Just when I thought my Khumo (korean for crap) were going to last more than 20,000km, it appears they will need replacement in the next few weeks.
I am hoping that we can get some ideas on what we can get locally and imported for our cars. This thread is only for the 20" tires, as the 18" have more selection.
Can people who have non OEM tires report they success/failures on replacement tires for our cars.
I am after road tires, not offroad, but this thread is for all types.
Our OEM Kumhos have done 60k but are getting close. So I haven't been totally unhappy with Kumhos. (BTW the Jeep is predominately my wives drive, may partly explain the extended tyre life as she really does baby the thing).
For me, a quiet ride is most important so will likely opt for something only slightly different, being the Kumhos Crugen KL33s.
Initial impressions of the Xeon LTZs after a hundred km:
They certainly feel better than the OEM Kuhmos. The ride is noticeably smoother, particularly over speed humps and corrugations.
The steering is slightly heavier, but I think the handling is improved.
The extra height is noticeable from the inside and out. I like it
I don't notice any extra noise as I generally drive with the windows up and air on. If the tyre noise becomes noticeable I don't see the problem, just turn up the radio.
They do enhance the look of the car. I think they are more in proportion than the OEM tyres.
What does everyone else run their LTZs at? The tyre shop inflated them to 46 psi front and 42 psi rear. I rang them to query this and they recommended 42 psi all around and increase the rear to 46 psi when towing. The guy at the tyre shop reckons you can run them up to 60 psi!!! WTF? The invoice recommends rotation, alignment, balance every 5000km. Is this a Cooper thing? I would have thought every 10,000 km is sufficient.
That's about right. This is why LT tyres can take higher loads. You can find the max. allowable inflation pressure marked on the side wall. My Bridgestone D697s go to 65psi. Assuming your tyres are LT275/55R20, according to the Tyre and Rim Association Manual, at 60psi your tyres should be able to take a load of about 1,120kg, that is 2,240kg per axle. Unfortunately the Jeep's suspension will take only 1,452kg per axles (65%). This might seem a waste but it's testament to the toughness of the tyre which is exactly why LTs are favoured off road.
That's pretty normal these days, see http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=43 . Once upon a time it was all about getting the tyres to wear out about the same time. Now it's more about keeping the diameter of each tyre about the same so as not to confuse the poor little computer.
Gave the Terra Grapplers a work out this week including various 4wd configurations at Mt Mee north of Brizzy. Downhill descent is a great feature and whilst I only went "moderate" due to having steps and not removing the airdam, it was challenging enough and the tyres and car performance was brilliant. Not going to clean it as I like the tough new look!!
Well, well,well maybe the rumors may be true, just got my Jeep serviced and their telling me all four of my Cooper LTZ's have cracked sidewalls on the inside, got 80,000km on them now but only about half worn, always been at 40 Psi.... I kinda reckon the sidewalls should last at least as long as the tread, always seem to on every other tyre I've ever brought.... Now what do I put on it?
At the risk of being considered the odd one out here, I finally replaced the OEM Kumhos KL21's after 65,000km.
I replaced them with the Kumho Crugen KL33's. The main reason was that I was not satisfied with other options on the market when the main requirement is a quiet (and comfortable) ride.
About to replace the fronts only of my cooper at3. The left front has worn on the outside shoulder at 40,000k. I've had them aligned twice but the left has never seem right. I'm going to change them now as the right front is still good, so ill use that as the spare.
How often do you guys rotate your tyres? If serviced at a Dealer they are supposed to do it every service, but I suspect that many don't. I always rotate ours every 10,000k.
Has anyone fitted 275/45 x 20's to their Jeep?
There's a fair bit more to choose from in that size and the change in rolling diameter is around 2% slower.
Found a split in the sidewall of one of my rear tyres. It is near the rim, and appears to have been done by a knife or blade ! It's about 20mm long, and no abrasions near it.
These are still the original Kumhos and my rears have the most tread, which currently have done 28,000 klms and still looking reasonable. The fronts maybe have another 10,000klms left on them.
Have decided to go for 4 Cooper Zeon LTZ 285/50/20.
Did nothing with the spare.
Have now travelled over 1000 k on the Coopers.
Ride is smooth
Noise is evident, but not overwhelming
Issues, car appears to jump about on irregular road surfaces, but once used to it, not a real problem.
Anyone have some experience with SRT tyres other than the Pirelli Scorpions that come stock? Would be interesting to know what 'readily' available options are out there for a summer/all season high performance SUV tyre in the 295-45 R20 spec?
You win! I guess the freeway is what they were made for. Mine lasted 10,000km with some off-road. That is obviously not what they were made for. So why did they put them on a 4x4? Potential purchasers test drive cars on the road so a tyre with good road feel is essential. Also, because of reviewers' fanatical fascination with fuel economy, it is essential that cars roll out of the factory with fuel efficient tyres. By the time the public realise they have been hoodwinked, the good figures are out there.
im looking at these at the minute, mates have them on their gc's they have a higher speed and load rating than the oems..being quoted $370-$420ea, just called another shop he's at $340 i signed up fitted and balanced and $44 for full alignment. but unfortunately no aussie stock from kumho and no ETA at 30k there aint much left in them i guess i will wing it with the slicks.
I'm currently running these. They ride a little softer (less harsh) than the KL21s and are a little better in the wet. $340 ea sounds about what I paid. However I got a 4WD suspension shop to do the wheel alignment that cost about $90, and who did a good job of removing nearly all of the steering wheel pull to the left that was standard out the factory. For $44 wheel alignment, they will probably only do the front, and not all 4 wheels. Be sure they are experienced in 4WDs.