New & Used: 9673 Kings Auto Mall Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249
Used: 435 E Galbraith Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45215
Sales:
(513) 741-1111
Service:
(513) 697-5200
Whether you're venturing to Haspin Acres, Dirty Turtle Off-Road, or another hidden gem in the Cincinnati wilderness, your off-road journey starts long before you hit the trail. It begins with your search for "off-road tires near me" and the team at McCluskey Chevrolet. What do we mean?
If you've spent time in the woods, you know that a good set of tires sets the tone for your adventure and plays a vital role in your safety. With most trail runs taking you miles from a paved road, safety is something you can't risk. Heading into the woods with all-season or highway tires is like Pablo Picasso painting with a toothbrush. The tool isn't appropriate for the craft.
Here at McCluskey Chevrolet, we're here to ensure you have the right tools for your next adventure. Because we share your passion for the outdoors, we know the vital role that your tires play in your vehicle's performance and your safety on the road and down the trail. We'll help you get the most out of your time behind the wheel by outfitting your rig with a reputable set of off-road tires that can match your sense of adventure and give you the confidence to explore new terrain.
So, how do you get started? Your search brought you to the experts. We believe that knowledge is power, and we're happy to share a few insights into off-road tires, how they work, and how long they last. We'll also show you everything we have to offer and why we're the one-stop-shop for off-roaders throughout Cincinnati and the surrounding areas!
There's little that can compare to the feeling of navigating a technical area of terrain where you push your vehicle and your driving abilities to their limits. However, to get to this point requires a good set of off-road tires that go beyond a traditional highway or all-season tire in terms of performance. So, what is an off-road tire, and what makes it more rugged?
Off-road tires are made from higher-strength rubber with reinforced sidewalls so that they're more rugged and resistant to punctures. Along with this more durable rubber, they're also distinguished by their aggressive tread patterns that feature broader tread blocks. The design optimizes traction or the tire's grip on the road in dirt, mud, sand, gravel, or other slippery terrains.
There are two main categories of off-road tires: all-terrain and mud-terrain. All-terrain tires are the most popular because they are equally at home on the trail and on the street. Their interlocking tread design optimizes traction on off-road terrain but doesn't create excessive road noise or diminish ride quality. They also don't drastically reduce fuel efficiency, making them an ideal option if you spend your weekdays commuting in Cincinnati and your weekends in the woods.
Mud-terrain tires are the most aggressive off-road tires and are ideal if you spend a lot of time in extreme conditions like wet snow or thick mud. Their rugged sidewall design makes them nearly impenetrable to rocks and other debris. They also have an extremely aggressive tread pattern that constantly channels mud, snow, and water away from the tire to optimize traction. However, this comes at the cost of ride quality, road noise, and efficiency.
There's no definitive answer to how long your off-road tires will last. While one tire expert might estimate your off-road tires will last up to 40,000 miles, another might say they won't make it past 30,000 miles. It's hard to predict the life of your tires without knowing your driving style, the terrain you're navigating, and how strict you are about routine tire maintenance.
Generally speaking, mud-terrain tires typically wear faster than other off-road or all-terrain tires because of the grueling environment in which they perform. As a result, most extreme off-roaders put mud-terrain tires on a dedicated rig that they only use on the trail. This extends the tire's life and means not having to spend your weekday commute battling the road noise and the inefficiency of a beefy mud-terrain.
Another way to extend the life of any off-road tire is to know the proper tire pressure when you're on the trail. The manufacturer's recommended tire pressure is typically printed on a sticker inside the door jamb or in the owner's manual; however, this tire pressure is not always ideal when you're off the pavement. You'll see experienced off-roaders airing down their tires before navigating a trail because the lower air pressure increases the tire's footprint, which yields more traction. Because airing down makes the tire moldable to the terrain, it also limits excessive tread wear and reduces the risk of punctures.
To ensure your off-road tires last longer, you'll also want to monitor your shocks or the vehicle's suspension. The suspension is commonly known for affecting ride quality, but there's more to it than that. The suspension relies on the shocks to absorb the bumps or "shocks" caused when your tires pass an uneven area or obstacle in the road or trail. The shocks constantly expand and compress, giving your axles, tires, and wheels a cushion to respond. When the shocks are worn, your off-road tires pay the price with uneven tread wear known as cupping.
Shopping for a durable set of off-road tires is only the first step in a long line of routine maintenance you'll want to do to ensure your off-road rig is always ready for its next adventure. We've already mentioned the importance of checking your shocks and monitoring the tread on your tires. So, what else do you need to do?
(h3) Alignments
As with any other vehicle, you'll want to ensure your tires are properly rotated, balanced, and aligned. Alignments are critical if you've installed a suspension lift and added larger tires. In this case, the factory alignment is void, which means you'll need the expertise of our certified technicians to align your rig according to its latest mods.
Routine oil changes are vital to your vehicle's longevity, especially when pushing it to its limits on the trail. Oil cleans, cools, and lubricates your engine and its many moving parts. However, it slowly turns into sludge and loses effectiveness as it picks up dirt and debris. If you ignore the oil life indicator for too long, this sludge can become a costly inconvenience that leads to more extensive engine repair.
Off-roaders love their gear, which means there are thousands of options to upgrade or modify your off-road rig. Our parts department is a shopper's paradise for accessories and everything you might need to modify your trail runner. For example, you can add heavy-duty bumpers, upgraded shocks, a suspension lift, exterior lighting, a snorkel, skid plates, spare fuel cans, heavy-duty floor mats, and more. The options go as far as your imagination will allow.
When it's time to outfit your rig for the trail, there's no better team to trust than McCluskey Chevrolet. Our state-of-the-art service department and tire center is home to the latest tools and equipment, which guarantees everything you need is in one convenient location. But, more importantly, the factory-trained technicians that run our service center are experts who treat every vehicle as their own.
This unique approach, competitive pricing, and commitment to transparency and integrity sets us apart from everyone else. Just as our sales team will tell you that buying a vehicle should be exciting and fun, our service team is here to guarantee the same long after you sign on the dotted line. As a vehicle owner, getting excited about routine maintenance and repair may seem like a long shot, but it's not when you trust the McCluskey Chevrolet team.
We're here to make everything from shopping for off-road tires to routine maintenance an enjoyable and stress-free experience. Are you ready to see it for yourself? If so, it's time to venture to McCluskey Chevrolet, where the team can't wait to hear about your next big adventure and how they can help make it happen.
