Maximizing 4WD Performance: The Ultimate Guide to Tyre Selection and Maintenance

Many factors contribute to the performance of a 4WD on-road and off-road. One of those key factors is the style and pattern of the tyres fitted. When a 4WD is purchased new, it will have an all-round tyre fitted, which the manufacturer has deemed as a balance between performance, comfort and economy. It will usually be a Highway Terrain or a limited All Terrain pattern. It will also be made to passenger construction instead of the heavier light truck construction you would see on a commercial vehicle.  

In the aftermarket 4WD tyre industry, we see manufacturers offering various tyre styles ranging from Highway Terrain, All Terrain and Mud Terrain. In addition, some variants are hybrids or a combination of two types to provide on-road handling, economy, and excellent off-road capabilities. Talking to a tyre specialist about what your needs are for your 4WD will ensure that you choose the tyre which will suit your individual circumstances.  

Moving away from the original style of tyre supplied to a slight or much more aggressive tyre comes with its pros and cons. The first noticeable difference is the amount of road noise you may encounter. Unfortunately, increasing road noise is the trade-off for prioritising off-road performance. Secondly, you might see a slight decrease in fuel economy. This is because the tyres are made with a better, heavier carcass construction that can withstand higher loads for towing and carrying purposes and therefore is heavier.  

Understanding how to work with your tyres to enhance their performance is fundamental. Knowing the best tyre pressure to run with is one key factor. Different purposes and terrains will require different tyre pressures. In addition, whether you are carrying a load or towing will also influence you. When asked the question by customers, there are two general rules of thumb we stick to without knowing the detailed expectations of performance.  

Dirt Track Driving  

Take 40% away from your starting pressure and adjust as required. For example, if your starting pressure is 36 psi, deflate to 22 psi (PSI – pounds per square inch). 

Sand Driving  

Take 60% away from your starting pressure and adjust as required. For example, if your starting pressure is 36 psi, deflate to 14 psi. 

In addition to this general advice, we recommend gaining local advice wherever you’re heading. The time of year, the terrain you’re able to travel, and the weather impacts are information best sought from locals. As local Central Queenslanders, many of us may know how to trek safely to Five Rocks, but we can’t plug and play that approach if we head to out to Big Red, for example. Sand may be sand, but there are still other considerations to observe.  

Reducing your tyre pressures will give your tyres the flexibility to soak up sharp objects and lengthen your vehicle’s footprint to provide you with better traction. It’s important to know, too, that reduced tyre pressures will mean you will need to reduce your speed because high speeds and low pressures will cause your tyres to overheat. A worst-case scenario of driving like this is that you could cause tyre separation, where the tread separates from the carcass.  

To ensure you get the maximum longevity out of your tyres, rotate and balance them every 10,000 km and have your wheel alignment checked. Ask your mechanic if they do this as part of a regular service and if not, request it.  

Nathan Johnson worked in the 4WD Tyre industry from 2005 to 2010 in South East Queensland.