Hes completely off the mark about the tire pressure/weight explanation. Just because two tires run the same pressure doesnt have anything to do with the overall weight of the tire. Thats a pretty sad explanation from someone who works at a tire shop. Youre going from a 4 ply highway tire to a 10ply all-terrain tire. Yes, you will lose some mpgs, but nothing worth stressing about.
BFG A/T KO 275/65/18 confusion?
It's time to replace the rubber on my 08 Tundra DC V6 4x2 (completely stock) and I have been driving myself insane the past few days on these forums and tire shop websites trying to decide on what to get. Yesterday, I finally decided to pull the trigger at Discount Tire on some new BFG A/T KO 275/65/18 to replace my stock Michelin 255/70/18s. I will be doing a majority of my driving on the highway (NOT hauling/towing anything) ; however, I wanted something with a more aggresive look and also still be able to give me good tread life.
Like an idiot, after I ordered them at the store, I went home and continued to do more research which ultimately lead me to experience the dreaded "buyer's remorse." What lead me to feel this way, is becuase when I was reading up on the BFG KO tire on Tirerack.com, I noticed that they said the tire's weight was 56lbs! The current Michelin LTX A/S tire's weight that I have are 38lbs...I assume this would lead to quite a loss in MPGs?
I went back to Discount Tire this afternoon to express my concerns, and one of the very nice salesman took his time trying to explain to me that I had nothing to worry about as far as hauling a heavier tire and losing gas mileage. He said that the recommended PSI for my truck is 33 PSI, which is exaclty what they would put in the new BFG KO. Since both tires are running the same 33 PSI, he said they would virtually weigh about the same. Although the BFG KO is a slightly larger tire than my stock (255/70 to 275/65), he assured me that I will not be able to tell a difference in MPG.
Although the saleman was very nice, I still realize that he is just that........a salesman. I would apppreciate if anyone here can shed some light on this for me as to wether or not I got screwed or if I truly don't have anything to worry about and should just enjoy the tire! Thanks in advance!
Like an idiot, after I ordered them at the store, I went home and continued to do more research which ultimately lead me to experience the dreaded "buyer's remorse." What lead me to feel this way, is becuase when I was reading up on the BFG KO tire on Tirerack.com, I noticed that they said the tire's weight was 56lbs! The current Michelin LTX A/S tire's weight that I have are 38lbs...I assume this would lead to quite a loss in MPGs?
I went back to Discount Tire this afternoon to express my concerns, and one of the very nice salesman took his time trying to explain to me that I had nothing to worry about as far as hauling a heavier tire and losing gas mileage. He said that the recommended PSI for my truck is 33 PSI, which is exaclty what they would put in the new BFG KO. Since both tires are running the same 33 PSI, he said they would virtually weigh about the same. Although the BFG KO is a slightly larger tire than my stock (255/70 to 275/65), he assured me that I will not be able to tell a difference in MPG.
Although the saleman was very nice, I still realize that he is just that........a salesman. I would apppreciate if anyone here can shed some light on this for me as to wether or not I got screwed or if I truly don't have anything to worry about and should just enjoy the tire! Thanks in advance!
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
Turning heavier rubber will for sure cause drop in MPG, unless he was talking about the ride and harshness.
Thanks for the quick reply guys!
Two more questions:
1) Like I mentioned before, when I was researching on tirerack.com, it said that the "tire weight" for the stock Michelin was 38lbs and the BFG KO was 56lbs....does this literrally mean that if I had both tires in front of me and put them on a scale, that is what they would weigh.......stupid question, huh? If so, how can the saleman tell me an 18lb difference per tire would not affect my MPGs?
2) I know you mentioned not to stress over the difference in loss of MPG, but I was just curious if you could tell me what sort of difference I would be looking at.....1-2mpg or 3-4mpg???
Thanks again!
Two more questions:
1) Like I mentioned before, when I was researching on tirerack.com, it said that the "tire weight" for the stock Michelin was 38lbs and the BFG KO was 56lbs....does this literrally mean that if I had both tires in front of me and put them on a scale, that is what they would weigh.......stupid question, huh? If so, how can the saleman tell me an 18lb difference per tire would not affect my MPGs?
2) I know you mentioned not to stress over the difference in loss of MPG, but I was just curious if you could tell me what sort of difference I would be looking at.....1-2mpg or 3-4mpg???
Thanks again!
I made this exact same tire switch. It drops about one mpg on the street and really hurt my freeway 4.6 doesn't have torque for the weight. Heavier tires are a huge effect on rotating mass. I haul and driven desert so I wanted the e rated tire. For a grocery getter that never works, stick with light car tires like itcamewith
Next thing, the salesman will tell you that the NITROGEN fill would make it lighter too. Or tell him to throw that in as a freebee...........
He must have been talking about doing a helium fill......
Just buy em, put em on and be happy. I have the same tire and love em...
If this is your primary concern, you should have not gotten an A/T tire. Stick to lighter, less ply street tires.I will be doing a majority of my driving on the highway (NOT hauling/towing anything)
I am about to make the same change as you: From Michelin LTX AS to BFG A/T KO - based on my research, some folks with the 5.7 reported hardly any change in mileage and not a harsh ride (Tundra only - it´s heavy)
My alternative are General Grabber AT2, which weigh only 44lbs in P rated and have a very similar tread and also a 60k tread warranty.
It would be great, if you let us know your personal real world mpg after your change. Thanks !
My alternative are General Grabber AT2, which weigh only 44lbs in P rated and have a very similar tread and also a 60k tread warranty.
It would be great, if you let us know your personal real world mpg after your change. Thanks !
I don't know anything, but this statement is very hard for me to believe.From Michelin LTX AS to BFG A/T KO - based on my research, some folks with the 5.7 reported hardly any change in mileage and not a harsh ride (Tundra only - it´s heavy)
That´s why I like to hear real world numbers from the original poster regarding mpg and ride quality.
I have the same engine 1GR-FE V6 with a cold air intake and switched from 38 lb pos tires to 58 lb. 295/65/18 Good Year Duratracs plus a 3/1 lift kit....my mpg dropped from 19 to 17 avg these are mostly highway miles (65% highway, 35% city)....the funny thing is that after the install my truck actually feels quicker from dead start....I'm guessing it is because of the shifting points that have changed with the 33 inch tires...by the way I did my research before the tire purchase and these were the lightest and most aggressive tires I've found.....oh and I've changed my wheels as well(got rid of the steel wheels) so I lost some weight installing alloys
hope this helps and good luck with your purchase
hope this helps and good luck with your purchase
The drop you saw in mph is not entirely due to the weight of the tires. Wider tires and a lift will also affect your mpg.I have the same engine 1GR-FE V6 with a cold air intake and switched from 38 lb pos tires to 58 lb. 295/65/18 Good Year Duratracs plus a 3/1 lift kit....my mpg dropped from 19 to 17 avg these are mostly highway miles (65% highway, 35% city)....the funny thing is that after the install my truck actually feels quicker from dead start....I'm guessing it is because of the shifting points that have changed with the 33 inch tires...by the way I did my research before the tire purchase and these were the lightest and most aggressive tires I've found.....oh and I've changed my wheels as well(got rid of the steel wheels) so I lost some weight installing alloys
hope this helps and good luck with your purchase
There is little weight difference between the two, I've weighted them..oh and I've changed my wheels as well(got rid of the steel wheels) so I lost some weight installing alloys
I think there's about 4 lb. difference per wheel in between my procomp wheels and the steel ones which ads up to 16lb. all together not bad
I put the same tire on about 2 months ago and a note from BF Goodrich for the 07CM I have is to change the tire pressure to 40 in the front and 42 in the back. I love them - look great and I have noticed neither a harsher ride nor a loss of MPG but most of my time is pulling a trailer so the MPG is marginal at best.
I think you made a good decision - but thats my opinion.
I think you made a good decision - but thats my opinion.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Toyota Tundra Forums
Tundra Solutions Forum - the best community to talk, mods, price, repair and research your Toyota!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Jonesy
315 Replies
Bleach
191 Replies
Professional Hand Model
185 Replies
Recommended Communities
