Your Guide To The Different Types Of Vehicle Tyres

 

Your road safety doesn't only depend on you, the driver. A big part rests on the shoulders of your vehicle tyres, the only part of your ride that touches the road. Tyres ensure your passengers' and your safety by:

• Transforming engine power into the best ride performance
• Cushioning you from the blow of road bumps and other rough surfaces
• Bearing the weight of the vehicle and its occupants
• Providing traction, stability, and grip on various surfaces
• Quickly responding to your steering, acceleration, and braking commands

Each tyre matches different vehicle specs, such as 4x4 Tyres, SUV Tyres, Truck Tyres and more to ensure a safe and comfortable ride.

It's crucial to purchase and fit quality tyres compatible with your vehicle. A mismatch may lead to vehicle or tyre damage, poor performance, or accidents. To learn what makes each tyre unique, check out this comprehensive guide.

Also read How to Choose the Right Tyres for My Car

 

Your Complete Guide to Vehicle Tyres

4x4 Tyres

These tyres are compatible with 4x4 or 4WD vehicles whose engines can evenly power all four tyres, guaranteeing traction on uneven and challenging tracks. They are sometimes called Off-Road Tyres, which is a misnomer. In reality, 4x4 Tyres are categorised according to terrains, such as On-Road or Highway, Off-Road, and All-Terrain tyres.

Design Difference: The rougher the terrain it's meant for, the deeper the 4x4 Tyre's tread and the wider the voids between its tread blocks. This design gives a better grip on loose surfaces by letting more of the tyre stay connected to the ground. However, this also boosts rolling resistance, lowering fuel economy and increasing tread wear.

4x4 Tyre Patterns:

 

Also read Essential Guide to All-Terrain Tyres – Best 4x4 Tyres

 

SUV Tyres

Sport Utility Vehicles or SUVs have plenty of room for passengers and equipment. Despite the term "sport" in its name, SUVs are not exclusively for off-road driving.

Today, many drivers - and families - prefer SUVs because of their spacious interiors. Because these vehicles are heavier, SUV Tyres are also more robust and designed to roll beyond the pavement.

Design Difference: Compared to Passenger Tyres, SUV Tyres have a more aggressive tread pattern and higher and thicker sidewalls. These features allow SUV Tyres to be flexible during cornering and off-road situations.

SUV Tyre Patterns:

 

 

Sports Car Tyres

Sports Car tyres offer superior handling at increased speeds. Specifically designed for high-performance cars, these tyres perform best on dry sealed roads displaying a solid grip and cornering abilities.

Design Difference: Sports car tyres typically have deeper treads and stiffer sidewalls to boost on-road performance. They have a softer rubber compound, which guarantees grip while making turns.

Sports Car Tyre Patterns:

 

 

Passenger Tyres

These tyres are generally designed for personal use, and as a result, they are suitable for carrying lighter loads and travelling on paved roads. Examples of passenger-type vehicles are coupes, sedans, minivans, crossovers, and SUVs.

Design Difference: Compared to SUV Tyres, Passenger Tyres are lighter, with shorter and narrower sidewalls. Their tread patterns can either be symmetrical or asymmetrical to provide a smooth ride. Grooves are positioned around the tyre to channel water when rolling on wet surfaces.

Passenger Tyre Brands

 

Also read Six Wet Weather Driving Tips

 

Compact Car Tyres

The best small car tyres are compatible with compact cars travelling on paved roads with low load capacity. Some of these tyres also work best with today's urban EVs (Electric Vehicles), producing lower rolling resistance and consuming less energy.

Design Difference: These tyres have a shallow tread depth and are not made for rough surfaces. Compact Car Tyre sizes range from 14 to 22 inches. They effectively absorb the impacts of driving on uneven surfaces and improve ride comfort.

Mini Car Tyre Patterns

 

 

Truck Tyres

Truck tyres are generally engineered for more arduous drives and heavier loads. Still, there are Truck Tyres built for the highway terrain. But if you plan to do some heavy lifting on uneven tracks, choose Truck Tyres with heavy-duty and off-road capabilities. There are also Light Truck Tyres, which are for trucks that weigh less than 19,500 pounds and with a maximum weight capacity of 4,000 pounds.

Design Difference: Compared to Passenger Tyres, Truck Tyres are bigger and equipped with stiffer sidewalls, deeper treads and larger tread channels. Make sure to fit your truck with the correct tyre size to optimise its performance.

 

Truck Tyre Patterns:

Also read Your Tyre Load Rating Explained

 

 

Motorcycle Tyres

Unlike cars, motorcycles are single-track vehicles that tilt during turns. To do this, Motorcycle Tyres use several rubber compounds that allow it to flex at the edges, thereby boosting grip. The tyre's rigid middle aims to prolong tread life.

Design Difference: Motorcycle Tyres are more flexible than cars, and their contact patch can shift into a U-shape when leaning while cornering. This ability is possible through a big-diameter ring at the tyre's centre, flanked by smaller rings at its sides. Stiff sidewalls are a vital part of a motorcycle's suspension as these increase stability and handling.

Motorcycle Tyre Patterns:

Commercial Van Tyres

Commercial Van Tyres can bear heavier loads than Car Tyres, and are engineered to run at lower speeds. Because these match working vehicles, Commercial Van Tyres usually operate on higher air pressures to cope with higher payloads.

Design Difference: Commercial Van Tyres usually feature stronger sidewalls and heavier construction. These tyres are meant for long drives on the road and have markings such as XL (Extra Load), RF (Reinforced), or C after the rim size. All these indicate a robust tyre able to keep up with long trips and constant load-carrying.

Commercial Van Tyre Patterns:

Also read Your Tyre Speed Rating Explained

 

Choose the best quality tyre for your vehicle

Now that you know that tyres meet the specific demands of different vehicles, it's time to select your tyres. Tyroola offers vehicle tyres of various brands, patterns, and sizes that you can order online— with fast shipping and fitting! Whether you're looking for cheap tyres or big-brand tyres for less, we've got you covered.

For more tyre tips, check out our blog and helpful guides.