What should you consider before buying an all-terrain tire?

There are different types of all-terrain tires available on e-commerce sites. But, you need to consider a lot of factors before purchasing a good one.

• Check the sidewall markings: Look at the markings on your existing tires for Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG).The grading includes the tread, traction and temperature grades of the tires fitted to your vehicle's requirements. This should give you a fair idea about the tires that you need for your vehicle. However, if you are looking to upgrade, go for moderate variations. These ratings are estimated under a controlled environment and should, at best, be considered as approximate.

• Check the tread wear: The higher the tread wear rating, the longer is the expected lifetime of the tire.

• Check traction ratings: “AA” rated tires have the greatest traction or ability to stop immediately on a wet surface, while “C” denotes the least traction. Look for a traction rating that is suitable for the conditions in which you drive. Light truck (LT) tires deliver better traction and a smoother ride off-road. They also have a higher load rating, which means that they can carry a heavier load. Passenger Construction (P-metric or light duty) tires are fuel-efficient and more suitable for on-road handling.

• Check temperature resistance capacity: Temperature resistance decreases from Grade A to Grade C. Settle on a rating in accordance with your requirements.