Anyone "downgrade" their AT tires? E to C.

alext72888

alext72888

New member
I purchased some E rated 275/70/17 BFG Ko2 tires a while back because I read they were pretty much the "best", especially since they are "snow rated".

So far I've only used them for two snow seasons, and I've realized that with my lifestyle, I realistically won't be using the e rated super aggressive tires anywhere NEAR their full potential. The most off-roading I do is an unpaved parking lot or road. I use my vehicle 99% of the time on paved roads and highways.

I'm thinking about keeping the same tire size, but going with a C rated AT tire.
I had a few questions for people who have done what I'm thinking of doing.

1. Keeping the same tire size, what is the MPG increase from an e to c rated tire?

2. Any noticeable acceleration and braking performance improvements from going e to c?

3. I only have 5-10k on the ko2's and they have never seen a trail. I'm thinking about asking for $700 for all four. Not sure if that's a realistic expectation. What did you guys sell yours for?
 
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alext72888 said:
I purchased some E rated 275/70/17 BFG Ko2 tires a while back because I read they were pretty much the "best", especially since they are "snow rated".

So far I've only used them for two snow seasons, and I've realized that with my lifestyle, I realistically won't be using the e rated super aggressive tires anywhere NEAR their full potential. The most off-roading I do is an unpaved parking lot or road. I use my vehicle 99% of the time on paved roads and highways.

I'm thinking about keeping the same tire size, but going with a C rated AT tire.
I had a few questions for people who have done what I'm thinking of doing.

1. Keeping the same tire size, what is the MPG increase from an e to c rated tire?

2. Any noticeable acceleration and braking performance improvements from going e to c?

3. I only have 5-10k on the ko2's and they have never seen a trail. I'm thinking about asking for $700 for all four. Not sure if that's a realistic expectation. What did you guys sell yours for?
Click to expand...

I did, last year. I had been running 33" C load Firestone Destination ATs, which were great tires; and when it came time to get new tires I got 33" E rated KO2s. I got E rated because they were in stock and didn't have to order them.

They looked good, that was about as much as I can say for them. Fuel economy dropped about 2-3 mpg. Didn't really notice any difference in acceleration / braking though. They were no better off road that the Destination ATs (and I actually go off road), and worse on road (louder, not as secure feeling in the rain). I didn't notice the "rough ride" that a lot of people claim for the KO2s but I wasn't impressed and the fuel mileage was really aggravating me.

I removed them, got C rated Destination ATs again, and sold the set of 4 KO2s on CL... I think I had under 1k on them, and sold them for ....$750? Maybe? Guy that bought them was using them on a 3500 Ram so you can pretty much figure they are overkill as **** on a 4R.
 
I looked into E and C ratings when i was ordering. Decided to go with the C as i just didn’t need the E.


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For me MPG didn't make much of a difference running C Ko2 285's from stock 265's - say 0.5 lower if that.
 
I go back and forth e rated 285 75 17 vs p rated 275 60 20. 34 vs 33. There's a noticeable difference in weight and acceleration. Mpg adjusted for height is about 1 mpg different. I get 17.5 dash reading on 34s. 18.5 on 33s.

Roof racks and "leveling" are worse for mpg than tires in most cases.

I'd prefer c rated tires, they just don't make any in a 34 and 35s rub too much.
 
Based on what you described I would just drop down to stock tire size and get a snow tire. Or you can look at AT tires in stock size. You'd have more options and you aren't gaining much with size in the 275s.

You can find the listed weights by manufacturer and read up on unsprung weight... seems like some folks notice a difference and others don't. It's subjective so long at the difference isn't huge.

As far as getting $700 for used tires that seems pretty high. No way would I pay that.... saw a set of 4 285 KO2s with less than 1k miles for $800, no one was biting really.

Make the change though, you'll be glad you did
 
MeefZah said:
I did, last year. I had been running 33" C load Firestone Destination ATs, which were great tires; and when it came time to get new tires I got 33" E rated KO2s. I got E rated because they were in stock and didn't have to order them.

They looked good, that was about as much as I can say for them. Fuel economy dropped about 2-3 mpg. Didn't really notice any difference in acceleration / braking though. They were no better off road that the Destination ATs (and I actually go off road), and worse on road (louder, not as secure feeling in the rain). I didn't notice the "rough ride" that a lot of people claim for the KO2s but I wasn't impressed and the fuel mileage was really aggravating me.

I removed them, got C rated Destination ATs again, and sold the set of 4 KO2s on CL... I think I had under 1k on them, and sold them for ....$750? Maybe? Guy that bought them was using them on a 3500 Ram so you can pretty much figure they are overkill as **** on a 4R.
Click to expand...

I run them on my Dodge diesel also which weighs 8K pounds. I used to run C rated BFG's and I definitely feel the stiffer ride.
 
Friggin Idiot said:
Dumped the KO2 275 E's for DiscovererAT3 275 C's after 21k mi.
I didn't like how they handled in the wet/damp conditions after the initial 2/32" of tread wore away. They were also a stiff ride.
21k mi KO2 275-E Review
Click to expand...

This is my plan when my KO2's wear out. Have ~40k on them so I'm expecting to replace them in a year or so. My KO2's are hot garbage on wet pavement now.
 
MattAK said:
This is my plan when my KO2's wear out. Have ~40k on them so I'm expecting to replace them in a year or so. My KO2's are hot garbage on wet pavement now.
Click to expand...



I hear this every now and then about the decreased performance of the KO2. Yikes.

Anyways, OP, I agree with the suggestion of getting stock size. You have way more options and the size difference between the two really is minor.


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tacoyota said:
True I feel like ko2 not as great as original ko in the rain.
Click to expand...

I agree. I had 2 sets of the original KO, and this is my second vehicle that had KO2s, and they are not the enormous improvement that was marketed. Not on wet pavement, and not in snow. I won't buy them again.
 
Decipher said:
I hear this every now and then about the decreased performance of the KO2. Yikes.
Click to expand...

I have to be careful turning corners when it's wet or the tires will break traction and the traction control kicks in. They've also gotten quite noisy in the last few months. I'll be interested to see if the Cooper's I want have the same issues as they wear.
 
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