All terrain tires: all-rounders for the road and the terrain?

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Recently updated on October 23, 2023 at 08:17 am

[Update: 23.10.2023] This post was updatedto take more recent information into account. All terrain tires are interesting for everyone who would like to drive cross-country. Off-road vehicles and SUVs, for example, can be equipped with the all-terrain tires. But also a Toyota Prius you can miss a set of powerful off-road slippers in an emergency. But what is a All terrain tires actually? As an all terrain tire, a certain type of tire denotes that to the Off-road tires belongs. At the same time, such a tire is between MT profile tires and road tires settled.

When is an AT tire beneficial?

The tire type offers one middle way and can go to Off-road and on-road use be used in a ratio of 50:50. MT profile tires, however, are only intended for off-road areas (terrain). The term All Terrain translated means "any underground". For the name of the tire we also like A / T or AT used as a short form.

Whether an AT tire makes sense for a tuner also depends on the Terrain type on which the vehicle is to be moved. Own AT tires deep tread grooves and wise stable as well as great Profile blocks on. The tires are made from a special rubber compound. AT tires are intended for the following surfaces:

grasslands gravel forest path sand

shallow muddy areas Rock (coarser) Roads (unpaved) Fords (smaller)

Complex construction

AT tires have a complex construction and are technically advanced. Still has to be on the road Smears be expected. The tire type is characterized by a rough profile out. On the road, however, the rough profile causes the tire to move lauter sounds like a standard car tire. Also take Wear and tear and fuel consumption due to the higher rolling friction. Road tires, on the other hand, cut worse off in the field as AT tires. The performance of AT tires as well as their efficiency is a lot off-road Together than that of road tires.

AT tires for certain occupational groups?

Who drives his car frequently off-road moved, should think about AT tires. Rough surfaces can be driven on with the AT tire without any problems. Pure off-road tires However, they make no sense for everyday vehicles. But who only with one Second car If you want to go off-road, you can use off-road tires for this vehicle. AT tires, which can also be used on the road surface, are of interest to certain occupational groups. Förster For example, you must be able to drive a vehicle on both off-road areas and roads. And if you live in the outback, such a tire can also be an advantage as a long-term solution.

Test of all terrain tires

Off-road tire tests are mainly carried out for SUV tires, which are often used in road traffic. Tests for off-road tires or AT tires in hard terrain are unfortunately more likely to be found on English-language sites or in English-language magazines. Various off-road events like that Easter jeep safari but also often lead to tire experience reports. And the testimonials from the Dakar Rally are also interesting.

For example, All Terrain tires were featured in the off-road magazine in 2018 SA4x4 tested. Also 4×4Australia (Video) dared a test. 17 different tires were tested on sand, coarse gravel and tarred roads. The General Tire Grabber AT3 emerged from the test as the winner and was named the best all-rounder by the trade magazine. The Goodyear Wrangler AT Adventure and the Continental Cross Contact AT.

BF Goodrich is the name of the tires used at the motorsport event Dakar Rally in 2018 won. A vehicle with BF Goodrich tires has already won the Dakar rally 14 times. The as All Terrain T / A KDR2 + well-known tire has already been used by several teams. Of course, the drivers contribute significantly to the profit and can show their qualities at such an event. But the tire is also important. It must also be used for off-road trips have the appropriate air pressure. The air pressure depends on the surface and has an impact on driving behavior.

Driving off-road tires in winter?

Tires that are suitable for driving in winter and were produced from 2018, must have the Alpine symbol. By 2024 for tires that before 2018 were produced, nor you M + S identification sufficient. Whether AT tires can be used all year round, that depends on the winter ID. Some AT tires have this code. It is advisable to look at the tires after the StVZO suitability to ask and to make sure that the tires can be driven in winter.

Off-road tires - what to look for?

Off-road tires have to be able to withstand gravel, sand, snow, stones, mud and dirt. They must be suitable for uneven terrain and come with a special tread pattern fitted. The tread blocks point to the tires wide grooves on. Off-road tires also stand out reinforced side walls out. It may no stones can get through these side walls, therefore the puncture resistance is particularly high. Off-road tires have one smaller Contact area than other tire variants and can therefore less contact with the surface the roadway. And the tires are in the city, on conventional road surfaces lauter as road tires. The fuel consumption is also higher.

The profile of off-road tires wears out fasterwhich is due to the soft rubber compound. The rubber compound is ideal for off-road driving. Depending on the model, the tires are for 60.000 kilometers or up to 115.000 kilometers suitable.

Off-road tires - which tires fit?

• All terrain tires are suitable for driving on various surfaces, such as road and terrain. Those who have to commute from the country to the city and are often on the road as well as off-road are for them All terrain tires Interesting. AT tires should, however not can be compared or equated with all-season tires.
• Mud terrain tires are interesting for tuners who want to explore new terrain. The tire variant is suitable for extreme terrain as well as for mud and wet snow. The tires have reinforced sidewalls, are extremely robust and have an aggressive profile.
• Snow tires are advisable if you have to drive frequently in snow and on ice. The profiles are equipped with slats (channels and grooves) and offer optimal grip on snow and ice.

Keywords: snow tires, all terrain tires, A / T tires, AT tires, mud terrain tires

FAQ: All Terrain Tires – What you should know!

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1. What are All Terrain Tires?

• All terrain tires (AT tires) are special tires that were developed for both on-road and off-road use. They combine features of on-road tires and off-road tires to provide flexibility on different surfaces.

2. How are All Terrain tires tested?

• AT tires are tested in various categories including aquaplaning (both longitudinally and transversely), handling in wet and dry conditions, comfort, external noise, rolling resistance and performance on snow.

3. Which is the best AT tire according to test results?

• According to the AT tire test and comparisons, the results vary depending on the source. In the "All-terrain tire test“He did GoodYear Vector 4Seasons SUV Gen-3 performed particularly well, with achievements in various tests including 3rd place at Autobild in 2023.

4. Are there any differences in the dimensions of the AT tires?

• Yes, the AT tires are available in different sizes, from 15" until usually 20". The exact size you need depends on your vehicle type and your individual needs.

5. How do I compare different AT tires?

• You can have one AT tire comparison or use “All Terrain Tire Test” to compare different models and brands. You should pay attention to the test results, dimensions and price.

6. Which brands offer AT tires?

• Some of the most popular brands that offer AT tires include GoodYear, Pirelli, Nokian, Yokohama and BFGoodrich. Each brand has its own models with specific features and price ranges.

7. What should I pay attention to when buying all-terrain tires?

• In addition to the brand and price, you should also pay attention to Test results, such as the “Best AT Tire” or “AT Tire Test”, and pay attention to the specific requirements of the vehicle.

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