Interior Noise & KO2 (1 Viewer)

[Madtiger]

I had a bright idea (for me, it is!) this morning while driving to work.

Measuring device: Apple Watch Series 4, which has an accurate mic (per internet sources).

Model: 2019 LC

Tires: stock sized BFG KO2 (285/60/18 Load Range D) at 46 psi cold.

Mileage of tires: approx 22,800 miles (changed to KO2 at around 1000 miles on odometer)

Speed of car: 82 MPH on speedometer.

Noise = 67 dB. (It ranged from 66-68.)

I am telling you guys...love my KO2s. I don’t know about other sizes or load ranges, but these stock sized Load Range D KO2s rock!! Quiet (probably on par with stock tires?). Rides great.

 

[USMCVader]

I haven't put them on my LC yet, but had KOs/KO2s on my Tundra, my Silverado, and my 4Runner, with a couple sets of them on all of them. The only issue I saw with them across all three vehicles was that as the mileage on them increases, the road noise goes up too. For some reason, it seemed worse on my Tundra than the others.

 

[Madtiger]

I haven't put them on my LC yet, but had KOs/KO2s on my Tundra, my Silverado, and my 4Runner, with a couple sets of them on all of them. The only issue I saw with them across all three vehicles was that as the mileage on them increases, the road noise goes up too. For some reason, it seemed worse on my Tundra than the others.

Yeah, i am sure that it will eventually go up (as does most tires)...but at 22,000-23,000 miles (half it’s life i guess?), it is still amazingly quiet in my LC.

My wife’s Acura MDX Michelin Defender is getting noisy/chatty with age (she is around 30-35k i think).

 

[Tex68w]

I'm a huge fan of KO2's and the BFG AT in general over the years. I have run them on many different rigs and never once have I been disappointed but I also understand their limitations (not many). My sister got 82K miles out of a set on her Navigator and Discount told her that she likely could have gone another 5K miles when they replaced, crazy stuff. Putting a set on our LC next week, looking forward to the improved performance and look.

 

[oneofew]

I've been running KO2s for the last 3 winters on my 17, they're surprisingly quiet, also worth mentioning they track better than the OEM Dunlops. As others stated here, they slightly bug down the acceleration hence the milage.
OEM weight with stock wheels 72lb
KO2 weight with 200 gen 1 wheels 88.5 lb

 

[ElJayBird]

KO2s are the best compromise that I've found so far and generally one of the best all-around tires. There are absolutely tires that I prefer for just about every situation but IMO, the KO2 is a great 'covers all bases reasonably well' solution.

 

[Reckless]

I had 1 set of KO2 and another set of KO2 DTs. The Different Thread have lasted much longer than the first set. First set was ~50k miles, second set has been ~90k and still going strong. The DTs haven't deteriorated as much so noise level is still close to new. I do wish there was a slightly better all around tire but I love the look of the KO2s. Comfort wise Michelin Defenders were better on the street esp at high speeds but I wouldn't trust it in mud/offroad.

The DTs are not as good in snow as its a harder compound. Its not bad just not as perfect as KO2s when new.

 

[Redbull]

I replaced my KO2s around 35k Miles and they still had some tread left, but probably should have replaced them at 25k miles as they became very noisy around that time. Maybe the DT would help. Wish they had better sizes for 18s. Going RG next time around.

 

[Madtiger]

I replaced my KO2s around 35k Miles and they still had some tread left, but probably should have replaced them at 25k miles as they became very noisy around that time. Maybe the DT would help. Wish they had better sizes for 18s. Going RG next time around.

Was your KO rotated on time and balanced well?? That’s odd that yours became noisy at 25k...i am 3k shy of that and it’s smooth and quiet. Maybe my load range D has something to do with that?

 

[Sinister]

I replaced my KO2s around 35k Miles and they still had some tread left, but probably should have replaced them at 25k miles as they became very noisy around that time. Maybe the DT would help. Wish they had better sizes for 18s. Going RG next time around.

Wow, that’s quick. I got 66k out of my first set. Im on 18k on my second set now.

 

[Madtiger]

Wow, that’s quick. I got 66k out of my first set. Im on 18k on my second set now.

What KO2 size now and then?

 

[Redbull]

Was your KO rotated on time and balanced well?? That’s odd that yours became noisy at 25k...i am 3k shy of that and it’s smooth and quiet. Maybe my load range D has something to do with that?

Yes every 5k miles, 5 tire rotation. I think my street use was quite heavy. High cornering loads at low and high speed, rough city streets, etc. Don't think they were designed for my type of driving so I can't fault them and I always recommend them for people looking for ATs

 

[Madtiger]

Yes every 5k miles, 5 tire rotation. I think my street use was quite heavy. High cornering loads at low and high speed, rough city streets, etc. Don't think they were designed for my type of driving so I can't fault them and I always recommend them for people looking for ATs

yeah, i drive like a grandma...my KO2 should last into 100k.

 

[Sinister]

What KO2 size now and then?

LT275/70R-18 BFGOODRICH ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 E

 

[rusty87]

FWIW, I measured the stock Dunlops, also with a Apple Watch 4 at 82 mph, and came up with 60-61 dB.

 

[Madtiger]

FWIW, I measured the stock Dunlops, also with a Apple Watch 4 at 82 mph, and came up with 60-61 dB.

Wow. That’s really quiet!

 

[LBridges]

On a 2017 LC, I replaced OEM wheels/tires with Rock Warriors and C load range KO2s. New, I found the KO2s to be both quieter and noisier than the Dunlops -- highly dependent on road surfaces, e.g., concrete vice asphalt, etc.

At just over 30K on the KO2s, miles the wife asked me to put the OEM tires back on as she said the KO2s had become noticeably louder on all surfaces and all road speeds. I agreed that there was a noticeable noise reduction in going back to OEM (to be fair, the Dunlop tires only had about 10k miles on them).

To be honest the KO2 noise didn't bother me, but the wife is much more sensitive to sound levels than me. That might be related to me attending a LOT of rock concerts in the late 60s & early 70s, not to mention working on the flight line while in the Air Force.

 

[Madtiger]

maybe every 5k miles or so, I will post results of dB.

 

[Redbull]

Assuming conditions were similar @rusty87 got 60 decibels and @Madtiger got 67 decibels. That is a big difference. It would mean it would be almost 2.0 x louder than stock based on 7 dB difference. That's before we get into unwanted vibrations and frequencies.

Don't get me wrong I'm still buying ATs but just wanted to clarify that.

 

[CharlieS]

My son observed 55 decibels on his watch in my cruiser this morning, I'm running new 33" bfg at ko2s. We weren't driving anywhere near as fast (I've never driven my cruiser 82 mph, and don't have plans to do so unless I'm being chased).