Locking/Unlocking the Centre Diff while moving

[landmannnn]

They are garbage on icy roads. Yes they are 3PMS rated - but I think if you do a lot of snow and ice, real snow tires are the way to go (I’m not even talking about studded tires). I switch over in November once the temperature drops. But for infrequent snow days - probably fine for an AT tire. I hear the K03’s are a little better.

True, 3PMSF rating is just that the tyres have 10% more traction than this reference tyre.

 

[Blackwolf]

I've always been puzzled and had my own theories about the way that about 50% of Defender owners who run KO2 or KO3 tyres swear by them and 50% swear at them, it makes no sense that opinions of the same tyre can vary so much and it has made me wonder if different factories use different compounds,

I also thought that the video below was interesting, looking in detail at the KO3. Spoiler, not all KO3s are the same.

I run KM3s on my Defender and most of the time they are brilliant, but in snow they are extremely not good. I haven't yet had the chance to try the KO2s (I think they are 2 not 3) on my Grenadier in snow.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTKgiqgDNwQ

 

[landmannnn]

I've always been puzzled and had my own theories about the way that about 50% of Defender owners who run KO2 or KO3 tyres swear by them and 50% swear at them, it makes no sense that opinions of the same tyre can vary so much and it has made me wonder if different factories use different compounds,

I also thought that the video below was interesting, looking in detail at the KO3. Spoiler, not all KO3s are the same.

I run KM3s on my Defender and most of the time they are brilliant, but in snow they are extremely not good. I haven't yet had the chance to try the KO2s (I think they are 2 not 3) on my Grenadier in snow.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTKgiqgDNwQ

Interesting video.

Having run KOs and KO2s on and off for the last couple of decades, compared to a general SUV road biased tyre such as the Conti Cross Contact the KO2s are not a great road tyre. Noisy, harsh, fuel consumption hit, poor performance in the wet etc.

For the average Defender (or other 4x4) driver whose off road experience is parking on the grass at the local garden centre they are not a great choice.
Also not a great choice for the select few who regularly drive through thick mud.

For the other 50% or so who drive a bit of everything, they generally accept that an AT is a jack of all trades, but master of none. They wll probably like the KO2/3.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

I've always been puzzled and had my own theories about the way that about 50% of Defender owners who run KO2 or KO3 tyres swear by them and 50% swear at them, it makes no sense that opinions of the same tyre can vary so much and it has made me wonder if different factories use different compounds,

I also thought that the video below was interesting, looking in detail at the KO3. Spoiler, not all KO3s are the same.

I run KM3s on my Defender and most of the time they are brilliant, but in snow they are extremely not good. I haven't yet had the chance to try the KO2s (I think they are 2 not 3) on my Grenadier in snow.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTKgiqgDNwQ

I like his stuff - out of Idaho, I think. I think the variable feedback is because everyone is driving in different conditions. For real packed snow and ice performance, the perspective that counts is from people who have to live with that - where winter sets in with a death grip and the roads aren’t clear for significant stretches of time. Someone just driving around town in Denver is going to have a very different take from someone in rural North Dakota. What I can tell you with absolute certainty is that I get a lot of fishtailing and sliding on the K02’s, and then when I switch, it’s planted and powers through. Stops and starts are vastly improved as well.

 

[CRH]

I like his stuff - out of Idaho, I think. I think the variable feedback is because everyone is driving in different conditions. For real packed snow and ice performance, the perspective that counts is from people who have to live with that - where winter sets in with a death grip and the roads aren’t clear for significant stretches of time. Someone just driving around town in Denver is going to have a very different take from someone in rural North Dakota. What I can tell you with absolute certainty is that I get a lot of fishtailing and sliding on the K02’s, and then when I switch, it’s planted and powers through. Stops and starts are vastly improved as well.

I have read the comments from the start and your last statement sort of covers what I am about to state.
Uk driver asking what the tyres are like in snow really needs an answer from someone in the UK. We have 2-3 inches of snow, very occasionally more, it lasts generally for the rush hour to work or home then it's gone. The roads are slippy from compacted snow for a short time, or if you are early on the roads in the morning then it’s just snow. Yes, we can get it a bit worse in Wales and higher parts of England, Scotland can be a lot worse and for longer in certain parts. I don't think we are allowed studded tyres in the Uk. Most don't even bother with anything other than summer tyres on their cars. All season tyres are becoming more used and then very few have winter tyres and then some of those use all year round.

So for the UK, we are just after simple suggestions for using what we have as we aren't about to hand over £800 for tyres to use 2 days/ year.
Currently only have the ko2s on mine but I do believe in winter tyres or all season at least for all previous vehicles