tires for SUVs. Have to choose special and expensive ones?
Crossovers and SUVs are currently among the most popular car models in Poland. However, many of them are front-wheel drive versions with basic, weaker engines. Do you need to buy special tires designed for 4×4 vehicles for such vehicles?
Small SUVs, crossovers and SUVs are currently among the most popular vehicles on the market. Many of them are available in two drive versions. Due to the lower price, drivers often opt for a single axle drive - usually a front axle. The 4x4 (AWD) option is more expensive and less popular. How to choose winter tires for such cars? Are SUV tires different from classic car tires?
Four winter tires are the foundation
Four-wheel drive vehicles must receive a set of identical tires with the same degree of wear. Even small differences can affect wheel circumference. The drive controller will interpret the resulting difference in wheel speed as slippage, unnecessary tightening of the center clutch, and increased risk of transmission damage.
Experts say that in the case of cars with all-wheel drive, it is not necessary to install four identical tires. But this is the recommended solution, because then the car is more stable, which is especially important in difficult winter conditions. Although the tire models on both axles may be different, it is highly recommended not to use winter tires for the drive axle only. For example, leaving two summer tires on another axle can be dangerous. because safety systems control all four wheels, and not just provide better traction with the drive axle. Good traction on the drive wheels will do little if the other two are unstable. The driver will feel this especially when making a sharp turn or going down steep slopes. In the case of a rear-wheel drive car, going uphill in this situation can also be troublesome, as the unstable front axle, pushed by the rear axle, will run off the road.
Pay attention to the center differential
Installing four identical tires is even more important for 4×4 vehicles, where mixed tires can cause even more safety problems. Tires on both axles must have the same tread pattern, both in pattern and height, because the safety systems are calibrated based on these assumptions. If the difference in tread height is more than 3-4 mm, the car will not be as safe as possible on snow and wet surfaces and we will expose it to damage to the center differential or center clutch, as reported by some automakers. in their user manuals.
Since cars in the SUV segment are heavy and equipped with powerful engines, it is necessary to choose the right size, as well as the speed and payload index. Firstly, this is information about the maximum speed at which the car can move with new tires. For example, "Q" is 160 km/h, "T" is 190 km/h, "H" is 210 km/h, "B" is 240 km/h. The individual index for the car is indicated in its registration certificate or in the instruction manual. Assuming that winter driving is slower, the regulation allows the installation of a tire with a lower index, provided that its value is at least 160 km / h.
The load index is extremely important, as it informs about the maximum allowable load on each wheel. While many SUVs use the same size tires as midsize and premium vehicles, they are heavier and often need a higher load index. Therefore, when choosing tires, in addition to width, height and diameter, you should pay attention to this parameter. For example, index 91 allows you to withstand a load of 615 kg. Multiplying this value by four, the number of wheels, will result in a value that is slightly over the vehicle's maximum allowable weight.
Due to the high performance and weight of this type of vehicle, for top versions with powerful engines and 4x4 drive, it is recommended to use tires from leading manufacturers, preferably with a directional tread. But in the case of weaker versions with all-wheel drive, expensive tires are not so necessary. – If the load index and size match the manufacturer's recommendations, you can safely buy an all-round tire, and not a tire designed by the manufacturer for SUVs. The more expensive ones are simply reinforced and prepared to work at higher loads. In a front-wheel drive car, the driver won't be able to take full advantage of them, says Arkadiusz Jazwa, owner of a tire shop in Rzeszow.
Approved Tires
Many drivers may wonder if a crossover or SUV really needs more expensive specialized tires. How are passenger car tires different from SUV tires? At first glance, except for the size and price - nothing. However, significant differences relate to the design of the tires and the composition from which they were cast.
– Winter tires for SUVs have a slightly different structure and mixed character than conventional tires for passenger cars. These products are specially reinforced and their design is adapted to the weight of the vehicle and its power. For example, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance SUV Gen-1 tires, thanks to a modified structure, provide more grip and improve driving safety in winter road conditions. The self-locking sipes and tread pattern make up the 3D-BIS (3D Block Interlocking System) system, providing the best balance between dry grip and snow performance. The off-road-optimized sipe arrangement, which is now parallel to the block edges in the center of the tread, improves traction, braking and traction on snowy and icy roads, explains Marta Kosyra, Brand Manager at Goodyear Dunlop Tires Polska.
Often the best solution is to stop experimenting and choose tires that are approved or recommended by the manufacturer for a given vehicle. Even if they cost more, they can have a positive effect on driving accuracy, resulting in safety and driving pleasure. It may even seem that you have chosen a much lower speed index. Such a tire can not only cope with driving at high speed, but also wear out faster under the influence of forces acting on it - both overloads and engine torque. Potential savings of even a few hundred PLN are small in terms of the total cost of operating the car.
– When selecting tires for passenger cars – regardless of their type, be it an SUV, a limousine or a small city car – one should first of all be guided by the recommendations of vehicle manufacturers, which clearly define the size, load capacity or maximum speed for a given car. Tires for SUVs and passenger cars differ from each other in the composition of the rubber compound, tread pattern and internal structure. This is due to the fact that tire manufacturers design tires for specific conditions of use, taking into account the requirements of specific types of vehicles. For example, in the case of SUVs that are used only for driving on paved roads, you should not invest in off-road tires, but should use the offer of passenger tires designed for SUVs. Off-road enthusiasts should choose reinforced tires designed for use in difficult conditions. However, the best choice for drivers who use their SUVs both on dirt roads and on pavement would be AT (All Terrain) tires, advises Paweł Skrobish, customer service manager at Continental Opony Polska.
