Torque N' 4WD. Part7
07 February 2008
Other than the parochial discussion about which 4wd is the best the next most talked about topic is tyres. Just about every campfire conversation turns to which tyre should I purchase, what sort of mileage will I get, how good are they in all conditions.
It is my opinion that there is no perfect tyre for all occasions. All tyres are designed to do a particular job well but it is difficult to find a tyre that does not compromise an area of its performance. Compromise is the key word here, what you as a 4w driver need to do is decide what priorities in a tyre’s performance you require. Any reputable 4wd tyre distributor will be able to assist you making a purchasing decision. Before you front up to buy a new set of rubber you need to think long and hard where you want to use your vehicle. You could come up with a percentage for each type of use you have and convey this to the tyre dealer.
Most new vehicles come with road-orientated type of tyre. The manufacturers seem to think that we are not going to use our car for what they are designed to do. This may be O K for some owners who never intend to ‘go bush’ and only want to use their 4wd on the bitumen.
One thing that you have to be mindful of is that tyres have speed ratings and your vehicle has a tyre placard which dictates what speed rating your tyres are required to have to comply. Changing to a tyre with a lower speed rating can cause legal complications and problems for your insurance coverage. I’m sure that a reputable tyre dealer would not sell you a tyre which does not comply.
Radial type tyres these days are probably the preferred option. They have better handling characteristics than the other styles of tyre but they too have faults. To comply with speed ratings tyres are generally constructed of a softer compound to give better grip (on the bitumen). The sidewalls are also quite flexible and this makes them susceptible to sidewall damage.
Which ever tyres you decide to purchase will all need to be of the same construction and size. It is preferable to even look at having the same brand all round. These points are required so that all tyres have the same handling characteristics.
In my next article I will look at tyre pressures and some other points of interest dealing with tyres.
I will leave you to ponder your next tyre choice, this should give you something to talk about when you are having a quiet chat with fellow 4wdrivers.
Article written by:
Don Martin
Former DTU Mount Gambier and Districts 4wd Club