- They are a hybrid of highway and off-road tyres
- They have an open tread pattern and deeper grooves
- Reinforced sidewall for added strength
- These are considerably more expensive than normal tyres
All-terrain tyres (also known as all-purpose tyres) boast of having the capability to handle any kind of terrain. They are basically a hybrid of normal tyres and off-road tyres. They can be used for both off-road trails and also cover long stretches on highways.
An all-terrain tyre has open treads and deeper grooves to attain more grip on different types of surfaces. If you take a closer look at an all-terrain tyre, you will notice that its tread pattern is more aggressive and its grooves are a lot more deeper as compared to those on a normal tyre. This specific tread pattern helps the vehicle get a better grip in terrains like mud, gravel, sand and snow.
Pros / Advantages of all-terrain tyres
- Usable throughout the year- All-terrain tyres are designed to tackle almost every kind of terrain and they provide enough grip to drive on every kind of surface. They are usable in rain, snow, mud, gravel and literally everything that can possibly come your way.
- Durability- All- terrain tyres also have the benefit of reinforced sidewalls which helps them to climb rocks and absorb brutal shocks while going off-road. They also use a harder rubber compound which lasts longer as compared to a normal tyre.
- Less chances of Aquaplaning- Aquaplaning is a state where a wedge of water forms between the tyre and the road due to the inability of tyres to disperse water from underneath them. All-purpose tyres have deeper grooves and an aggressive tread design which channels the water much better as compared to a normal tyre.
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Cons / Disadvantages of all-terrain tyres
- Noise- All terrain tyres are very noisy due to the presence of deeper grooves and large open voids in the tread. This noise can easily filter into the cabin undamped. This can be very troublesome when the car is running at high speeds as significant levels of noise will seep into the cabin causing discomfort to the passengers. Normal tyres have a different tread pattern that helps to reduce road noise which an all-terrain tyre lacks.
- Lower fuel efficiency- All-terrain tyres have high rolling resistance and are less aerodynamic which makes them a lot more inefficient in terms of fuel consumption as compared to normal tyres.
- Less comfortable- The sidewalls of all-terrain tyres are reinforced. This means that the tyres don't compress easily on bumps and shocks which makes them less comfortable as compared to their highway counterparts.
- Expensive- All-terrain tyres are meant to serve a specific purpose and people who buy them need to pay extra money over a normal tyre. Due to their advanced structure and enduring capabilities, the cost of all-terrain tyres is much more than highway tyres.
Should you buy all-terrain tyres?
Well this truly depends on what you use your vehicle for. If you are an occasional, light off-roader, then an all terrain tyre would suit your needs well. The cost too would be justified since you'll just be using one set of tyres for both your daily routine and your weekend adventures.
All- terrain tyres should only be bought if you encounter different types of terrains week-in and week-out. A versatile tyre is best utilized on varying terrains. There's no point in buying a versatile tyre if you only encounter one type of terrain all the time. In those cases, you'll definitely be better off with terrain specific tyres like highway tyres, winter tyres or mud terrain tyres.
Image Credits : rutrlands
