Ideally, a 4x4 tyre should last for about 10 years or 10,000- 50,000 kilometres of off-road use.
4-wheel drive tyres are available in four varieties:
These are best suited for muddy and off-road driving. Such tyres can tackle tough and challenging roads but are not suited for all scenarios. They have the most aggressive tread. A 225/70R17LT 110/107Q mud-terrain tyre in a set of 4 pieces has an average price of $1200.
Such tyres are preferred for driving in cities and highways. Therefore, they become the most common and general-purpose tyres. A 175/60R13 77H highway terrain tyre in a set of 4 pieces can be bought for an average price of $180.
These types of tyres can tackle off-road and on-road driving. Unfortunately, their tread is not so aggressive. A 4-piece set of 175/80R16 91S all-terrain tyres will cost $600 or more.
A set of 4 tyres can be bought for as low as $360 and or $390, which are the estimated figures for 245/55 R19 tyres. Rapid and Winrun offer such cheap tyres. Ideally, there is no discount even when buying tyres in bulk, so the price of one tyre is multiplied by 4 if buying a set of 4 tyres. Based on the tyre manufacturer, here are the expected average prices for 245/55 R19 set of 4 tyres.
Ideally, a 4x4 tyre should last for about 10 years or 10,000- 50,000 km. The lifespan primarily depends on the driver’s driving habits, type of road tackled, climate and road conditions. Tyres that have encountered abuse from the owner and or lacked proper maintenance will be worn out prematurely. Sometimes,tyres might seem in perfect condition from the outside even though they have worn out from the inside. Therefore, it is highly advisable to get them checked once every 4-5 years. Under normal conditions, the owner might observe drying rubber and deterioration. This indicates their degrading lifespan and it can occur if the tyres were run on low air pressure or the car carried too much weight for longer driving sessions.
Tyres | Estimated cost for four |
|---|---|
Rapid P 609 245/55R19 103W (Highway Terrain with a speed index of 270Km/h) | $360 |
Winrun - MAXCLAW HT 2 245/55R19 103V (Highway Terrain with maximum vehicle speed 240 Km/h) | $392 |
Goodride - SU 318 245/55R19 103T (Highway Terrain with a maximum vehicle speed of 190 Km/h) | $560 |
Dunlop - GRANDTREK PT3 245/55R19 103V (Highway Terrain tyres with a maximum speed of 240 Km/h) | $888 |
Bridgestone - DUELER HL 400 245/55R19 103S | $936 |
The huge variation in prices for the same tyres is due to varying manufacturers. Dunlop is considered one of the top tyre brands, hence their prices are fairly high. One can save money by changing only the worn-out tyres, though it’s not considered safe.
Some top-notch tyre manufacturers to consider in Australia include:
This Japanese tyre manufacturer produces a variety of affordable, lightweight, and heavy-duty tyres to cater to all types of customers. A Bridgestone - DUELER HL 400 245/55R19 103S can cost $234 for one tyre and $936 for 4 tyres.
Continental is a German manufacturer that has been in the business for over 150 years. You can expect to spend at least $200 for a single tyre, which can go as high as $300 or more.
Prices of Goodyear tyres start from $170 for a single tyre and increase to $300 or higher.
An average Dunlop 4-wheel drive tyre starts from $200 onwards.
Some important things to consider to buy the right tyres for a 4WD vehicle are as follows:
Consider the tread pattern. Different tread patterns are suited for varying roads. For instance, the right tyres suited for off-road driving will have wide space between the treads. This makes them easier to cut through the debris. Many 4-wheel-drives come with 17-inch tyres from factory, which can be easily upgraded.Rubber compound. Tyres are made of different materials, hence this factor becomes important to consider when buying a new set. Natural rubber is used to make tyres that can tolerate tearing and cracking. For off-road driving purposes, it is advisable to go with soft rubber compounds, which will give tyres some momentum when biting debris and stones.
Driving habits should be considered as well because tyres have a speed limit index. there is also a weight limit that any given tyre can tolerate.