Comparison of SUV Tires
Choosing the wrong tires for a sport utility vehicle can be a costly mistake. A paper from the 2009 International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles reports that stability tests on an SUV fitted with nonstandard low-profile tires resulted in vehicle tip-up at speeds as low as 35 mph.
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Usage
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An SUV owner should choose tires that match the intended usage of his vehicle. On-road SUV tires differ markedly from those designed primarily for harsh terrain or mud. SUV drivers who face severe winters will need traction tires for optimum grip in these conditions.
Safety
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The Transportation Research Board, in a 2006 report, concluded that the speed rating of a tire influences its handling and steering characteristics, with higher-rated tires performing better. A tire's traction grade, part of the Uniform Tire Quality Grading system, is a good indicator of its stopping ability in wet conditions.
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Load Rating
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SUVs often carry greater loads than passenger cars, and consequently the design of SUV tires is mechanically more robust. An owner should always buy tires that have an adequate load rating for his SUV, and at least equivalent to the original tires. If in any doubt, he should consult the vehicle's owner manual.
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References
- 21st ESV Conference Proceedings; How Tires Change an SUV's Performance in Fishhook and Sine-With-Dwell Testing; M.W. Arndt, et al.; 2009
- Washington State Department of Transportation: 2007-08 Winter Driving
- "The National Acadamies Press:; Tires and Passenger Vehicle Fuel Economy; 2006
- TireSafety; Replacement Tire Selection Manual; August 2006
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