are you staying true to tire speed ratings?

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usdmej

New member
currently shopping for a 33" set of KO2s, it looks like tirerack has two options in the C load range, a Q (99mph) and an S (112mph) rated tire. Stock 4runner tires are S rated and this somewhat aligns with the 4runners factory top speed (115mph).

usually i would just go with the S rated tire, but it's 7 pounds heavier than the Q rated one and i also have no intention of ever breaking 100mph in this vehicle. i wouldn't mind keeping that weight off the vehicle.

would i be rolling the dice if i went with the lower top speed rated tire and stayed under it's speed rating?
 
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Any states where the speed limit is 99+?

Speed ratings on tires mated to the top speed of the car are mandated because some idiot will drive for an extended period at high speeds and blow up a tire.

There is nothing to preclude you from using a tire with a lower rating. Snow/winter tires in Europe come with a sticker for your dash showing the top speed of the tire. It is mandated to affix the sticker if the rating of the tire is below the rating of the car.
 

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i guess the question i'm asking is


between the Q and S rated version of the 285/70/17 KO2, there's for sure a difference in construction, about 7 pounds worth according to Tire Rack.


do you guys think this difference in construction would be noticed in the scope that most of us use our 4runners for (highway driving under 90mph and occasional trail use/overlanding)?
 
It all depends on how you drive your vehicle.
I drive the legal, posted speed limit. I also live a couple miles down dirt roads. Some local roads require 4wd.
So I look for robust construction which means heavier tire.
If I lived in a city, or a town, I'd maybe look at a different tire better suited to that type of driving.
So the answer is, "it depends".

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
usdmej said:
i guess the question i'm asking is





between the Q and S rated version of the 285/70/17 KO2, there's for sure a difference in construction, about 7 pounds worth according to Tire Rack.





do you guys think this difference in construction would be noticed in the scope that most of us use our 4runners for (highway driving under 90mph and occasional trail use/overlanding)?
Click to expand...
I have had 2 sets of 285/70/17 KO2's that were Q rated and have a 3rd set on now. I know at least 2 dozen other people personally that have those same tires also Q rated. These people range from grocery getter daily drivers, to gravel road drivers, to overlanding in the backcountry. You will be fine with the construction of the tires and that Q rating wont make a bit of difference to you.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
4runnin4mylife said:
I have had 2 sets of 285/70/17 KO2's that were Q rated and have a 3rd set on now. I know at least 2 dozen other people personally that have those same tires also Q rated.
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very much appreciate your experience!

i assume the S rated tires are stiffer to handle the higher speed they're rated at, whether or not that translates to durability on a trail is what has me agonizing over at the moment. i'll probably just go with the q rated tires
 
LandCruiser said:
This thing wasn't meant to go much faster than 90mph.
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That's very true. I've done 90mph in my 4R a handful of times to pass on long highway stretches where the speed limit is 80mph and it does not like that speed very much at all. Engine is revving high, feels like it's getting blown around in wind, and is very top heavy. Again I've only done it a few times to pass a 18 wheeler and I would never recommend doing that on a regular basis. Usually I'm at 70-75mph and it's much more comfortable at that speed range.
 
usdmej said:
i guess the question i'm asking is between the Q and S rated version of the 285/70/17 KO2, there's for sure a difference in construction, about 7 pounds worth according to Tire Rack.


do you guys think this difference in construction would be noticed in the scope that most of us use our 4runners for (highway driving under 90mph and occasional trail use/overlanding)?
Click to expand...

Any KO2 is going to be fine for what you describe. All of the KO2 series are made to go off-road and both of those have the same C load range. If you lived in SD or WY and constantly drove at 85mph or more then I would consider the extra margin offered by the S-rated tire.
 
sn_85 said:
That's very true. I've done 90mph in my 4R a handful of times to pass on long highway stretches where the speed limit is 80mph and it does not like that speed very much at all. Engine is revving high, feels like it's getting blown around in wind, and is very top heavy. Again I've only done it a few times to pass a 18 wheeler and I would never recommend doing that on a regular basis. Usually I'm at 70-75mph and it's much more comfortable at that speed range.
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When I drove my '10 TE out west a couple of years ago, I hit South Dakota where the speed limit was 80 and minimal truck, or really any traffic. I did 90 almost all the way across the state and the 4Runner did fine. I think my gas mileage dropped to about 16.5 but it was solid. There were a couple of quail that hit the windshield and made pretty some pretty loud thumps. Another one hit the fog light surround and its whole body was wedged in between the fog light and the bumper with just its feet sticking out. That was a mess to dig out.

My '20 on the other hand doesn't seem to want to go that fast... more of a struggle. And it seems to feel looser at that speed. I think I will have to add the Bilstein 5100s and get a better alignment to approach my old 4Runner's stability.
 
00Sebby said:
When I drove my '10 TE out west a couple of years ago, I hit South Dakota where the speed limit was 80 and minimal truck, or really any traffic. I did 90 almost all the way across the state and the 4Runner did fine. I think my gas mileage dropped to about 16.5 but it was solid. There were a couple of quail that hit the windshield and made pretty some pretty loud thumps. Another one hit the fog light surround and its whole body was wedged in between the fog light and the bumper with just its feet sticking out. That was a mess to dig out.

My '20 on the other hand doesn't seem to want to go that fast... more of a struggle. And it seems to feel looser at that speed. I think I will have to add the Bilstein 5100s and get a better alignment to approach my old 4Runner's stability.
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This, not sure if it's the vehicle setup, road conditions, tire choice, or what but I promise you that you wouldn't want to drive mine over 85mph. The fastest I've gone in TX was 80 and that felt too fast.
 
LandCruiser said:
This, not sure if it's the vehicle setup, road conditions, tire choice, or what but I promise you that you wouldn't want to drive mine over 85mph. The fastest I've gone in TX was 80 and that felt too fast.
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The '10 had KO2s C-load factory size, Bilstein 5100s and I asked for them to max the caster when I had it aligned. It was super smooth and stable at any speed it could do... think may 103 was the fastest I saw on speedometer. I really missed that vehicle when I had my '20 Rubicon, so I got rid of the Jeep and bought my '20 ORP. But I am still missing the '10 because it just seemed to be better at almost everything (handling, highway manners, acceleration, fuel mileage, looked better, etc). I have new KO2s on the 20 but no Bilsteins yet. Hopefully the '20 will get there or I'm just going to get a Land Cruiser and be done with it.
 
I’ve never, in any way, ever been compelled to do much more than 85 in either of my 4runners... even at 85 it just doesn’t seem safe compared to doing it in my M5 or X3. Hell the M5 feels safer at 140 than the 4Runner does at 85.

I wouldn’t worry about speed ratings on a tire on a 4runner. Get the tire that fits your need.
 
sn_85 said:
That's very true. I've done 90mph in my 4R a handful of times to pass on long highway stretches where the speed limit is 80mph and it does not like that speed very much at all. Engine is revving high, feels like it's getting blown around in wind, and is very top heavy. Again I've only done it a few times to pass a 18 wheeler and I would never recommend doing that on a regular basis. Usually I'm at 70-75mph and it's much more comfortable at that speed range.
Click to expand...

im guessing this is more due to the fact that you have bumpers skids and sliders (roof rack too?) than the 4runner not doing well at higher speeds. I've never thought 90-95 was a chore for the vehicle or truly unsafe, but im just lifted, 285s, and a have a steel front skid.
 
tm965 said:
im guessing this is more due to the fact that you have bumpers skids and sliders (roof rack too?) than the 4runner not doing well at higher speeds. I've never thought 90-95 was a chore for the vehicle or truly unsafe, but im just lifted, 285s, and a have a steel front skid.
Click to expand...

Yes and no. I've observed this even as my rig has evolved. Even when I was "light" with a slimline front bumper, sliders, skids and stock size ATs I never really felt comfortable with 90-95 for long stretches. I'm a nanny when I drive and rarely drive over 80mph moreso of fear of getting pulled over so that may be part of it. I lived out west for a while and you face a lot of crosswinds and headwinds which makes passing vehicles more tricky than it seems. It's not really aerodynamic enough to travel at those speeds for long stretches when you're getting blown around.
 
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