward, you should reinflate your tires to between 15 and 18 pounds per square inch to avoid any risk of damaging the rims or tires."
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