Do I switch my Mahindra XUV700 OE tyres to all-terrain tyres

I am also planning to downsize from the stock 18" to 17" tyres.

BHPian D_Security_Guy recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

As the date of delivery for my much-awaited car is coming nearer, my belief that I should change the OE tyres to something more rugged becomes firmer.

To provide a little context, my XUV 700 AWD L is scheduled to be delivered any time this month.

As I went through the ownership threads, it looks like switching from the OE tyre (MRF Wanderer HT 235/60 R18) to an AT tyre is not something that may be labelled as over-enthusiastic (or is it?)

Since there are very limited options available in the 235/60/18 all-terrain tyres segment, I am making up my mind to downsize the wheels to 17" and look for options available here.

Using the tyre size calculators, I have shortlisted the following tyres. The difference from the OE tyres is < 0.5%

• Ceat Czar A/T 235/65 R 17
• Pirelli Scorpion ATR 235/65 R 17
• Apollo APTERRA AT2 255/60 R 17

To all the learned folks here, can you please advise on the following pointers :

1. My usages will be mostly highways and, with all probability, once in a month we'll make a trip to the hills (some offbeat places). During the hill trips, all-round the year, we encounter snow, mud, loose gravel etc. Though, I am not going to try any hardcore off-roading with this car, is it okay to switch to A/T or should I stay on the OEM?
2. What could be the possible side-effect (change in road noise/mileage/handling/etc) of downsizing the wheel, even if the difference as per the tyre size calculator is <0.5%?
3. Does stretching the width of the tyre to 255 (option #3) will cause steering/braking issues?
4. What could be the overhead cost incurred in exchanging the tyres and wheels in this case?
5. Which tyre should one choose from the above? Please add if there are any other recommendations

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

The kind of usage you are describing doesn’t really require all-terrain tires. The stock MRFs should be good enough. Why go through all this trouble for a bit of extra traction once in a blue moon? Not only will A/Ts be noisier and less grippy on highways where you’ll do 95% of your driving, but you will also get into complications with the warranty.

My suggestion is to keep the car stock for the time being. Will not suggest anything that compromises the warranty on such a brand new and complex car. Over time, choice in R18 is only going to increase, this size of getting popular. We can consider our options when this set wears out.

Here's what BHPian Kosfactor had to say on the matter:

From what we have seen on the side markings of its OE tyre - the requirement is for a (H/P) All-Season Highway/Performance tyre. It should also be good in the rain and has an M+S rating for mud and snow. Certainly, that doesn't make the OEM tyre an all-terrain tyre but it can handle some on your way.

I don't think it's a good idea to swap the tyres at this point, once they wear out you can upgrade to premium H/P All season tyres from Continental or Michelin or Pirelli as you choose.

Here's what BHPian AirbusCapt had to say on the matter:

A 235/65 R18 is a good tyre for highways. The sidewalls are thick enough for everyday use. Unless you want to hardcore off-road, there is no advantage in shifting to 17-inch rims. Moreover, the XUV 700 is not designed to do anything more than mild off-road. I suggest you leave your wheels and tyres stock for now.

Here's what BHPian sridhar-v had to say on the matter:

Re query #1&4:

I would say that your use case is bad-roading. AT tyres will definitely help. It will be 70% tyres and 30% AWD system getting you out of sticky situations.

AT tyres will be noisier than HT tyres. Depending on the tyres they will have stiffer sidewalls but the increase in sidewall will tend to counteract this to some extent. Mileage will be affected. It will typically reduce by 0.5 to 1 km/l. The peace of mind of being to go anywhere is worth the penalty.

235/65R17 size tyres are easily available. And much cheaper than 18" tyres. You will have to change your wheels also. For that, you can try and swap the alloys+tyres with an MX or AX3 owner who wants to upsize. New alloy wheels are upwards of 12K each. Steel wheels will be much cheaper. Most tyre shops will offer buyback for the 18" tyres if you go to them directly after taking delivery. None of them generally offer buyback for the alloys.

Re query #2:

If you are within 3% you don't have to worry about braking, handling or ABS etc. etc. I am running on upsized tyres (235/70R16 instead of 225/70R16). No issues at all. I am using Continental Cross Contact AT. Running is a mix of highways, rural mountain roads, dirt tracks and mud sliding.

Re query #3:

Don't go to 255. It will just add resistance without any benefits. Unless you are always driving on sand or snow.

Re query #5:

Talk to people who are using the shortlisted tyres. And then take a call.

I would also recommend the Geolander AT. Or the Continental Cross Contact LX2(75% highway & 25% bad roads).

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