The UAE is one of the largest SUV markets per head in the world, and these cars do more than school runs. A typical week can include villa-community speed bumps, a 140 km/h run on the E11, gravel shoulders near construction sites and a weekend trip to Al Qudra or Liwa. That mix decides whether you want a highway terrain (H/T) tyre, an all-terrain (A/T) tyre or a road-biased sport SUV tyre.
Our vans carry SUV tyres up to 22 inch and the equipment to balance them on site, so a full set on a Patrol or Land Cruiser can be changed in the driveway rather than at a workshop.
H/T or A/T: picking the right SUV tyre
A highway terrain (H/T) tyre is the right choice for an SUV that stays on tarmac at least 90% of the time. It is quieter, uses less fuel and stops shorter on hot asphalt than an all-terrain tyre.
An all-terrain (A/T) tyre makes sense if you leave the road most weekends, park on gravel or drive farm and desert tracks. Modern A/T tyres such as the BFGoodrich KO2 or Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 are far more civil on the road than older designs, but expect a little more noise and slightly longer braking distances.
- H/T: daily commuting, highway trips, occasional graded track
- A/T: weekend dunes, wadis, gravel parking, camping trips
- Sport SUV (UHP): Range Rover Sport, Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5 on 21 to 22 inch
Load index matters more on SUVs
Every SUV tyre must carry at least the load index on the placard, and on a Land Cruiser 300 or Patrol that is typically 112 to 116, or 1,120 to 1,250 kg per tyre. Fitting a cheaper tyre with a lower load index to save money is one of the most common causes of SUV blowouts in summer.
An underrated tyre flexes more, builds more heat and can separate at highway speed, especially with a full family and roof box on the way to Oman. If a size offers both standard and XL versions, choose the one that meets or exceeds the original specification.
Big wheels, low profiles and villa speed bumps
A 22 inch SUV tyre with a 45 or 40 profile has less than 125 mm of sidewall, which makes it far easier to pinch against a rim on a sharp speed bump or pothole. Sidewall bulges are common on 21 and 22 inch SUVs in villa communities such as Arabian Ranches, Mirdif and Khalifa City.
A bulge cannot be repaired, and the tyre must be replaced. Keeping pressure at the placard figure and crossing bumps slowly and straight are the best protection.
Rotation and replacing in sets
Most SUVs sold in the UAE have four-wheel or all-wheel drive, so all four tyres should be replaced together or kept within about 2 to 3 mm of tread depth of each other. A large difference in rolling diameter makes the centre differential or AWD coupling work constantly, which can damage it.
Rotate every 8,000 to 10,000 km. If your SUV has a full-size spare of the same type, include it in the rotation so you have five evenly worn tyres.
Technician tips
- Match or exceed the placard load index on every tyre, including the spare.
- Replace all four together on 4x4 and AWD SUVs.
- Check the spare's pressure every month; it is often the one forgotten until a puncture.
- Air down only for sand, and reinflate before returning to tarmac.
- Cross speed bumps slowly and straight on 21 and 22 inch wheels.
- Book an alignment after any hard off-road day or kerb strike.
