If you are choosing tyres for driving through sand-filled deserts, sandy river bottoms, beaches or other sandy areas, there are several tips to keep in mind. Here's what you need to consider. These tips will help you choose and use your tyres:

1. Choose off-road tyres if you plan to use your vehicle for multiple purposes.

If you plan to use your vehicle as an off-road vehicle as well a daily driver, you should choose off-road or all terrain tyres. These have more traction on sand than standard tyres, but they are still safe for use on city roads and highways. The only downfall is that these tyres are rated for as much speed as standard tyres so check out the limits when you buy them -- in most cases, as long as you don't race your vehicle as well as taking it off-roading, the limits won't bother you. For the best results, invest in all-terrain tyres designed with a mud and sand tread.

2. Select bias-ply tyres if your vehicle is exclusively for sand.

If you have a vehicle devoted to driving through sand and desserts, you may want to consider bias-ply tyres. These are not ideal for daily driving, but in deep sand, they give you the traction you want. Additionally, they are very strong, and if there's a sharp rock or other debris buried in the sand, these tyres are more likely to resist it than all-terrain tyres.

3.  Look into flotation tyres.

Flotation tyres are typically large tyres with wide bases. They are often used on agricultural equipment but can also be fitted to vehicles that drive through sand as well. In some cases, manufacturers even make slick (tread-less) flotation tyres for ATVs to use in sand.

The point of a flotation tyres is that it allows your vehicle to sit on the sand rather than sink into it. If you have a lightweight vehicle, talk with your tyre dealer about the benefits of flotation tyres. In some cases, they can even help you drive a 2WD through a desert.

4. Always buy five.

Whether you decide on all-terrain or off-road, bias-ply, flotation tyres or another option, almost always buy five. This is especially important if you plan to be driving through remote deserts. If one of your tyres gets a puncture, a full-size spare allows you to replace it without reducing your safety or mobility. However, if you mainly plan to drive on sandy beaches in well populated areas, you may be fine buying four tyres and a small spare.