KO2 no traction -Scary!

[TfourR]

Nope! Didn't get that impression from you at all, you have some great experience in the matter and added valuable input. Scroll a few pages back and plenty of people are saying "Just slow down", "Learn how to drive", etc.

Ok good. I’ll check it out. Have you experienced this since day one of owning them?

 

[Jeffy]

Ok good. I’ll check it out. Have you experienced this since day one of owning them?

Yup. They've been consistently terrible, no better nor worse, in the 55k+ miles I've had them. (kinda hard to imagine them being worse, to be honest)

 

[TfourR]

Yup. They've been consistently terrible, no better nor worse, in the 55k+ miles I've had them. (kinda hard to imagine them being worse, to be honest)

That’s too bad. I enjoy the tire and it’s been great for me and my needs. I’ve heard good things about Nittos. Haven’t experienced them myself on a 4Runner

 

[Jeffy]

That’s too bad. I enjoy the tire and it’s been great for me and my needs. I’ve heard good things about Nittos. Haven’t experienced them myself on a 4Runner

I'm about to switch to the Nitto Ridge Grappler. I don't want to spend another winter on these KO2s, especially considering my commute just got a bit longer

 

[Crusifix]

One thing is surfaces. Different areas have different pavement types.. then there are different mud, rock and stone.. different surfaces can create very experiences in what would otherwise seem like similar circumstances.

 

[Jeffy]

One thing is surfaces. Different areas have different pavement types.. then there are different mud, rock and stone.. different surfaces can create very experiences in what would otherwise seem like similar circumstances.

I thought of that, but there's like 6 different types of asphalt on the roads during my normal commute, and the tires suck on all of them.

 

[TfourR]

I'm about to switch to the Nitto Ridge Grappler. I don't want to spend another winter on these KO2s, especially considering my commute just got a bit longer

Let us know how you like the grapplers

 

[Hadelson]

It's ridiculous that two people who clearly know what they're doing have complete opposite opinions on these tires. Seems like the reliability of these tires (in regards to this specific instance) is all over the place but I can't see the connection of why we all have such varying results.

For all the people on here who claim we don't know how to drive and that's why they suck in the rain: We've got a storm coming in Wednesday, feel free to come drive my car and tell me the tires are fine. When you wreck it, you can buy me a new one.

You bring up an interesting point. Would be interesting if we could compare manufacturing runs on the tires. One constant is the 4Runner. Again, would be interesting determining if stock runners equate to no issues and modified suspensions equate to issue with tires.

PS...…...I've never had an accident, but if you would like, would take your 4Runner out testing its limits?

 

[Jimbo]

Adding anecdotal information for posterity:

2 weeks ago installed 275/70R17 KO2 Rating E on stock 2018 limited. This vehicle is driven by my kids when they are home from college, so I wanted to be sure it was safe. Took it out during an eastern PA rainstorm and tested limits in a parking lot. I found the tires to perform better in every respect than the stock tires. No wheel spin when accelerating from a stop with steering at full lock. Cornering sharply at about 30 mph did not induce a skid. Braking was fine. Never saw the traction control warning lights. (keep in mind the limited is full time AWD)

10 days later I installed the Daystar spacer leveling kit. Kept the stock XREAS shocks. 2.75" lift front, 1" lift rear. (I realize this is milder than other lifts used by T4R members)

Repeated testing in the same lot under similar wet conditions. Aside from being a tad stiffer ride in general, acceleration, cornering, and braking traction remained the same.

I have no worries about driving this thing in the rain, nor lending it to my kids.

 

[nb rob]

it's no surprise your new KO2s performed well.

The theme of this thread is that once the soft compound is gone, the tires are a totally different animal.
And the soft compound wears away very quickly. It's also what makes these tires silent when they're new.

 

[Crusifix]

it's no surprise your new KO2s performed well.

The theme of this thread is that once the soft compound is gone, the tires are a totally different animal.
And the soft compound wears away very quickly. It's also what makes these tires silent when they're new.

100% agree. Some curves I take now are down right scary on these cool WV morning drives.

 

[nb rob]

100% agree. Some curves I take now are down right scary on these cool WV morning drives.

I was in the same boat. I delayed replacing them because the treadwear still looked excellent. I can't believe how much I compromised on safety because of how much tread was left visibly.

When I did replace them, I drove home in silence with a giant shit-eating grin. I couldn't believe the enormous difference. The bubbas on the local classifieds site snapped up the old KO2s quick, because they still looked great.

Don't delay! you'll be happy you replaced them

 

[Crusifix]

I'm just trying to decide on the Cooper AT3 XLT's or Terra Grappler G2's now. Or really go all out for the Ridge Grapplers. I just worry about them on ice.

 

[Jimbo]

it's no surprise your new KO2s performed well.

The theme of this thread is that once the soft compound is gone, the tires are a totally different animal.
And the soft compound wears away very quickly. It's also what makes these tires silent when they're new.

So is the thinking that the tires don't use the same material through and through? What's that manufacturing process like?

Seems a company would be opening itself up to tons of lawsuits if it produced a tire that used better materials on the outside and wore to lesser materials over time.

Or is this just a shade tree mechanic theory?

 

[SlickTRD]

So is the thinking that the tires don't use the same material through and through? What's that manufacturing process like?

Seems a company would be opening itself up to tons of lawsuits if it produced a tire that used better materials on the outside and wore to lesser materials over time.

Or is this just a shade tree mechanic theory?

I've said it before but don't quote me on this - KO2s use little to no silica/silicate compound in this tire which can impact wet weather performance dramatically.

 

[Jimbo]

I've said it before but don't quote me on this - KO2s use little to no silica/silicate compound in this tire which can impact wet weather performance dramatically.

I completely agree with that. Hence the E rating.

But I can't envision a manufacturing process that involves using different compounds throughout the tread depth. Layered sidewalls maybe, but not the actual tread surface.

 

[Jeffy]

PS...…...I've never had an accident, but if you would like, would take your 4Runner out testing its limits?

Lol you're welcome to drive it as long as you fix what you break!

 

[SlickTRD]

I completely agree with that. Hence the E rating.

But I can't envision a manufacturing process that involves using different compounds throughout the tread depth. Layered sidewalls maybe, but not the actual tread surface.

It's actually quite common but in the reverse. The second 50% is usually a stickier but faster wearing compound.

 

[Stuttgart993]

It's ridiculous that two people who clearly know what they're doing have complete opposite opinions on these tires.

It is pretty interesting.

Also formally instructed and believe the skid pad analogy is a good one. Place me in the 'poor wet traction on Mid-Atlantic asphalt' category.

 

[Hadelson]

I'm just trying to decide on the Cooper AT3 XLT's or Terra Grappler G2's now. Or really go all out for the Ridge Grapplers. I just worry about them on ice.

Just switched out to the Cooper AT3's. What a difference over the KO2's. It's raining here today and during normal work drive not one issue where the KO2's would routinely break traction from stops......