Can you use off road tyres on road?
Here at Offroad 4×4 Bathhurst, we think it’s important to understand the significant differences between off-road and on-road tyres and whether your driving circumstances require you to have off-road tyres for your vehicle.
What’s the difference between off-road and on-road tyres?
Off-road and on-road tyres are specially designed and tailored to the environment that they are to be used in, so on-road tyres are designed to have a smoother and sleeker shape that provides an even ride on paved roads and highways.
Their shape enables them to easily glide over bumps on the road and their traction allows them to work just as efficiently in rainy or foggy weather conditions. On the other hand, off-road tyres are much more equipped to handle rocky and rougher terrain – including sand and mud – thanks to their open-tread design with greater traction.
Despite their name, off-road tyres are suitable to be driven on the regular road, however, we would like to give you some tips and advice about this below.
Should I use off-road tyres on the road?
The versatility of off-road tyres means that they can be used for the road, but if you are never off-road, they seem pretty unnecessary for your vehicle especially as they have a shorter tread life as a result of their soft rubber materials.
It is recommended that your vehicle has off-road tyres if you spend at least a third of your time driving off-road. If you do drive off-road and spend a considerable amount of time on some off-roading adventures, then it’s key to make sure that your vehicle has the right style of off-road tyre!
What kinds of off-road tyres are there?
– Cross terrain tyres
These versatile tyres are the perfect combination of off-road traction and on-road ease. These are the recommended style of off-road tyre for smaller 4×4 vehicles.
– All-terrain tyres
The ability to tackle all forms of the terrain is extremely useful for larger 4x4s that may encounter mud, grass, shallow water or snow. These tyres are recommended for those who spend 80% of their time driving on-road and 20% off-road.
– Mud terrain tyres
Opposite to Alt-T tyres, these tyres are designed to withstand 80% off-road driving and 20% on-road driving. They have an increased grip force which is perfect for varying terrains.
What kind of off-road tyre should I get?
We know that every driver is different, and each driver wants their own style of driving experience with their 4×4. So, based on your driving style and where you take your vehicle, we urge you to consider the following
– Do you want to make sure you have a wet and dry grip?
– Are you predominantly off-road or on-road?
– Do you want high performance or something more comfortable?
Considering the needs of your 4×4 vehicle and weighing up the terrains you hope to cover, you’ll be able to find the perfect tyres for you. If you would like some advice on which tyres are appropriate for your 4×4, contact us at Offroad 4×4 Bathhurst.
We stock a selection of trusted and top-quality tyre brands that suit the varying terrain across Australia that we can also install for you. Visit us in Bathhurst today to view our collection of off-road tyres.
