If you thought that getting the wrong car is the absolute worst that could happen to a car lover, then think again. You would be surprised to know that the charm of a perfect car instantly fades away if it is not supported with the right type of tires.
Long gone are the days when tires were available with minimalistic features. Modern technology has brought a revolution in the automobile industry with the innovation of on-road and off-road tires. Both of these tires have been useful in making vehicles more user-friendly.
Are Off-Road Tires Good On the Road? Off-road tires can, in fact, be used on the road, but they are not a good option. To provide additional traction, off-roading/mud tires have thick tread patterns on the tires and treads on the side walls. As a result, they make a lot of noise on the road and wear out quickly. At high speeds, the ride is rough and the vehicle handling is poor.
However, many users are under the assumption that off-road tires can be paired with any car. I am here to debunk this misconception. In short, are off-road tires good on the road?
In this post, I will discuss in detail whether off-road tires are a good fit for driving on regular roads, or are they good for just UTVs or dirt bikes. So let’s begin and find the solutions for all of your tiring-tire problems.
Table of Contents
What Is an Off-Road Tire?
Firstly, off-road tires are famous for their unique tread patterns that are characterized to be large and broad. Secondly, its grooves are wide enough to drastically improve the performance of your vehicle. Lastly, the reinforced sidewalls supporting these tires increase their resistance to punctures.
What Is the Use of Off-Road Tires?
Off-road tires are suitable for driving on uneven and difficult surfaces. Your vehicle can smoothly pass through snow, mud, rocks, and even boulders if it is equipped with a good pair of off-road tires. Furthermore, users who intend to use their 4×4 for agricultural purposes should opt for off-road tires as it is nothing but a smart choice for them.
Difference Between On-Road and Off-Road Tires
In this section, I have simplified the major differences between on-road and off-road tires so that you can make an informed decision and pick the best for your vehicle.
On-Road Tires
On-Road tires are similar to conventional tires as they let you navigate your vehicles smoothly. They also support vehicles with a fair amount of traction for wet roads. In addition to this, most on-road tires create low tread noise, which means you can enjoy a quiet drive with them.
Pros
- Suitable to use on paved roads and highways
- Function with low tread noise
- Have better fuel efficiency
Cons
- Limited to on-road use only
Off-Road Tires
The large and spaced treads of these tires offer you the freedom to drive through some of the most difficult areas. Its special structure makes it highly resistant to puncture. These tires produce noise when used on paved roads and urban areas.
A lesser-known fact about off-road tires is that they have a short tread life because of the soft rubber compound used in their construction. With an off-road tire, your vehicle will experience a major low in its fuel efficiency.
Pros
- Enables driving through difficult areas
- Has high puncture resistance
- Suitable for driving on normal surfaces as well
Cons
- Suffers from shorter tread life
- Causes a drastic impact on fuel efficiency
Types of Off-Road Tires
For the ease and convenience of customers, off-road tires are now available with versatile features and fall under different categories. Keep reading to understand the different types of off-road tires and their uses.
All-Terrain Tires
All-Terrain tires can single-handedly tackle the challenges of both off-road and on-road driving. These tires consist of huge tread patterns and have a more sophisticated shoulder design. As a result, these offer nothing but a smooth ride and make a good choice for SUVs like Jeep Cherokee.
Its smart interlocked tread pattern enables you to smoothly ride over grass, gravel, rocks, and dirt. Staying true to their claim of being an all-rounder, these tires will cater to every driving need of yours. Most importantly, these tires can easily survive 50,000 miles without any wear and tear.
Snow Tires
If driving through snow and ice is not your forte, then getting a snow tire is a must for you. These tires are a type of seasonal tire.
A snow tire is made with a special type of rubber, which complements its design and makes it flexible. These tires have mini grooves that improve their performance, and surprisingly enough, let them dig smoothly into wet snow and ice.
Mud-Terrain Tires
Vehicles equipped with these tires smoothly glide over every sort of muddy terrain. Mud-terrain tires provide balance and improved traction because of the wide tread blocks installed in them.
With a heavy-duty structure, these tires remain protected and safe from damage. Since the large tread blocks are the main element in its functioning, therefore it is no surprise that these tires have a downside of creating noise and disturbance.
Rock Tires
Driving through a desert or any rocky mountain has become possible with rock tires. Rock tires have a high reinforcement level and remain unaffected whenever they come in contact with sharp edges and rough patches.
How to Select an Off-Road Tire?
Keep in mind the following factors for selecting the best off-road tire for your vehicle:
Decide the Terrain
It is worthwhile to invest your time and energy in deciding the type of terrain where you will be driving your vehicle. Experts recommend that users should drive vehicles with off-road tires around 80% of the time.
If an off-road tire is used more for on-road driving then it gradually deteriorates in quality and performance. Having a clear idea about your preferred terrain will help you narrow down options for selecting the most appropriate type of off-road tire.
Select a Tire Size
Sizing plays an essential role in the overall performance of an off-road tire. Having large-sized off-road tires strengthens your vehicle and protects it from rocks and unwanted bumps. Pairing your vehicle with small off-road tires is the absolute worse choice to make and hence it should be avoided at all costs.
Determine the Tire Type
Off-road tires are not single type products and are available in various forms. Even though all off-road tires share some common features, still they shouldn’t be used to substitute for each other. For example, using a mud-terrain tire on icy and snow-covered surfaces is a bad move and will harm your vehicle.
Take time and educate yourself regarding the multiple types of off-road tires. Do thorough research regarding the pros and cons of every type and select any one type accordingly.
Check the Vehicle
Every automobile is a combination of various parts and machinery. It is important to remember that tires are just one part of the grand scheme of a vehicle. Whichever type of off-road tire you select, do make sure that it is compatible with the rest of your vehicle.
Are Off-Road Tires Good on Road?
Whether you are a newbie or a professional, you still might be confused about whether off-road tires are good on the road or not? Unfortunately, there is no one-word answer to this dilemma.
Off-road tires can be used on regular roads, highways, urban and suburban areas. However, it should be noted that these tires are not perfect for on-road driving on a regular basis.
Conclusion
Off-road tires won’t be a disappointment once you start using them for serious on-road traveling. If you are looking for an off-road tire with decent performance and multiple features, then an all-terrain tire is the one you should go for.
We hope that the above-shared information will prove to be useful in solving all of your concerns and queries.
