Purchasing new tyres for your SUV or crossover can be an overwhelming process with so many options to choose from. However, finding the right tyres for your specific vehicle is important for safety, performance and longevity. Goodyear, a leading global tyre manufacturer, offers helpful recommendations on selecting the ideal tyres for your SUV or crossover.

Evaluate Your Driving Needs

Before shopping for new tyres, first consider how you primarily drive your SUV or crossover. Important factors to think about include:

Place of residence – Do you live in an area with harsh winters or year-round warm climate? Tyres need to perform well in your local conditions.
Commuting distances – Do you have a long highway commute or only short drives around town? Long distances at high speeds require tyres focused on comfort and wear resistance.
Off-roading frequency – Do you occasionally need increased traction on dirt roads or regularly go off-roading? The amount of off-road grip needed determines all-terrain vs. mud terrain tyres.
Passenger and cargo loads – Do you regularly maximise your SUV’s passenger and cargo capacity? Load-range tyres are built for carrying heavier loads.

Analysing your typical driving style helps narrow the field when selecting new tyres.

Prioritise Safety

Safety should be the top priority when choosing new tyres. Dangerously worn treads, improper inflation pressure, and aged rubber compounds can all lead to blowouts or loss of control behind the wheel. Goodyear emphasises evaluating these key indicators of tyre safety:

Tread depth – The minimum recommened tread depth is 1.6mm, but experts suggest replacing tyres earlier at 3mm to maintain optimal wet braking and hydroplaning resistance.
Tyre pressure – Underinflated tyres wear faster in the center and lose performance. Overinflated tyres reduce braking traction and are more prone to impacts. Always inflate to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended PSI.
Tyre age – Rubber compounds degrade over time, even with no use. Tyres older than 10 years should be replaced to maximise wet weather grip and handling.

Regular tyre rotation and wheel alignments also help maximise tread life and control. Prioritising safety reduces the risks of an accident when operating a large SUV or crossover.

Match OEM Tyre Specifications

For optimal ride quality and handling, Goodyear suggests replacing tyres with ones matching your vehicle’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) factory specifications, including:

Tyre size – Using the same diameter, width, and aspect ratio maintains proper clearance and gearing.
Load index – Match or exceed the OEM load rating to safely carry your SUV’s weight, especially if often loaded down.
Speed rating – Only use a speed rating at or above your vehicle’s top speed for stability at highway speeds.
Construction type – Many SUVs come with rugged LT-metric tyres from the factory for towing needs.

Minor deviations from OEM specs won’t drastically impact performance, but correct sizing ensures you get the same dynamics envisioned by the vehicle engineers.

Choose Design Based on Climate

Your local climate is a major factor when narrowing down tyre patterns and compounds. Key elements to evaluate include:

Year-round warm weather – Prioritise wet traction with broad tread grooves to channel water, along with comfort from silica compounds.
Seasonal winter conditions – Opt for an aggressive snow tyre with biting edges or an all-weather tyre with advanced siping for snow/ice traction.
Desert-like heat – Specialised compounds withstand intense heat without excessive wear or hardening over time.
Heavy rain – Wide circumferential grooves quickly expel water to resist hydroplaning during downpours.

Consulting specialists at your local Goodyear dealer can help identify the ideal tyre design for safer driving in your area’s weather and temperatures.

Balance Performance Factors

While safety and condition-specific needs take priority, also evaluate these performance factors based on your driving style:

Responsive handling – Stiffer sidewalls and wider tread improve cornering, at the cost of ride comfort.
Ride quality – More flexible sidewalls dampen vibrations but can reduce sharp handling response.
Tread life – Higher treadwear warranties indicate compounds resistant to wear, though potentially lacking grip.
Fuel economy– Low rolling resistance designs save petrol but typically brake longer in wet conditions.
Noise levels – Some tread patterns minimise road noise for a quieter cabin experience.
Appearance – Certain on-road focused tyres avoid the aggressive aesthetics of off-road mud terrain tyres.

Test driving various options can help experience the performance tradeoffs firsthand. An expert Goodyear tyre shop can also provide guidance on finding the ideal balance for your needs.

Shop Local Goodyear Dealers

Once you’ve determined the right criteria for new SUV or crossover tyres, Goodyear recommends purchasing from and having them installed by one of their trained local dealers. Benefits include:

Access to complete range of Goodyear tyres in your required size and design.
Assistance from tyre experts in selecting the ideal options for your vehicle and driving needs.
Professional installation by certified technicians using proper equipment.
Peace of mind with installations backed by Goodyear’s limited warranty program.
Convenient tyre servicing for rotations, alignments, and maintenance to maximise value.

Brendale Goodyear is a leading Goodyear-authorised dealer in Brendale, Queensland. We provide complete tyre services from knowledgeable recommendations to expert installations. Visit or contact us today to get started finding the right Goodyear tyres tailored for your SUV or crossover.

Frequently Asked Questions

✓How often should I rotate the tyres on my SUV?

Rotating tyres every 6,000 – 8,000 miles helps maintain even treadwear. Follow a criss-cross pattern between front and rear.

✓Can I mix different tyre brands on my SUV?

It’s best to avoid mixing brands which can impact handling. Stick with the same models across all four tyres for consistent performance.

✓Do I need alignment when buying new tyres for my crossover?

Yes, an alignment helps maximise tread life and prevent uneven wear. Any time you replace tyres is a good opportunity to realign the wheels.

✓What’s the difference between all-season and all-terrain tyres?

All-seasons work decently on pavement and light snow. All-terrains better grip dirt, gravel, and trails but may be noisier on roads.