On Or Off Road: Get The Most Out Of Your Tires

When you hear off-road or all-terrain tires, images of powerful 4x4 vehicles probably come to mind. While that’s definitely accurate, there’s much more to using these types of tires on your vehicle.

The World Of Off-Road And All-Terrain Tires

You don’t have to be a backwoods adventurer scaling mountains to get solid use out of off-road or all-terrain tires. With a unique tire pattern that uses a blocky heavy-duty tread, these can be useful in day-to-day driving if you need to power over rough, rocky or uneven terrain as part of your routine.

There was a time when driving with all-terrain tires on normal asphalt roads would quickly wear the rubber and cause mileage to plummet.

“Modern tire technology has helped reduce many of the traditional performance trade-offs you may have with all-terrain and max-traction tires,” said Iris Ocasio, Senior Product Planner of Consumer Product Strategy at Bridgestone Americas.

“Still, you may generally see lower mileage warranties and a smaller focus on a quiet ride as the tire has been tasked to offer off-road capability.” Ocasio explained the level of trade-off heavily depends on how ‘aggressive’ a driver decides to go with their tire.

When shopping for these specialty tires you may hear the term off-pavement. This doesn’t mean all-terrain.

Off-pavement just means what it says: non-paved roads. These could be access roads, rural roads, or even bumpy driveways. If you find yourself driving on these a lot, you may want to consider a type of rougher tire whether you drive an SUV, truck or even a car.

Off-Road Tires Aren’t Snow Tires

Some people think off-road or all-terrain means snow tires. Ocasio has a different viewpoint.

“Although drivers may think off-road automatically means ‘good in snow,’ we still recommend a dedicated winter tire if your region's climate calls for it, especially if you live in an icy area,” Ocasio says.

The tire industry has transitioned to include the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol on products. This symbol indicates the tires meet certain U.S. Tire Manufacturer Association requirements for severe snow conditions. This information can be extremely helpful and it’s all part of finding the right tires for your climate and driving conditions.

“Not all off-road or all-terrain tires are designed to be driven in snow, so we recommend you evaluate your area's climate and pick tire features specific to where you'll be driving,” Ocasio explains. “For example, if you find yourself in a warmer climate with mild winters, you can opt for an all-weather tire.”

Taking It Off-Road

For the off-road adventurer, what should they look for in terms of tires for their Jeep, SUV or truck?

“If you occasionally wander off the beaten path and enjoy the thrill of conquering new obstacles, we recommend opting for a more aggressive all-terrain tire,” Ocasio suggests. “Look for a tire that features open shoulder slots and staggered shoulder lugs—these help tackle more challenging terrains while providing an enjoyable ride.”

For the true outdoor adventurer who wants to tackle rough terrain full of rocks and gullies, there are other options to consider such as oversized tires. These allow drivers to clear uneven ground as well as go up and over many obstructions in their driving path.

“More severe types of terrains come with their own set of obstacles. Finding a tire that features durability, dependability, and of course, traction will be key to enjoying your time off-road,” Ocasio advises. “Stone and mud rejecters help keep the tread clear of debris, and 23-degree angles give the tire strong pulling power.”

Another thing to look for are taller tires, which can improve ground clearance and give you the ability to clear obstacles on the terrain without them causing damage to the underside of your vehicle.

From Off-Road To Side Roads

So that’s all fine for the person heading into the great outdoors. What should a driver look for in all-terrain tires if they aren't an off-road adventurer but looking for something in an area with rougher roads?

“If the terrain you'll tackle is milder--say gravel roads, light mud, etc.--we'd recommend considering an all-terrain pattern that highlights on-road manners,” Ocasio says. “A premium all-terrain product will provide the off-road traction drivers desire and deliver strong performance on dry, wet, and snowy roads and a quiet, comfortable ride.”

Driving In The Muck

So what if you live in an area with a heavy rainy season and you have to drive in extremely muddy conditions? What should you look for in tires?

Some tires are designed to deliver traction in severe off-road conditions, Ocasio explains. “On the other end, you find all-terrain tires that balance road manners and off-road capabilities.”

Mud terrain tires are marked with the M+S symbol, which indicates they have been tested for mud and snow.

“Consider a mud-terrain or max-traction tire if you are looking for the maximum off-road capability and are less concerned about a quiet, comfortable ride,” Ocasio says. “The rule I like to follow is this:

“If you are 80% off-road and 20% on-road is when you make the switch from all-terrain to max-traction.”

But are you giving up the reliability and peace of mind offered with the purchase of a “regular” day-to-day driving tire?

“No,” Ocasio says. “Nowadays, many all-terrain tires feature mileage warranties.

“We always recommend working with your preferred tire dealer to help you find the tire that best fits your lifestyle and driving needs.”

Things to look for in all-terrain and off-read tires:

• All-terrain tires aren’t meant for heavy road use but there have been improvements that will allow for better gas mileage and asphalt wear and tear.
• For off-road adventures, find the right off-road tire that is durable and designed for tough conditions with good ground clearance.
• If you live in an area with heavy snow, get real snow tires for the winter.
• If you are dealing with seasonal muddy driving conditions, consider mud-terrain style tires.
• For off-road adventures consider oversize and taller tires to ensure clearance of obstacles and head off potential damage to your vehicle.
• All-terrain tires often offer mileage warranties, so talk with your tire dealer about the right one for you.