The shine is wearing off! Dealer says I need new tires after 30k?!

Everyone knows that a brand new vehicle corners better, accelerates faster, and brakes harder. Makes sense that the tires would be wearing quicker. My guess is it comes down to the fact that Toyota (like most large brands) probably has several preferred tire companies but most likely just sends out a bid request. When, say Discount Tire orders tires they might order a thousand or so. When Toyota does it they could be ordering 10x or more. I would like to think that's enough so the company that wins the bid will make a special production run. If they do I would also expect that the compound they use could be altered. I doubt they would make a special mold for the tires but making a cheaper compound could make sense. The Tundra isn't a high selling vehicle but something like the Rav4 but even at 10,000 a month that's 40,000 tires.

 

Are you using the DT compound KO2s? I've looked into those as they even come with a manufacturer warranty. Cause I'm with @JPritch I enjoy the look and performance but damn I hate shelling out money every 30k miles. So much I am considering the switch to Ridge Grapplers

 

Those look like the stockers I had on my GMC Sierra. They lasted about 25k miles before they looked ragged and within another 5k needed to be replaced. I’m sure weight and usage patterns have factored into that but I found them to be lousy on longevity and great in ride and handling. Funny how different peoples perspectives of the same product can be.

 

My wife is on her 4th set of tires at 50k. The first 3 sets of tires were Deuelers. They last us about 13k - 20k per set and they are bald below minimum tread for sure.

 

I got 32,000 on my OEM Duelers. I liked the tires - soft, quiet ride, but was not impressed with the treadwear.

 

I’ve introduced myself in different threads over the last few months. Why would someone here impersonate a Discount Tire employee? That sounds boring.
I’ve worked for Discount Tire for 5.5 years now. I’ve changed thousands of tires, sold thousands more, and inspected tons and tons of tires. People come to me with brand new tires on their brand new cars and those tires aren’t any different than the same tire I have sitting on my shelf.
There is no conspiracy for OE tires to shit the bed sooner than replacement tires.
In fact, I’m shocked that many here seem to be having the Oe Tundra Bridgestone duellers (275/55/20) wear out under 30-40 k where as the same tire came stock on Chevy Tahoe’s and suburbans and would easily hit 60-70k and the replacement is warrantied from the manufacturer at 80K.

You don’t have to believe anything I’m saying. I simply want to do my best to help dispel any rumors of some stupid conspiracy by the tire manufacturers to have tires wear out sooner.

Lots of OE tires are lower quality. I’ll give y’all that. A lower quality tire doesn’t last as long as a higher quality tire. Not too hard to understand something simple like that, is it?

Notice the Maroon color of the truck and the AustinTXTundraCrew sticker on the back?

I do agree an LT version of a tire generally has more tread depth than a p metric version.
Take the Michelin Defender LTX M/S in a 265/70/17 p metric and LTE.
The Pmetric tire starts with 12/32 of tread and the LTE starts with 13.5/32 of tread (taken right from the Michelin website).

The vehicle manufacturers aren’t going to put an LT tire on a half ton when a p metric tire holds the weight of the truck just fine. The p metric is lighter and that means less unsprung weight which equates to better gas mileage.

I’ve seen many people get far more mileage than expected on tires and I’ve also seen people get absolutely horrible mileage on tires.
Many things like air pressure, tire maintenance, driving style and climate affect tread life.

I once saw a guy with 90k and counting on a set of P metric Nitto G2’s on an F150. He drives between Dallas and Austin for work and he rotated his tires every 5-6k miles.

 

Your example is a small difference compared to most. The difference in tread depth between p rated and LT for Michelin LTX AT2's and Nitto Ridge Grapplers (two common Tundra tires) is more than double that amount for popular Tundra sizes.

 

I agree. The Falken AT3 p version have 12/32 and the LT version have 20/32.

 

I hope the seller is discounting for poor life span. You do not mention vehicle but after the 2nd set getting less than 20k miles it is time for something else. I am guessing you are not getting the correct load tire for your vehicle causing premature wear.

 

Hi Scuba, I appreciate everything you do here. I see your point but I disagree in some areas.....

That's okay. That's part of being a human being.... we're always disagreeing......

I don't believe the tire companies make a lesser tires for OEM. I just believe they make a little softer for a better ride from the factory.

They have to be making tires to fulfill orders for manufactures such as Toyota because of the volume of tires being used at any particular time. They can't possibly be fulfilling orders straight from existing stock of tires. I'm also certain that rubber compounds vary batch to batch. Also, that there exists tolerances and tests in place to assure consistency still provide for common sense manufacturing variances.

It makes sense to me that a batch specifically targeted for Toyota might be..... a little different. Not buying any conspiracies. Just practical manufacturing operations.

 

The vehicle is a 2015 Sequoia and I'm using the OEM tires, so I assume the load rating is correct. The first set came on the rig, the second set I bought as new take offs with set of wheels <900 miles on them. The third set were OEM from a Tundra, again nearly new take offs with <300 miles. Been getting them super cheap so I haven't worried much about it. Had I paid full price I would be livid. Today I broke down and bought a set of Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S and had them installed. These better last 50k.

 

I hope those do last a bit longer. Guessing OEM were a P rated as were the following sets, and sure the Sequoia's weight would test them.

Wife had a Volvo XC90 (SUV) a while back, had purchased 2nd hand from dealer and it had some nice new Yokohama sport directionals on it. Those tires only lasted like 15k miles. Put some 60k Bridgestones on it, 20k later they were not holding up. Did a little research on it and found the XV90 is a tank, weighing like 6,000 lbs (surprisingly) and needed a better load rated tire; 6,000 / 4 = #1500 min. Learned that tires actually have a weight load stamped on them. Found another Bridgestone rated for like 1800 lbs. each, (others were like 1200-1300 lbs). Luckily NTB Prorated a refund towards the new set and got the new ones for like half the listed price.

 

WTF are you all doing to your KO2s that they only last 20k? Mine have 80k on them and there's still like 8k of life left. I take my truck off road 2-3 times a month. If you're not getting at LEAST 50k out of KO2s, you or your shit is broken.

 

OP talking about Bridgestone Duelers. I believe folks are bragging about their KO2's.

 

oh ok.

 

No idea they are OEM

 

Lots of complaints out there across all the truck lines. I had the KOs . I wouldn't buy the KO2s. Plenty of cheaper alternatives that pull better and last just as long like Cooper or Falken.

Theyre just not worth the money.

 

I agree 100%

I was the Lone Gringo working the sales side of a tire shop in Hialeah Florida in the mid 80's, and I had years of experience working the sales floor of major auto parts stores before that. For the most part, people do not think about their tires until something goes wrong. The same can be said for the rest of the vehicle, they just put gas in and drive the things without ever opening the hood.

In my experience, Michelin makes the roundest tires available. They balance better and roll along smother than the competition, but a driver that pays little to no attention to their tires can wear them out just as fast as any other brand. Tires are the only part of your vehicle that touches the road, so it makes sense to me that you inspect, rotate, balance, and check the air pressure in them often.

 

First question: How much shit do you hear about the maroon truck in Austin? I swear sometimes manufacturers only make that color because 90% of Aggies buy them.

I haven’t read this whole thread, but bought both a Tundra and a Sequoia in 2011 that came with Bridgestone tires. The tires on both wore out sooner than expected. My local Discount Tire told me that those tires did tend to wear out prematurely. They didn’t say it was because Bridgestone made lower quality for OEM, just that those tires had issues. This was in 2012 though, so it may have been just an issue at the time.

My current Tundra didn’t have Bridgestones, but the new Sequoia does. We’ll see how well they do.

 

What size Bridgestones will wear out with a 3” lift?

 

I just got my second Toyota care done yesterday. They noted tire depth front was 10 rear was 11 ! I have 7000 miles no towing done WTH !! Bridgestone tires Duelers

 

Javens a 2018 1794 that came with Duelers. I just replaced them at 23K. I could have gotten another 5K out of them, but they were looking pretty rough. Rotated every 5K. With winter coming up, it made sense to chuck them. Got a deal at Discount Tire during their labor day sale, picked up some Terra Grapplers and got 15% off. Also replaced my wife Duelers on her Ukon XL Denali with 17K on them (one had a gash in the side wall, but was still fine) and those wore pretty quick. Maybe 10K left on those, but for the same reason , chucked them. Got Michelin Defenders for her, also with 15% off.

 

Lots of positive feedback across all the truck lines on them as well. They are worth the money.
There's lots of positive and negative reviews about the Tundra too. BUT this isn't about KO2s or Tundra.

 

I believe the consensus is the KO2 is software than the KOs. Which is good and bad. I believe the KO was a consistent 60,000 miler. I can't say the same for the KO2s. No way I'd pay close to $350 a tire for them. Just my penny.

 

The Cooper ST Maxx certainly are not much cheaper. Cooper is proud of those pups just like BFG is of the KO2s

 

I wouldn't put a KO2 and a ST Maxx in the same category. You can regular find AT Coopers at least $100 cheaper per tire. Falkens even more.

 

KO2s are $250 each for DD reasonable sizes. They are average price tires. I'm getting 80k out of them. I'll stick to them.

 

Okay. Just discussing. For my size they're $350.

 

I had a set of Michelin MS/2's (now called Defenders) last ~120k on a tacoma and still had tread left! I replaced them due to the condition of the tire vs lack of tread once I got a flat on one of them. It was probably 80% interstate driving.

 

It’s actually technically red. Barcelona Red at that. But I think it’s a darker red that some would call maroon. Doesn’t help that it was a Texas Edition. Lol.
Actually I’ve never gotten called out for the color

Yes, the tread compound of the KO2 is softer than the KO. Why? Better traction and stopping distance than the original.
They did however come out with a newer version called the KO2 DT. It has a harder tread compound to help with treadwear and longevity. But it is not a snowflake tire.
I have 275/65/20’s on mine and I love them. Great tire. Traction in the rain isn’t exactly the best but I know not to be dumb with it when it’s raining. I found out that I actually sold these tires to the previous owner of my truck back in 2016. Small world. Crazy coincidence.

I may go with a street tire next time though. I found out Michelin makes a 35/12.50/20 Defender.