My experience with BFG K03's

[SocalRunner15]

Hey Guys,

I've had the BF Goodrich K03's for a few weeks now. I'm using the 265/70/17's E class run at around 38-40 psi.

So far i'm seeing very similar rideability as the K02's when it comes to smoothness and road noise. Almost indistinguishable actually. Since its summer here in socal, i havn't had a chance to test it in wet conditions- so thats still a question mark. They are supposed to have improved driveability in wet and snowy conditions though. I also havn't offroaded with them so i can't comment on that either.

When it comes to MPG, i've had a pretty severe drop post install. I used to get 16.5 mixed driving but i'm not getting closer to 14....so there is around a 2 to 2.5 mpg drop- consistent with what others are also experiencing.

Balancing is also proving to be an issue-- i've had them balanced 3 times so far and they still have some steering shake from 65-75 mph. With k02's they were smooth as butter in this respect. I'm going to drive with them some more and then get them road force balanced- see if that helps.

I'll continue to update as i put more miles on these tires...

If anyone would like to post their experience, that would be great as well.

 

[jgue467]

That is a rather substantial mpg drop - hmmm

Now the balancing is a known issue with 4runners - they're so light balancing them well up to 80+ is nearly impossible - it gets close but it will never be completely smooth - at least not in my experience and like you I go back over and over to DT until I'm worn out. Luck and enjoy.

 

[phattyduck]

I'm waiting until the load range C of that size comes out (should be August). My K02's are long in the tooth. My biggest hope is that the wet traction improves - that has been my issue with them all along. Not much of an issue in SoCal, but when you need it, you need it.

New tires often have worse rolling resistance that improves after a few thousand miles, but I'm also surprised that you are seeing that much difference. Maybe it is still early and driving conditions are different?

I run my K02's at 35psi on the street - have you tried lower pressures? The 4Runner is pretty light and it still meets load ratings a lower pressures on the 4Runner.

-Charlie

 

[JohnMc]

Did you change tire sizes with the K03's?

 

[SocalRunner15]

Did you change tire sizes with the K03's?

Nope....previous tires were K02 C class run with 2020 Sr5 wheels (17 inch).... 265/70/17 tires

Before those i was running wrangler duratecs on the original 2000 oem wheels (16 inch)... 265/75/16 tires

Mileage was consistent on the duratecs and the k02's.....shifted dramatically with the K03s. Still YMMV- i'm a sample size of 1.

 

[SocalRunner15]

I'm waiting until the load range C of that size comes out (should be August). My K02's are long in the tooth. My biggest hope is that the wet traction improves - that has been my issue with them all along. Not much of an issue in SoCal, but when you need it, you need it.

New tires often have worse rolling resistance that improves after a few thousand miles, but I'm also surprised that you are seeing that much difference. Maybe it is still early and driving conditions are different?

I run my K02's at 35psi on the street - have you tried lower pressures? The 4Runner is pretty light and it still meets load ratings a lower pressures on the 4Runner.

-Charlie

As far as i can tell, conditions are the same but its definitely possible there are other things at play... I'll keep driving and and try to update in a few thousand miles...

 

[Twisted Sid]

What's the weight difference in from the KO2 Cs to the KO3 Es?

 

[SocalRunner15]

What's the weight difference in from the KO2 Cs to the KO3 Es?

When i looked...it was a bit hard to find but diff websites mentioned an 8 pound difference per tire from k02 c to k03 E in the same size

 

[TracyNorton]

Balancing is also proving to be an issue-- i've had them balanced 3 times so far and they still have some steering shake from 65-75 mph. With k02's they were smooth as butter in this respect. I'm going to drive with them some more and then get them road force balanced- see if that helps.

Definitely get them road force AND high speed balanced....
Not many tire shops have the equipment so you might have to call around.

 

[SocalRunner15]

Update:

After multiple rebalancings (even road force), i finally contacted BFG for a warranty replacement. I figured maybe the tires were the issue.

BFG started the warranty process and when i took them to a local discount tire, the tires were replaced free of charge.

Before even getting in for my first ride, i realized the wheel weights were considerably less than on the previous tires. On the first K03s, there must have been at least 20-30 individual wheel weights; on the replacement batch, there were may be 2-3.


I then rode around on them and the issue was 100% resolved. Car is back to normal.

If anyone is having any balance issues that can't be fixed and you see a ton of wheel weights, you might fix it by having them warrantied. The first K03's i had were definitely defective- 2nd batch are working great...

 

[phattyduck]

Glad to hear they were able to fix it. KO2's (and now K03,'s I guess?) have had plenty of reports of balancing issues that were fixed with replacements.

I'm waiting until the load range C of that size comes out (should be August). My K02's are long in the tooth.

And update here - The load range C version of the K03's that I want are coming out NEXT August (2025) so I bit the bullet and got another set of K02s. Balanced great and back to quiet highway driving... I got ~60k on the last set and could have gotten more miles - but it was time that got them.

-Charlie

 

[TracyNorton]

Got KO3s before we headed out to San Juans in CO last mo (to get outta da heat!)....Bud's Tires out here in Riverside did a fantastic job balancing them (both RF and HS). No outer weights either. The KO2s were chewd, fractured, scraped...from AZ mining trails.

We drove all over Utah back country before heading to Silverton CO to camp up in Yankee Basin.
We did everything but Black Bear and Imogene (they closed for slides). 15psi...very comfortable.

Back home now and tires dirty, but still look new. My truck heavy w/ armor, rear drawers, fridge, and camp gear....so run 40psi on highway. Drove from Ashley National Forest (NE Utah) down the 15 back to here...Gas mileage? I'm retired so I don't care. LOL

If we get any rain this winter, that'll be be the real test. But they good.

 

[Romeo1]

I was really hoping to get a set in 285/75-17 in load C. I'll bet that's gonna be a sweet tire. But like usual, it's a hurry up and wait and a long time type deal.

 

[thezentree]

Hey Guys,

I've had the BF Goodrich K03's for a few weeks now. I'm using the 265/70/17's E class run at around 38-40 psi.

Glad you got your issues resolved. I had my first set of KO2 warrantied.

Why are you running so much pressure? I think I've got 32psi in my C range KO2s.

 

[SocalRunner15]

Glad you got your issues resolved. I had my first set of KO2 warrantied.

Why are you running so much pressure? I think I've got 32psi in my C range KO2s.

I figure i'll get better gas mileage at 40. Thats always been my go-to pressure range on most vehicles...

It's definitely a bumpier ride but imho worth it on long multi K trips...