BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 Tire Guide
All Terrain | All Weather | 3PMSF Severe Snow Rated | 80,000 KM Limited Treadwear Warranty
The BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO3 is the latest generation of BFGoodrich's legendary all terrain tire family and the successor to the extremely popular KO2.
Designed for pickup trucks, SUVs and capable CUVs, the KO3 is built for drivers who want serious all terrain capability without giving up the ability to comfortably use their vehicle on the road every day.
BFGoodrich redesigned the tread pattern, tread compound and several structural features of the KO2 when developing the KO3. The result is a tire engineered for improved tread life, gravel durability, sidewall protection and traction across changing terrain.
For Canadian drivers, one of its most important features is its Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, meaning the KO3 meets the required severe snow traction performance standard.
BFGoodrich KO3 Quick Facts
Tire Type: All Terrain
Season Classification: All Weather
Severe Snow Rated: Yes
3PMSF Symbol: Yes
Designed For: Pickup trucks, SUVs and compatible CUVs
Treadwear Warranty: Up to 80,000 km limited treadwear warranty
Satisfaction Guarantee: 60 days
Standard Limited Warranty: 6 years
Predecessor: BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2
Primary Uses: Highway, city driving, gravel, dirt, trails, mud and snow
What Is the BFGoodrich KO3?
The BFGoodrich KO3 is a rugged all terrain tire designed to provide a balance between everyday road manners and genuine off road capability.
That distinction is important.
Some truck tires are primarily highway tires with aggressive styling. Others are dedicated mud terrain tires designed primarily around off road traction.
The KO3 sits between those categories.
It is intended for drivers who may commute on pavement during the week and encounter gravel roads, logging roads, trails, job sites, snow, mud or other challenging terrain when needed.
That versatility is one of the reasons the BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A family has become one of the most recognizable names in the all terrain tire category.
What Changed From the KO2 to the KO3?
The KO3 isn't simply a KO2 with a different tread pattern.
BFGoodrich began development of the KO3 years before its introduction and redesigned several important areas of the tire.
According to BFGoodrich, the KO3 delivers 20% better gravel road durability and 15% better wear performance compared with the KO2.
Major KO3 improvements include:
• A new all terrain tread compound
• A redesigned tread pattern
• An optimized tire footprint
• Full depth locking 3D sipes
• Updated serrated shoulder design
• Mud phobic bars
• Interlocking tread elements
• Improved sidewall protection
• CoreGard technology derived from BFGoodrich's Baja racing experience
The objective was straightforward: retain the rugged character that made the KO2 successful while improving durability, wear and traction for the next generation.
KO3 Tread Life and Durability
Durability is one of the biggest reasons to consider the KO3.
BFGoodrich developed a new all terrain tread compound specifically to withstand both normal road use and demanding off road conditions.
The tire also uses an optimized footprint designed to distribute stress more evenly across the tread.
More even distribution of load can help promote more uniform wear, particularly for trucks and SUVs that spend significant amounts of time travelling on abrasive surfaces such as gravel.
Full depth locking 3D sipes also help stabilize the tread blocks. This improves tread block stability while helping the tire maintain its functional characteristics as the tread wears.
BFGoodrich states that the KO3 provides 15% better wear performance than the KO2.
Built for Gravel Roads
Gravel can be particularly demanding on tires.
Loose rocks, sharp edges, irregular surfaces and repeated impacts can accelerate wear and increase the potential for tread damage.
BFGoodrich specifically targeted gravel durability when developing the KO3.
The company states that the KO3 provides 20% better gravel road durability compared with the KO2.
That makes the KO3 particularly attractive for drivers who regularly travel logging roads, forestry roads, construction sites, rural roads and other unpaved surfaces.
CoreGard Sidewall Protection
Off road tire durability involves much more than tread depth.
The sidewall can become vulnerable when driving through rocks, branches, ruts and other obstacles.
The KO3 uses BFGoodrich CoreGard technology with split and bruise resistant sidewall rubber derived from technology used in the BFGoodrich Baja T/A KR3 racing tire.
The tire also incorporates an Advanced Deflection Design intended to help deflect protruding objects away from the sidewall rather than allowing them to snag and potentially damage it.
Extended shoulder rubber provides additional protection farther down the sidewall in an area that can be vulnerable during off road driving.
For drivers who actually use their trucks off pavement, these features are considerably more important than aggressive tread appearance alone.
KO3 Off Road Performance
The KO3 is a true all terrain tire.
Its tread incorporates interlocking elements designed to provide biting edges for off road traction while maintaining tread stability.
The aggressive shoulder area can engage loose surfaces when additional traction is required, while the tread design helps the tire work across gravel, dirt, rocks, mud and other variable terrain.
For serious recreational off roading, overlanding, hunting, camping, forestry roads or vehicles regularly travelling to remote locations, the KO3 provides substantially more off road capability than a conventional highway terrain tire.
KO3 Mud Performance
BFGoodrich redesigned the serrated shoulder area of the KO3 and incorporated mud phobic bars.
These features help the tire work through loose material and evacuate mud from the tread area rather than allowing the tread voids to remain packed.
The KO3 therefore provides meaningful mud capability while remaining an all terrain tire suitable for everyday road use.
Drivers spending the majority of their time in deep mud may still be better served by a dedicated mud terrain tire. For mixed highway and off road driving, however, the KO3 offers a much more practical compromise.
KO3 Snow Performance
Yes. The BFGoodrich KO3 is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rated.
The Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, commonly abbreviated as 3PMSF, identifies tires that meet a standardized performance requirement for acceleration traction in snow.
The KO3's new tread compound, full depth 3D sipes, serrated shoulders and tread design all contribute to its winter capability.
This makes the KO3 significantly more winter capable than a conventional all season truck tire.
For Canadian truck and SUV owners who want one rugged tire capable of being used throughout the year, the KO3's severe snow rating is an important advantage.
Is the KO3 a Winter Tire?
Not exactly.
The KO3 is classified by BFGoodrich Canada as an All Weather tire and carries the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, but it is still fundamentally an all terrain tire.
A dedicated winter tire is specifically optimized around cold weather, snow and ice performance.
The KO3 instead balances winter capability with dry pavement, warm weather, gravel and off road performance.
For drivers who need maximum winter performance, particularly on ice, a dedicated winter tire may still be the better choice.
For drivers who want an aggressive all terrain tire they can use throughout the year while retaining certified severe snow capability, the KO3 is an excellent option to consider.
KO3 Wet Road Performance
An all terrain tire still needs to perform when the trail ends and the pavement begins.
The KO3's tread design incorporates substantial channels and biting edges designed to maintain traction across changing conditions.
The updated tread design also represents part of BFGoodrich's effort to improve the KO3's performance beyond the KO2.
As with any tire, wet performance depends on tread depth, tire pressure, vehicle setup, road conditions and driving speed.
KO3 Highway Performance
Despite its aggressive appearance, the KO3 is designed for significant on road use.
Interlocking tread elements stabilize the centre portion of the tread, helping provide predictable handling on pavement while still creating useful biting edges off road.
That makes the KO3 suitable for trucks and SUVs that spend most of their kilometres on pavement but still require genuine all terrain capability.
As with most aggressive all terrain tires, drivers should expect some tradeoffs compared with a highway terrain tire. A highway focused tire can generally prioritize quietness, rolling efficiency and road comfort to a greater degree because it does not need to provide the KO3's level of off road capability.
Is the BFGoodrich KO3 Noisy?
For an aggressive all terrain tire, BFGoodrich specifically designed the KO3 with on road behaviour in mind.
Its interlocking tread elements help stabilize the tread for road handling, and the tire is intended to function as an everyday tire rather than a dedicated off road tire.
However, tire noise is subjective and can vary considerably depending on vehicle type, tire size, inflation pressure, road surface, alignment and tread wear.
Drivers moving from a highway terrain tire should generally expect an aggressive all terrain tire to be more noticeable. Drivers coming from a mud terrain tire may find an all terrain design considerably more civilized.
Is the KO3 Good for Daily Driving?
Yes.
The KO3 is specifically designed to combine on road usability with off road capability.
It makes the most sense for a driver who wants one tire to perform several jobs.
If your truck spends 100% of its life commuting on pavement and never encounters gravel, trails or significant snow, a less aggressive highway focused tire may provide a quieter and potentially more efficient solution.
If your truck needs to handle everyday commuting while also being ready for gravel, snow, job sites, camping, hunting or off road use, the KO3 becomes much more compelling.
BFGoodrich KO3 Warranty
BFGoodrich Canada currently lists the All Terrain T/A KO3 with an 80,000 kilometre limited treadwear warranty.
BFGoodrich also offers a 60 day satisfaction guarantee on the KO3.
In addition, BFGoodrich tires are covered by the manufacturer's standard limited warranty against defects in workmanship and materials for the life of the original usable tread or six years from the date of purchase, whichever occurs first.
Warranty eligibility, exclusions, maintenance requirements and coverage can vary, so the complete current BFGoodrich Canada warranty terms should always be consulted when making a warranty claim.
Who Should Buy the BFGoodrich KO3?
The KO3 is particularly well suited to:
• Pickup truck owners
• SUV owners
• Off road enthusiasts
• Overlanding vehicles
• Drivers frequently travelling gravel roads
• Contractors and work trucks
• Drivers travelling forestry and logging roads
• Camping and hunting vehicles
• Drivers who want aggressive styling with real off road capability
• Canadian drivers wanting an all terrain tire with 3PMSF severe snow certification
• Drivers who liked the KO2 but want the newer generation
Who Might Want a Different Tire?
The KO3 isn't automatically the best tire for every truck.
A highway terrain tire may make more sense if quietness, fuel economy and pavement comfort are your overwhelming priorities.
A dedicated winter tire may be preferable if maximum ice and winter performance is your primary concern.
A mud terrain tire may be more appropriate if your vehicle spends substantial time in deep mud or extreme off road terrain.
Choosing the right tire isn't about finding the tire with the most aggressive tread. It is about matching the tire to how the vehicle is actually used.
BFGoodrich KO3 vs KO2
The KO2 established an enormous reputation as an all terrain tire, but the KO3 is its newer generation.
BFGoodrich specifically focused on improving durability, tread wear and traction when developing the KO3.
According to BFGoodrich's Canadian information, the KO3 provides:
20% better gravel road durability than the KO2
15% better wear performance than the KO2
It also introduces an updated tread pattern, new all terrain compound, revised shoulder design and other technologies intended to improve the tire's performance across varying conditions.
For someone choosing between a new set of KO2s and KO3s, the KO3 represents BFGoodrich's latest development of the platform.
Our Take on the BFGoodrich KO3
The BFGoodrich KO3 makes the most sense for someone who actually wants the versatility associated with the term "all terrain."
It provides aggressive off road capability, substantial sidewall protection, gravel durability and severe snow certification while remaining designed for normal highway use.
That versatility is the KO3's biggest strength.
There are quieter highway focused tires. There are more specialized winter tires. There are more aggressive mud tires.
But those aren't what the KO3 is trying to be.
The KO3 is designed to provide a strong balance across all of those environments for truck and SUV owners who don't know exactly what the road ahead is going to look like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BFGoodrich KO3 an all weather tire?
Yes. BFGoodrich Canada classifies the All Terrain T/A KO3 as an All Weather tire.
Does the BFGoodrich KO3 have the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol?
Yes. The KO3 is 3PMSF severe snow rated.
Is the KO3 good in snow?
The KO3 is specifically designed for snow capability and meets the requirements necessary to carry the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol. Its full depth 3D sipes and updated shoulder design contribute to snow traction.
Can you use BFGoodrich KO3 tires year round?
Yes. The KO3 is designed as an All Weather all terrain tire and can be used throughout the year. Whether that is the ideal choice depends on your vehicle, driving conditions and winter performance requirements.
Is the BFGoodrich KO3 good on gravel?
Gravel durability was one of BFGoodrich's major development targets. BFGoodrich states that the KO3 offers 20% better gravel road durability than the KO2.
Is the KO3 better than the KO2?
The KO3 is the newer generation and incorporates several improvements. BFGoodrich states that it provides 20% better gravel durability and 15% better wear performance compared with the KO2.
Does the BFGoodrich KO3 have a mileage warranty?
Yes. BFGoodrich Canada currently lists an 80,000 km limited treadwear warranty for the KO3.
Is the KO3 good for highway driving?
Yes. Although the KO3 has substantial off road capability, it is designed to provide stable on road handling and is suitable for everyday highway use.
Is the KO3 a mud tire?
No. The KO3 is an all terrain tire. Its serrated shoulders and mud phobic bars provide mud capability, but drivers primarily encountering extreme mud may be better served by a dedicated mud terrain tire.
What vehicles can use BFGoodrich KO3 tires?
The KO3 is designed primarily for pickup trucks, SUVs and compatible CUVs. Correct fitment depends on the vehicle, tire size, load requirement, wheel specification and intended use.
About BFGoodrich
BFGoodrich is a tire brand owned by Michelin, one of the world's largest tire manufacturers. Michelin acquired BFGoodrich's tire operations in 1989, and BFGoodrich tires are part of the Michelin Group today.
Need Help Choosing the Right Tire?
Choosing between an all terrain, all weather, highway terrain, mud terrain or dedicated winter tire can be confusing.
At Premier Tires & Wheels, our goal is to help you choose a tire based on how you actually drive.
Contact us with your year, make, model and tire size, along with the type of driving you do, and our team can help determine whether the BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO3 is the right choice for your vehicle.
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