What are the best tyres for your 4WD?

In Australia, 4WDs are one of the quickest-growing markets for new vehicle purchases. With an abundance of sizes and usages, 4WDs really are one of the most versatile vehicle options one can explore.

When choosing the right tyres for your 4WD, ask yourself, ‘How often will I use my 4WD off-road?’ ‘How often will I use it on-road?’ The intended use of your vehicle is an important consideration when selecting the right tyres for your 4WD, as the tyres' features may vary. Some are better suited for off-road conditions such as dirt, rock, mud, and so on, whereas other types of tyres are designed predominantly for sealed roads.

In addition, there might be a variety of reasons why people upgrade their tyres. Some drivers, for example, may upgrade to high-performance tyres to improve handling, braking, and traction when driving in difficult conditions, such as heavy rain or snow. Other drivers might change them for purely aesthetic reasons, looking to improve the look of their vehicle without regard to performance.

Keeping this in mind, let’s go over three types of 4WD tyres and their applications: highway-terrain (HT), all-terrain (AT), and mud-terrain (MT).

Let’s dig deeper, shall we?

What 4WD tyres to buy at Tyrepower Cannington?

If you own a 4WD, ute, or SUV, at Tyrepower Cannington, we provide a wide variety of off-road tyres to suit your needs.

We can supply and fit a wide range of highway, all-terrain and mud-terrain tyres from leading manufacturers, such as Toyo, Cooper, Yokohama, Continental and Maxxis.

If you're looking to change your OE tyres over to an upgraded set, the first question to ask is 'how do I use my vehicle?' and think about what your expectations are.

There are various categories of 4WD and SUV tyres that perform well in various types of terrain. Unfortunately there are no perfect tyres, but choosing a tyre that suits a majority of your driving habits will get you the best results.

Highway terrain tyres (HT)

low angle of a car driving on a well-sealed highway road, towards a distant mountain

Highway-terrain (HT) tyres have been designed to be driven predominantly on sealed roads. As a result, if you intend to use your 4WD primarily on roads rather than off roads, these tyres are the best option for your driving needs.

The main features of HT tyres include good tread wear, a low load index, a high-speed rating, and good handling capabilities on wet bitumen. Thanks to these qualities, you will enjoy a comfortable and quiet ride.

All-terrain tyres (AT)

All-terrain (AT) tyres can be used on both on-road and off-road surfaces. They are versatile tyres that provide a good balance between sealed and tough terrain.

These tyres have a deeper and more aggressive tread pattern than highway tyres, which allows them to provide additional grip for off-road driving.

The main features of AT tyres include deep and aggressive tread, a moderate load index, a moderate speed rating, and thick and strong sidewalls. You will enjoy good on-road comfort, increased off-road grip, and greater durability thanks to these features.

At Tyrepower Cannington, we provide a wide range of AT tyres.

Mud terrain tyres (MT)

There are various categories of 4WD and SUV tyres that perform well in various types of terrain

Mud-Terrain tyres (MT) have been designed to be used predominantly off-road. They feature an aggressive and self-cleaning tread pattern and are made for muddy conditions. In comparison with AT and HT tyres, MT tyres’ tread pattern has a higher rolling resistance, which leads to increased road noise and fuel consumption.

Their aggressive tread pattern has larger and deeper lugs, which offer better traction and stability in muddy or loose terrain. These tyres also tend to have more durable construction, which helps them handle rough conditions.

Summary

Highway-terrain (HT) tyres have been designed to be driven predominantly on sealed roads. Mud terrain tyres have more aggressive treads than AT or HT tyres, which typically withstand Australia's toughest terrain. Because of their high rolling resistance, MT tyres are less effective on sealed roads, which leads to increased fuel consumption and road noise.

The main features of MT tyres include large and open tread patterns, a high load index, a low-speed rating, and durable construction. Thanks to these features, MT tyres perform well across a wide range of challenging surface conditions, including steep terrain, loose gravel, sand, and mud. They are also ideal for heavy off-roading duties, and offer high puncture resistance.

Get your 4WD tyres at Tyrepower Cannington

Tyrepower isn’t just Australia’s largest independent tyre retailer, our stores are locally owned and operated by enthusiasts who will take care of your vehicle just like it was their own.

At Tyrepower Cannington, we offer highway-terrain, all-terrain, and mud-terrain tyres from leading brands such as Toyo, Cooper, Yokohama, Continental and Maxxis. We offer first-rate customer service, affordable prices, and the best guidance to help you find the ideal 4WD tyres for your driving requirements.