Snow driving follows similar principles to sand -- you want to float on the surface. But ice and packed snow require enough pressure for the tire's siping and tread to grip.
| Setup | PSI Range |
|---|---|
| Standard Wheels | 18-26 PSI (aim to float) |
| Beadlock Wheels | 14-18 PSI with beadlocks |
Similar approach to sand -- aim to float, not dig. On packed snow or ice, a touch more PSI can help tread bite. Deep powder benefits from lower pressures. Winter-rated tires make a bigger difference than PSI alone.
Going too low on ice -- you need some tire stiffness for the siping to work. Not adjusting for temperature -- cold air reduces tire pressure naturally (about 1 PSI per 10 degrees F drop).
| Vehicle | Weight | Recommended PSI |
|---|---|---|
| Jeep Wrangler JL / JLU | 4,200 - 5,300 lbs | 18-22 |
| Toyota 4Runner (5th & 6th Gen) | 4,400 - 5,000 lbs | 18-22 |
| Ford F-150 / Raptor / Tremor | 4,500 - 5,700 lbs | 22-26 |
| Toyota Tacoma (3rd & 4th Gen) | 4,200 - 4,800 lbs | 18-22 |
| Ford Bronco / Bronco Raptor | 4,300 - 5,500 lbs | 18-22 |
| Rivian R1T / R1S | 6,800 - 7,200 lbs | 24-28 |
| Rivian R1T / R1S (20" LT Upgrade) | 6,800 - 7,200 lbs | 24-28 |
| Jeep Gladiator JT | 4,600 - 5,500 lbs | 20-24 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (300 Series / GX) | 5,600 - 6,000 lbs | 22-26 |