Can I use all-terrain tyres for daily driving?

All-terrain tyres are ideal for people who love the extremes and are looking for a tyre that can handle the outdoors effectively, while providing confidence and safety during any expedition. However, they are also becoming an increasingly popular choice for everyday drivers seeking the aggressive tyre aesthetics on their SUVs, trucks, and even vans.

If you’re considering switching out your traditional tyres for all-terrain tyres, there are a few things you should consider before making a purchase…

Understanding the benefits of all-terrain tyres

For the off-roading enthusiast seeking superior control, handling, and raw performance, all-terrain tyres are essential. The unique design of an all-terrain tyre focuses on the hazards expected to be encountered when driving in more rural environments, with large tread blocks made from a soft compound which allow the tyre to bite into the terrain. These are separated by large channels, which help the tyre disperse large standing bodies of water effectively.

These features make for a perfect all-terrain tyre for off-roading, but do they translate well to on-roading?

Considerations for on-road driving

The compound and tread of an all-terrain tyre can differ greatly from those of traditional SUV and H/T tyres due to its core focus on all-terrain performance. For instance, the larger tread blocks and channels – which work great for off-roading performance – don’t translate equally to on-road performance.

When encountering more extreme hazards on the road, all-terrain tyres excel and offer enhanced durability over traditional tyres. However, for everyday driving, factors such as on-road comfort and tyre noise are compromised.

All-terrain tyres also generally increase fuel consumption. The combined effect of their weight and typically softer compound leads to higher long-term costs. Furthermore, this softer compound increases wear speed, as the extra heat buildup means they tend to wear out faster than standard SUV tyres under the same road conditions.

The advantages of all-terrain tyres on the road

Fortunately, many all-terrain tyres don’t focus exclusively on the raw off-roading performance. Instead, they aim to find a balance between terrains. The Terratoura A/T, for instance, is designed to focus on 50/50 performance on and off-roading. The off-roading design does come with a few benefits, such as:

• Perfect for the rural driver – These tyres are ideal for rural locations, particularly those in areas prone to flooding or where roads are not routinely gritted or cleared of snow and ice. The tread is adaptable to poorly maintained or older roads, coping well with rough surfaces, gravel drives, or even sand on the road, where conventional tyres might struggle.
• Greater durability – All-terrain tyres are designed to battle anything that off-roading might throw at them, which translates to an incredibly durable tyre, even on the road. They offer greater puncture-resistance, chip resistance, and can dispel sharp objects, which would be a greater risk to other tyres.
• Pothole protection – With reinforced sidewalls and a puncture-resistant tread, all-terrain tyres offer more robust protection against potholes. The strengthened sidewall has impact protection, reducing the risk of blowouts, bubbling, and bending, which are common problems for traditional road tyres.

What is the best all-terrain tyre for me?

For a versatile and reliable tyre, we recommend the Terratoura A/T. Designed and tested to meet a three-peak mountain snowflake certification to excel in all-weather, Terratoura A/T has been tested and certified across the world to ensure its ability to perform.

In summary, you can use all-terrain tyres like our Terratoura A/T on the road for daily use.

For our full range, check out our product page. If you’re interested in hearing more about Davanti tyres, find your closest dealer using our dealer locator.