When it comes to your SUV or 4WD, your choice of tyres isn’t just about aesthetics. Tyres profoundly impact your safety, your vehicle’s performance and your overall driving experience. But when there are so many tyres on the market for SUVs and 4WDs, how do you know which is best for your vehicle?
We can help steer you through the maze of options. In this in-depth guide, we’ll break down the crucial factors that should help guide your decision-making process, ensuring you find the ideal tyres that seamlessly align with your driving habits and preferences.
1. Tailoring Tyres to Your Terrain
First things first, understand where your SUV or 4WD will be venturing. Do you mostly traverse the urban jungle with only occasional weekend escapes to dirt roads? Or are you an off-road aficionado, likely to take regular thrilling adventures on rough terrain? Defining your primary driving environment will lay the foundation for the kind of tyres that can best handle your journeys. What you need in the city will differ from what you need on a muddy bush track.
2. Size and Specifications: Your Tyre’s DNA
Get cosy with your vehicle’s manual or sneak a peek at your current tyres’ sidewall for the size and specifications. Tyre dimensions influence everything from your vehicle’s handling to its speedometer accuracy. It’s pretty vital to pick tyres that snugly fit your vehicle, and the best advice is to go with tyres that match or very closely resemble the tyre chosen by the manufacturer of the vehicle (the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) tyres).
In the four-wheel-driving world, however, it’s not uncommon for off-road enthusiasts to ‘upsize’ their tyres (choose tyres larger than the OEM tyres). The purpose is to give the vehicle more clearance from the ground, which is useful when driving through wet and rough terrain.
While ‘upsizing’ tyres is possible, it comes with complications. To start with, fitting larger tyres increases rolling diameter, which means your braking distance increases (not a good thing in an emergency). Secondly, it affects fuel efficiency, so you’ll use more fuel. Thirdly, your vehicle’s centre of gravity will rise, meaning an increased chance your vehicle could tip over. Finally, there are legal limits on how large you go without an engineer’s certificate from an automotive engineer, confirming that the modification meets the Australian Design Rules (ADR).
All up, it makes sense to stick with your vehicle’s prescribed tyre size, and if you need to adjust for terrain, it might be wiser to look at how you can do this via your tyre traction choice, which leads us to our next point.
3. Tread Patterns: Unravelling the Terrain Code
Tread patterns have a surprising amount of impact on a vehicle’s traction on the road. If you have the wrong kind of tread pattern for the driving you intend to do, then you’ll have less control than you need.
The terrains you plan to conquer should guide your tread pattern choice. For city slickers and highway cruisers, all-terrain tyres strike a harmonious balance between on-road comfort and off-road versatility. If you drive rugged terrains, then mud-terrain tyres are tailor-made for handling the challenges of muddy, rocky, and uneven surfaces.
If you’re unsure of which option will best suit your driving needs, contact Jim’s Mobile Tyres. We can provide clarity on which tyres will work best for your vehicle and driving plans, and make sure you’re not choosing tyres with the wrong tread.
4. Loading Up: The Weighty Matter of Load-Carrying Capacity
Whether it’s passengers or payloads, your SUV or 4WD often carries its fair share of weight. Opt for tyres that boast the load-carrying capacity your vehicle requires, ensuring that your vehicle’s performance remains uncompromised even when faced with heavy loads. You can usually find guidance on how much weight your vehicle can carry in your vehicle’s owner manual, plus what pressure your tyres need to be at for different loads.
So before buying tyres and/or embarking on a journey, make sure you have an accurate idea of the likely weight you will carry, so that you can choose the most appropriate tyres. It’s worth having tyres professionally fitted too, as the tyre specialist will ensure that the air pressure is suitable for your vehicle and its load. Note, air pressure will need to be adjusted each time you increase/decrease the load you are carrying. (With a heavier load, you need to increase the pressure, and with a lighter load, decrease.) Jim’s Mobile Tyres provide convenient tyre pressure checks at your location, if you don’t have time to do it yourself.
5. Prioritise Safety: Understanding Speed Ratings for Tyres
Respecting speed limits and prioritising safety should always be a top concern. Standard speed ratings are designed to ensure optimal performance within legal speed limits. It’s important to choose tyres with speed ratings that align with the recommended guidelines for your vehicle.
Remember, safe driving practices not only protect you but also everyone else on the road. Always drive responsibly and within designated speed limits
6. Weather Warriors: Battling the Elements
Weather is a pivotal player in the tyre selection game. If you reside in a four-season land, all-season tyres flex their adaptability muscles. However, if icy roads or snowy escapades are in scope, winter tyres offer the traction you need. Meanwhile, for zones that experience relentless heat, opt for a tyre designed to withstand high temperatures.
7. The Marathon Factor: Tread Life and Durability
Get your detective cap on and investigate the projected tread life of potential tyres. While premium options might be more pricey upfront, their extended lifespan often translates to a better return on your investment in the long run.
8. Balancing Budget and Quality
Money matters, of course, but don’t let it be the sole compass for your tyre journey. Quality and safety shouldn’t be compromised. Seek out reputable brands renowned for crafting durable and reliable tyres that ensure your peace of mind on the road. Also look for great tyre deals. (Jim’s Mobile Tyres have great relationships with a range of top tyre brands and can source tyres at a competitive price.)
9. Seek the Wisdom of Experts
Still feeling overwhelmed with the choices? Let the experts at tyre shops help. Once they understand your driving habits and look at your vehicle specs, they’ll provide a tyre recommendation that puts you on the right track.
In Closing: The Road to Tyre Bliss
Selecting the ideal tyres for your beloved SUV or 4WD involves a number of considerations. To choose the right tyres, you need to factor in your driving goals, vehicle particulars, likely load capacity, weather challenges, and budget. Once you do all that, you’ll be able to narrow down the choices from the wide field of 4WD and SUV tyres.
If you want to make the decision easier, get an expert’s help. A Jim’s Mobile Tyre specialist can do the research for you and identify the best tyres for your vehicle and driving. You can then relax in the knowledge that you’ve got the right tyres for your needs. Contact us for 4WD/SUV tyre orders today.
