How Long Do Mud Tires Last? Here Are the Facts

Mud tires are a popular choice for many off-roading adventures, but few people consider them for on-road commutes. Are you thinking about using your mud tires for daily driving? Switching wheels every time you cruise can be frustrating and time-consuming, so it’s important to take care of your mud tires if you want to use them regularly.

Mud tires typically last 40,000 miles (64,373.76 km), but the terrain can raise or lower this estimate. Using mud tires on mud, dirt, snow, and similar surfaces will let you get the most out of them. Using mud tires while driving on pavement can wear them down quickly. Try all-terrain tires instead.

Throughout this post, we’ll discuss how many miles you can expect to get out of your mud tires, how to prevent them from wearing too quickly, and whether or not you can use them for daily commutes. We’ll also break down a few alternative solutions and tips to get the most out of your tires wherever you go.

How Long Do Mud Tires Last on Pavement?

According to The Drive, mud tires last up to 40,000 miles (64,373.76 km) on mud, gravel, and similar loose terrains. However, using your mud tires on pavement will have a dramatic effect. They are designed with deep treads and should flex with the terrain.

If they’re never flexing, the weight is pushed to the bottom of the tires, causing more wear and tear.

Consider the following three questions to know if the pavement will damage your mud tires:

How often do you drive on the pavement? If you’re using mud tires to get from your home to an off-roading spot, you’re in the clear. There’s no need to stress about driving on the pavement to go to a mudding location, but they shouldn’t be used for daily commutes on rough pavement.
Do you slam your brakes, or are you involved in stop-and-go traffic? Slamming your brakes is a bad idea for any tires, but mud tires are made for skidding to a stop of loose terrain. Slamming the brakes on pavement will scrap the tires, shaving years off of their expected lifespan. Take it easy on your traffic commutes, or switch your tires beforehand.
How smooth is the pavement? Rough pavement is always much worse for mud tires because it’s jagged enough to cause damage without giving way. Mud tires can drive on rugged gravel because it moves with the tires, but rocky pavement won’t budge. Smooth pavement isn’t too detrimental, though.

Dirt Legal explains that driving with your mud tires on pavement can take up to 20,000 miles (32,186.88 km) off their life expectancy. If you’re worried about ruining your mud tires, proceed to the next section to know if they wear faster than traditional wheels.

Do Mud Tires Wear Faster?

Whether you bought a brand-new set of mud tires or want to know how long yours will last, you’re in the right place. Mud tires are often thought of as more durable than on-road tires since they can withstand rocks, mud, and so on. However, they’re not nearly as reliable when used on pavement or cement.

So, will your mud tires wear faster than road tires?

Mud tires last just as long as traditional road tires if you’re using them on mud and dirt. You don’t have to stress about replacing your tires too often if you use them as they’re supposed to be used. You wouldn’t use road tires for off-roading, so don’t use mud tires for pavement!
Too much braking and sharp objects will wear down your mud tires. As mentioned above, mud tires can handle gravel and stones without a problem. Once you add pavement into the equation, they can shred apart quickly. It’s crucial to brake slowly when driving on hard surfaces.
Proper deflation and inflation can make your mud tires last longer. DrivingLine implies one of the most common mud tire mistakes beginners make is inflating their tires too much. Mud tires should be slightly deflated compared to road tires since they have to flex with varying terrains.

As you can see, mud tires only wear faster if they’re used incorrectly. In a muddy environment, you’ll get thousands of miles out of them. There’s no need to buy new tires annually, but there are many reasons people have to sink thousands of dollars into another set too often.

Daily driving is always an issue, especially when it’s on the pavement.

Are Mud Tires Good for Daily Driving?

Mud tires are often confused with all-terrain tires since both sets can drive on dirt, mud, snow, gravel, and similar surfaces. However, using mud tires for daily commutes can cause severe problems for your vehicle, and your bank account since you’ll have to buy new tires regularly. Below, we’ll describe the two things you should know about using mud tires for daily driving.

Do You Drive on Mud or Pavement?

Using mud tires on mud is perfect for daily commutes. If you drive on rocky, gravel-covered roads to get to farms and industrial job sites, there’s no reason mud tires can’t work. However, they shouldn’t be used for commuting on highways and city streets without dirt or other off-roading terrains, as they’ll wear down too quickly.

Check the Tire’s Brand and Mileage Expectations

As with traditional road tires, the brand directly influences how long the tires last. Some companies make mud tires with deep grooves, while others use shallow treads to adapt to lightweight pavement driving scenarios.

Check the estimated mileage of your new tires for an accurate expectation. Though 40,000 miles (64,373.76 km) is the typical range, some only last about 20,000 miles (32,186.88 km).

Occasionally driving on pavement won’t permanently ruin your mud tires, but using them for daily commutes on such hard surfaces will undoubtedly take its toll. Protect your mud tires by using them on the proper surface, then read the final section for three must-know tips to make them last longer.

How To Make Mud Tires Last Longer

You’re probably reading this post because you’re worried your mud tires won’t last too long, but proper driving conditions can make them last for several years. To make your mud tires last longer than ever, employ these helpful suggestions:

Never over-inflate mud tires. Putting too much air in your mud tires makes them less likely to flex and bend with the terrain. If they’re overinflated, a jagged stone can puncture the outer wall. You’ll notice the recommended PSI is much lower than that of an on-road tire set.
Consider all-terrain tires. TyresGator shows all-terrain tires are the perfect solution for people who commute and drive on the pavement but want to go off-roading on the weekends. You won’t have to switch your tires every time you drive on dirt and other terrains.
Rotate your tires and only use them in off-road conditions. Rotating your tires reduces the stress put on the rear or front wheels, depending on if you drive a RWD or FWD vehicle. It’s beneficial for 4WD and AWD vehicles because it distributes the weight encountered on uneven surfaces.

Conclusion

Mud tires can last tens of thousands of miles when used in the right conditions. However, you shouldn’t rely on them if you usually drive on the pavement. While they’ll get the job done, mud tires wear down too fast and become useless on roads and sidewalks. You could use all-terrain tires if you drive on mud, pavement, and everything in between.

Sources

Derrick

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