Glossary / General

air down

14 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

Airing down means letting some air out of the tires. This helps the tires grip better on rough surfaces, making it easier to drive off-road.

Technical Definition

Airing down refers to the practice of reducing tire pressure to improve traction and ride comfort, especially in off-road conditions. Lower tire pressure allows the tire to conform better to the terrain, increasing the contact patch and enhancing grip.

Hear It Discussed

"the ride quality over these horrible roads i was able to air those down they have inner tubes in them"
Never Build a Whole Car: Autopian's David Tracy and Griffin Riley The Smoking Tire 54:08

"My guess is the sidewall stiffness of that and the tread blocks of an off-road tire, which, you know, sidewalls price is softer, you know, when you air down and those big chunky tread blocks, you..."
Ferrari's Fake Manual? The Future of Driving Just Got Complicated Full Throttle Talk 52:23

"Also, beadlock capable wheels are available in the ZR2 so you can air down. You can have a lot of sidewall, traction."
Can The New 2027 Chevy Silverado 1500 Beat Ford And Ram? | Ep. 336 TFL Talkin' Trucks 10:42