Designed for challenging terrains and rocky paths, 4×4 tyres are remarkably different to regular road tyres. Whilst these are built for speed, comfort and efficiency, 4×4 tyres offer drivers the opportunity to enjoy off-road driving, thanks to their rugged tread pattern, deeper tread length and increased rubber ratio.

Due to their specialised design, such tyres aren’t cheap to come by. Here is your guide for 4×4 tyres and how to preserve them for as long as possible.

The difference between 4-wheel and all-wheel drive

It might sound like they mean the same thing, but 4-wheel and all-wheel drive are very different. You’ll find that most off-road cars are fitted with 4-wheel drive, which allows the driver to switch between 2 and 4-wheel drive depending on the terrain. Usually, if they need more power, 4-wheel drive can get the car up steep and rocky terrain.

In the case of all-wheel vehicles, each of the four wheels is managed by its own axle, meaning that the amount of power distributed to the front or rear axles is determined by the car, not the driver. This means that not all all-wheel cars are capable of off-road driving.

Does this matter when choosing tyres?

Whether your vehicle is all-wheel or 4-wheel, this doesn’t matter when it comes to selecting your tyres. The tyres you select should be based on whether you plan to drive your vehicle off-road or not.

If you plan to only drive on regular roads, you can opt for regular tyres that don’t have off-road capabilities. If, however, you own an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or sport utility vehicle (SUV), and you regularly drive on stony ground, through fields or through snow, you will need off-road tyres.

Can you mix and match tyres on a 4×4?

It’s generally not recommended to fix different tyres on the same axle, but for 4×4 it’s good if the front tyres match the rears too. Put simply, it’s not a good idea to mix and match.

This is because 4x4s have a transfer box that separates power between the front and rear axles. Using different tread patterns might cause different rotational speeds which stresses the transmission component. In some extreme cases, this can cause the transfer box to fail entirely.

How long do 4×4 tyres last?

There’s no universal answer for this one; the durability of your tyres will depend on the terrain you frequently go through, your driving style, tyre size and simple things like tyre pressure and wheel alignment. However, most owners will get between 40,000 and 80,000km from a set of 4 tyres.

One thing that significantly affects tyre wear is the weight of your vehicle. The heavier the vehicle, the shorter the lifespan of the tyres. You might also find that smaller tyres need to be replaced quicker as they handle more pressure.