Choosing the Right Tires for SUV Cars
Everyone has different characteristics when driving. This is no exception if you have a Sport Utility Vehicle or commonly known as an SUV. This type of car generally has specific needs, including tires.
Choosing the right SUV tires is the best step in driving this type of sports car. Nowadays, many tire manufacturers produce tires tailored to the specifications needed for SUVs.
Read also: The Transformation of Daihatsu SUV Terios from Time to Time
There are several types of SUV tires named based on their functions through certain codes. You need to recognize and adjust SUV tires based on the required specifications to optimize the performance of your beloved SUV.
The naming codes for SUV tires include H/T, M/T, and A/T. So, if you are choosing tires for an SUV, in addition to the tire size, these codes need to be considered to meet your needs. What do these codes mean?
1. H/T Tires (Highway Terrain)
The characteristic of H/T tires is that they have a tread pattern with relatively close grooves. This design allows the tires to grip the road surface more effectively.
The noise produced is quieter compared to other types of SUV tires. H/T tires are very suitable for drivers who have more mobility in urban areas with mostly asphalt and relatively flat road surfaces.
One of the weaknesses of this type of SUV tire is when it has to go through uneven dirt roads. This can cause the tires to easily get stuck due to inadequate grip.
2. M/T Tires (Mud Terrain)
As the name suggests, M/T tires are suitable for use on muddy roads. Their characteristic is a large tread design with wide gaps. Usually, the tread design is square to linear.
M/T tires are more optimal when driving on soft ground, allowing the vehicle to move smoothly whether turning, accelerating, or decelerating. Because of this advantage, many people refer to this type of tire as "plow tires."
M/T tires are often used for SAR teams when navigating through rivers and forests. Off-road activities are also quite stable when using this type of tire. However, when used on asphalt roads, M/T tires tend to produce loud noise. When driving at high speeds, M/T tires can also become slippery and do not grip the road well.
3. A/T Tires (All Terrain)
This type of tire is designed to accommodate all user needs. This means that this type of tire can be used on both asphalt and dirt surfaces.
The tread design and grooves are generally deeper compared to H/T tires. The noise level when used on asphalt roads is also higher than H/T tires, although still within reasonable limits.
For braking ability and traversing puddles, A/T tires perform much better than M/T tires. Thus, they can still be used for daily mobility.
When driving on rocky roads or dense wet dirt, A/T tires can still be relied upon. However, when encountering muddy, pothole-filled, and slippery roads, traction can be difficult to achieve with this type of tire.
From the explanation above, do you already know what type of tire to choose for your beloved SUV? Make sure your choice meets your needs! In addition to using the right type of tire, the performance of the car will also be more optimal if tire maintenance is done regularly, such as always performing wheel alignment and balancing, checking tire wear, and inspecting air pressure.
Author: Dinno Baskoro
