275/70/18 Fuel Economy

[Skidaddl]

I'm struggling which way to go with AT tires, and am looking for some input.

While I love the look of larger more aggressive tires and would like a bit of extra ground clearance, one of the reasons I'm purchasing the LC is for its fuel economy, so I'm trying to take a practical approach. As most of you know, once you jump to anything 275 or larger, you typically also jump to E rated tires, meaning significantly more weight in most circumstances.

So I'm looking for some real world input from those who've specifically gone up to 275/70/18 AT tires. What tire, what rim, and how has it affected your fuel economy?

Many thanks!

 

[jenos96]

Even ATs in stock size are going to ding you 1-3mpg. If you’re not doing serious wheeling just stick with SL

 

[Skidaddl]

Even ATs in stock size are going to ding you 1-3mpg. If you’re not doing serious wheeling just stick with SL

Exactly what I'm trying to assess and weigh out. There are a few (VERY few) 275 tires in SL. Hoping someone on here has them on and can comment.

 

[Madscientist]

Nitto Terra Grappler G3 are SL in 275/70/18; I'm thinking about these once the stock Michelin tires need to be replaced, but like you want to minimize impact of tires on reducing fuel efficiency. I think the tire is only about 6-7 lbs heavier than the Michelin if I recall (37 vs 43 lbs?)- so these look promising. There is a thread about them in "Wheels and Tires" but they are new so few reports with documentation on how much they might affect mpg.

 

[D-mac]

I'm looking at a LT275/65-18 E range tire or 265/70-18 SL tire. The LT275/65 tires range are lighter than the 275/70s but of course have slightly smaller sidewalls and diameter. I'm willing to bet they have a slightly better ride and mpg than a LT275/70 or LT265/70.
The Bridgestone Dueler Ascent A/T in LT275/65 is only 49 pounds vs 60 for a Falken Wildpeak AT3W in LT275/70 (for example).

 

[Nor Cal Cruiser]

I'm struggling which way to go with AT tires, and am looking for some input.

While I love the look of larger more aggressive tires and would like a bit of extra ground clearance, one of the reasons I'm purchasing the LC is for its fuel economy, so I'm trying to take a practical approach. As most of you know, once you jump to anything 275 or larger, you typically also jump to E rated tires, meaning significantly more weight in most circumstances.

So I'm looking for some real world input from those who've specifically gone up to 275/70/18 AT tires. What tire, what rim, and how has it affected your fuel economy?

Many thanks!

I've done something similar: 285/75/17 with 17" Black Rhino's and Toyo AT III's that are C rated. I do not come close to the EPA fuel economy estimates and did not buy this thing for fuel efficiency. The hybrid engine here is much more about performance in the form of low end torque than it is about economy, unlike something like a Prius. I was getting about 17.5 highway on the OEM wheels and I get around 15-15.5 now if I accelerate unusually slowly when no one is behind me (think 12 second 0-60 time), and I get better mileage on city streets than on the highway.

I should add that I love the look and get lots of compliments on it. Moreover, I love the ride, which is much improved over the OEM setup, including the prone-to-slide Michelin rubber.

 

[jenos96]

I've done something similar: 285/75/17 with 17" Black Rhino's and Toyo AT III's that are C rated. I do not come close to the EPA fuel economy estimates and did not buy this thing for fuel efficiency. The hybrid engine here is much more about performance in the form of low end torque than it is about economy, unlike something like a Prius. I was getting about 17.5 highway on the OEM wheels and I get around 15-15.5 now if I accelerate unusually slowly when no one is behind me (think 12 second 0-60 time), and I get better mileage on city streets than on the highway.

I should add that I love the look and get lots of compliments on it. Moreover, I love the ride, which is much improved over the OEM setup, including the prone-to-slide Michelin rubber.

More like prone to puncture Michelin rubber. Resent those tires

 

[Nor Cal Cruiser]

More like prone to puncture Michelin rubber. Resent those tires

Agree. That was a garbage product to put on the new LC.

 

[t3lcfe]

If you don’t plan to use your LC for “go anywhere / any terrain”, just stay with stock tires (4-6 ply)and get the best mpg. Or just get a bit AT-look tires, but no E rate ones, you may reduce a bit mpg.
Agreed with couple folks here mentioned, the hybrid LC is not Prius one that mainly design to maximize mpg.

Some of us go with AT E rate (10-ply side wall) tires because of off-road use. We know what we pay for (low mpg), but that is what we want and happy with it We want the LC used as it is designed. On top of heavy loaded / larger tires, we also add all kind of gears / accessories and steel bumpers / winch

 

[jenos96]

If you don’t plan to use your LC for “go anywhere / any terrain”, just stay with stock tires (4-6 ply)and get the best mpg. Or just get a bit AT-look tires, but no E rate ones, you may reduce a bit mpg.
Agreed with couple folks here mentioned, the hybrid LC is not Prius one that mainly design to maximize mpg.

Some of us go with AT E rate (10-ply side wall) tires because of off-road use. We know what we pay for (low mpg), but that is what we want and happy with it We want the LC used as it is designed. On top of heavy loaded / larger tires, we also add all kind of gears / accessories and steel bumpers / winch

I just get the SL open countrys with the tire protection package when I bought the car. Already paid for itself thanks to two flats on the oems

 

[NoMe cruiser]

Yeah think about the pros and cons. If you go wheeling a handful of times a year it’s probably not worth going bigger and more aggressive. If you wheel every weekend it would be worth it.
Pros;
Looks really cool
Better ground clearance
Typically better puncture resistance
Better off road traction

Cons;
Lower mpg
More expensive
Louder
Usually don’t wear as well

I think for most of us the stock size is fine with a slightly more aggressive tread than stock tires.

 

[TakaraLC]

Yeah think about the pros and cons. If you go wheeling a handful of times a year it’s probably not worth going bigger and more aggressive. If you wheel every weekend it would be worth it.
Pros;
Looks really cool
Better ground clearance
Typically better puncture resistance
Better off road traction

Cons;
Lower mpg
More expensive
Louder
Usually don’t wear as well

I think for most of us the stock size is fine with a slightly more aggressive tread than stock tires.

As a con, most AT tires also have pretty bad cornering performance.

 

[Nor Cal Cruiser]

As a con, most AT tires also have pretty bad cornering performance.

In general, I would agree, but my experience is that the AT's corner better than the stock Michelin's. In addition to the looks, the meaningful performance improvement was worth the change.

 

[Skidaddl]

I'm looking at a LT275/65-18 E range tire or 265/70-18 SL tire. The LT275/65 tires range are lighter than the 275/70s but of course have slightly smaller sidewalls and diameter. I'm willing to bet they have a slightly better ride and mpg than a LT275/70 or LT265/70.
The Bridgestone Dueler Ascent A/T in LT275/65 is only 49 pounds vs 60 for a Falken Wildpeak AT3W in LT275/70 (for example).

Where I'm leaning right now is larger circumference, even if that means sacrificing on width slightly (which would bring me to stock size over the 275/65). The Toyo ATIII in SL stock size are a great looking, well-wearing tire at only 43 lbs. And they look dyn-o-mite!

 

[Skidaddl]

If you don’t plan to use your LC for “go anywhere / any terrain”, just stay with stock tires (4-6 ply)and get the best mpg. Or just get a bit AT-look tires, but no E rate ones, you may reduce a bit mpg.
Agreed with couple folks here mentioned, the hybrid LC is not Prius one that mainly design to maximize mpg.

Some of us go with AT E rate (10-ply side wall) tires because of off-road use. We know what we pay for (low mpg), but that is what we want and happy with it We want the LC used as it is designed. On top of heavy loaded / larger tires, we also add all kind of gears / accessories and steel bumpers / winch

Certainly understand the benefit of the E rated. I have 275/70/18 Falken Wildpeak AT3's on my Tundra. They been a great tire, and haven't really had an impact on my mpg that much. But that's a 5.7 V8 pushing those around.

Most of my offroading is gravel roads and the odd bush trail to get me into a remote section of trout stream, so I can get away with an SL tire. But even a 1/4 - 1/2" of extra ground clearance would be nice - especially for those rutted and rooty trails I often find. But like most people on here, likely around 80% of my driving will be on pavement.

 

[Markarian421]

If you don’t plan to use your LC for “go anywhere / any terrain”, just stay with stock tires (4-6 ply)and get the best mpg. Or just get a bit AT-look tires, but no E rate ones, you may reduce a bit mpg.
Agreed with couple folks here mentioned, the hybrid LC is not Prius one that mainly design to maximize mpg.

Some of us go with AT E rate (10-ply side wall) tires because of off-road use. We know what we pay for (low mpg), but that is what we want and happy with it We want the LC used as it is designed. On top of heavy loaded / larger tires, we also add all kind of gears / accessories and steel bumpers / winch

Just to clarify, E rated tires have 10 ply rated tread. The sidewall ratings will vary greatly. I have E load Duratracs on my FJ, they only have 2 ply sidewalls which are considered notoriously weak by the rock crawling folks. But they are pretty indestructible in terms of anything they can drive over without it poking into the sidewalls. (The new Duratrac RTs have three ply sidewalls.)

 

[D-mac]

Where I'm leaning right now is larger circumference, even if that means sacrificing on width slightly (which would bring me to stock size over the 275/65). The Toyo ATIII in SL stock size are a great looking, well-wearing tire at only 43 lbs. And they look dyn-o-mite!

I agree, another tempting but expensive option is the 285/65-18 size, which is the same diameter as stock 265/70.

 

[maxzemo]

I just did a review of the Terra Grappler in 275/70/18 in SL. Getting 1 MPG less than stock 20’s. Averaging 22.7 after 500 miles. Handles close to stock.

 

[neema2k]

I just did a review of the Terra Grappler in 275/70/18 in SL. Getting 1 MPG less than stock 20’s. Averaging 22.7 after 500 miles. Handles close to stock.

Have you had any trouble with the G3s pelting gravel to your windshield or fenders ? I heard a couple of complaints but I'm not sure if that's because of heavy poke or if those people are talking about the G2s. Cuz I'm seriously considering these G3s. Seems like the best option for 275 SLs. At 46lbs they're only two pounds heavier than the toyo 265/70s.

 

[Markarian421]

Have you had any trouble with the G3s pelting gravel to your windshield or fenders ? I heard a couple of complaints but I'm not sure if that's because of heavy poke or if those people are talking about the G2s. Cuz I'm seriously considering these G3s. Seems like the best option for 275 SLs. At 46lbs they're only two pounds heavier than the toyo 265/70s.

Is there any all terrain tire that doesn't do that at least a little? (Unless they're poking way out the rocks shouldn't be able to make it far.)