Tires for off-road: how to know which one suits you

off-road

In the same way that you look for the most suitable footwear for the purpose that you are going to make. The same happens with the tires of the car. They are probably the element that most depends on the safety of the vehicle. Best tires for off-road.

Asphalt? Yes, most of the time, but there are vehicles that besides needing dry. And wet grip when driving on the road (generating little noise and consumption). They need to fulfill other tasks because they go out of it. We are talking about off-road tires. Which in addition to meeting all the above conditions must be solvent in different terrains and changing conditions.

In a perfect world there would be an ideal tire for any use. But it is impossible (despite the multiple attempts of the manufacturers). To the changing climatic conditions in which they must be used, in SUVs and SUVs it is added that they are heavier vehicles and the varied surfaces through which they can move (asphalt, dirt, mud, stones …)

To choose the best tires for off-road you have to take into account various issues. The main difference with respect to the conventional ones is the depth of drawing and its reinforced casing. As standard, most SUVs and SUVs usually have rubber tires designed for a main use on the road and are enough to travel on simple tracks, but it could be interesting to choose others depending on the type of vehicle you have and where you plan to move.

Type of all-wheel driveoff-road

To choose the right tires, start by identifying your 4 × 4 vehicle (do not even consider changing the standard ones with a 4 × 2). There are two main categories:

Non-permanent transmission : AWD (All-Wheel Drive) vehicles have a non-permanent integral transmission type. They can pass from two to four driving wheels depending on the loss of grip. This is the majority of SUVs with all-wheel drive, because in this way they optimize road consumption (only having to move the wheels of an axle) and can enter roads with a minimum of safety.

Permanent transmission : The term 4WD (Four-Wheel Drive) designates vehicles whose four wheels are motive in all circumstances. Jeep Wrangler or the Subaru Forester , to name two examples.

Where do you plan to circulate?off-road

Depending on the type of surface you plan to drive, some off-road tires will be better than others:

Normal roads : Asphalt is best for low profile tires and soft compounds, to provide better stability and grip on smooth surfaces.

Ground tracks : In these areas it is better to use high profile tires, with a wider rubber that protects against cuts and punctures. Type A / T (by the English abbreviations All Terrain, all terrain) begin to be indicated.

Water and mud : If you tend to drive through rainy areas, with tracks full of mud, it is best to bet on thinner tires, able to go deeper into the mud in search of the hardest terrain (with low pressure).

Sands : To move through dunes and sandy terrain the opposite occurs, you have to look for a wide wheel, to prevent the vehicle from sinking into the ground.

Stones : This is the terrain that most demands tires. Here the ideal is to have a housing as flexible as possible, able to adapt to sudden changes in the surface without breaking. Keep reading- The six fastest cars in the world

Types of tires for off-roadoff-road

Now that you know the type of vehicle and have identified where you are going to move, it is time to choose a tire. There are three main categories in which to divide them, which we explain below.

You must remember that all off-road tires, even those oriented exclusively to asphalt, all have the abbreviations M + S on the sidewall (Mud + Snow). We had already talked at length about the M + S tires , so let’s focus on what interests us:

4×4 tires, mixedoff-road

They are the most versatile and versatile option. A / T (All Terrain) labeling is on display , and 4 × 4 vehicles are used for both on-road and off-road use. They have good behavior on dry and wet roads and are able to maintain adequate motor skills on soft ground (dirt, snow or mud) or gravel. They differ from conventional ones in:

Deeper drawing on the rubber, so that the car adheres better to the ground.

More robust housing, with reinforced sidewalls to better resist the impact of stones.

Within this type of A / T tires subdivisions have appeared, depending on whether you are going to use them more on asphalt or outside it (A / T tires 40% road or A / T 40% field). If you want to improve the off-road capabilities of your vehicle, a good idea is to choose tires of the same width, but with a more profile number . This increases its outside diameter and raises the surface of rubber and air on the ground, thereby absorbing better stones and potholes. To do this, ask a professional or learn to read the tires .

Tires 4 × 4 off-roadoff-road

You will distinguish them with the M / T label (Mud Terrain). And they are the most suitable for an intensive update outside the asphalt. On steep roads and that must overcome obstacles. They are capable of resisting extreme aggression and hence they have very different elements such as:

Very reinforced structure, especially the flanks.

Wide rubber blocks to better evacuate mud.

Very high ubujo proportion (50% of the tire) and with a very large depth (from 13 to 17 mm).

They have their counterpart, of course, and that is that the benefits on the road are greatly reduced. With that depth of drawing, adhesion is lost (especially in the wet) and generate much more rolling noise than a conventional tire, in addition to increasing consumption. And is that its design has been designed to be used more than 80% off the asphalt. Regulation EU 458/2011 includes the concept of a professional off-road tire. Indicated on the sidewall with the letters “POR” (professional off-road).

4 × 4 road tiresoff-road

They are distinguished by the H / T (Highway Terrain) label. And are designed for SUVs that move mainly on asphalt (city, highway and highway). Its performance is similar to that of passenger car tires in grip, braking, durability and comfort. It is due to its characteristics:

Soft and light structure, the best for a smooth and agile driving.

Flexible flanks.

Low rolling resistance

Tire maintenance 4 × 4off-road

With the concepts a little more clarified. It is time to know several tips so that their conservation is optimal and the tires last longer :

Pressures : In any of the types of tire for 4 × 4 that we have described it is possible to adjust the tire pressure depending on the surface. On asphalt and hard tracks you can go with the recommended. But you can upload a few tenths very loaded or lower them if you face mud or snow. Or even more if you drive through sand dunes.

Several games : It is ideal, to have two complete sets (tire + rim) of wheels, some A / T for all use in the original size of the car and another with larger diameter M / T tires for off road routes.

Replacement : If you are one of those who dare with off-road adventures, always carry two complete spare wheels (especially if you go solo).

Substitution : They have to be replaced four by four. It is not for rubber manufacturers to get richer. But the transmission must have tires with an equivalent level of wear so that some delicate mechanical parts (and repair faces), such as the differential , are not damaged . To save money, it is best to rotate the tires . You can do it if you change the station tires ( summer tire and winter tire ). Or rotate them three times throughout their useful life.

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