Should I return my tyre pressures to normal as soon as I have finished transporting heavy loads?

When I have finished using my Ford Kuga for transporting heavy loads - with a trailer - does it matter if I continue to use the car for a day/week or two for local suburban driving before deflating the tyres to normal pressure, or should I deflate as soon as I decouple the trailer?

Asked on 12 September 2025 by Dermod Malley

Answered by David Ross

Adjusting tyre pressures to suit the load of the vehicle is important because it ensures that the contact patch of the tyre is correct based on the weight of the vehicle itself combined with the load. We would recommend reducing the tyre pressures if the load has been reduced or completely removed, as an overinflated tyre could result in a narrower contact patch, reducing grip and creating extra wear along the centre of the tyre.

Tags: tyre pressures wheels and tyres

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