Thinking of a looooong road trip as an intro:

[SpaceEVDriver]

That’s very helpful info too.

Which brings up another question. Tire wear. If I go with 35s they aren’t going to be cheap to replace. Now I know there’s less maintenance with an EV, but how often are you replacing tires on your EVs.

Told you, lots of questions!

I replaced my Mustang's tires for the first time a month or so ago at 47,000 miles. We live on a gravel road, which generally wears tires faster, but these did quite well. The reason we had to replace them at 47k is because at 31k I'd punctured one, plugged it, and the plug had started leaking at 47k. I could have had closer to the full 55k warranty mileage out of them if I had either not punctured the tire or had brought it in for a real patch instead of plugging it. But I knew this at the time and took the chance. I've only had a small handful of plugs leak on me over the years.

The myth about EVs wearing tires out faster is only sort of accurate. Tires wear out due to driving behavior, tire composition, vehicle weight, inflation issues, suspension issues, exposure to the sun, and general vehicle maintenance issues. Yes, an EV is sometimes heavier than other vehicles in its class, but you don't hear people talking about the Yukon or Suburban wearing tires out faster, and those are massive beasts. It's a FUD tactic to make people worry about EVs. EVs also generally accelerate much faster than ICEs, which means people who like to do that kind of driving are going to wear out their tires faster. I'd stand firm on my argument that that's on the driver, not the EV. My 78-yr-old aunt isn't leaving patches on the pavement with her Chevy Bolt EUV. The tires are fine.

Note: there's a thread specifically for asking questions:

Thread 'We own EVs. Ask Us Anything.'

Nov 27, 2024

I'm not going to volunteer anyone else for this, but I also didn't want to exclude anyone by writing it in the singular. If you own an EV, you're welcome to answer questions in this thread or in your own.

If you have a question, please feel free to ask. I reserve the right to ignore your question if it's rude or obviously not being asked in good faith. I also reserve the right to forget to answer your question.

I've owned hybrids and EVs for more than 20 years.
I currently own two EVs:

• Ford F-150 Lightning all-electric pickup truck
• Ford Mustang Mach-E all-electric.

I do a...

• SpaceEVDriver
• Replies: 133
• Forum: GENERAL DISCUSSION

• 
• 

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Okay this is gonna sound nuts but you know how when you buy a new appliance they have a quick start guide. For us newbies we need a Scout quick start guide with FAQs. A BEV or EREV for dummies so to speak.

And by the way I really appreciate all the info. I ask an insane amount of questions when going into something new like this. I want to make sure I really understand what I’m getting into so I can head off any pain points.

I don't think a primer is nuts. I think the issue is that there probably need to be several for different kinds of uses, different locations and climates, and different kinds of drivers. The forums seem to be the best way to transfer that information. I participate in a Lightning forum and a Mustang Mach-E forum specifically so I can keep an eye on things I need/want to learn about the vehicles I own.

 

[cyure]

I replaced my Mustang's tires for the first time a month or so ago at 47,000 miles. We live on a gravel road, which generally wears tires faster, but these did quite well. The reason we had to replace them at 47k is because at 31k I'd punctured one, plugged it, and the plug had started leaking at 47k. I could have had closer to the full 55k warranty mileage out of them if I had either not punctured the tire or had brought it in for a real patch instead of plugging it. But I knew this at the time and took the chance. I've only had a small handful of plugs leak on me over the years.

The myth about EVs wearing tires out faster is only sort of accurate. Tires wear out due to driving behavior, tire composition, vehicle weight, inflation issues, suspension issues, exposure to the sun, and general vehicle maintenance issues. Yes, an EV is sometimes heavier than other vehicles in its class, but you don't hear people talking about the Yukon or Suburban wearing tires out faster, and those are massive beasts. It's a FUD tactic to make people worry about EVs. EVs also generally accelerate much faster than ICEs, which means people who like to do that kind of driving are going to wear out their tires faster. I'd stand firm on my argument that that's on the driver, not the EV. My 78-yr-old aunt isn't leaving patches on the pavement with her Chevy Bolt EUV. The tires are fine.

Note: there's a thread specifically for asking questions:

Thread 'We own EVs. Ask Us Anything.'

Nov 27, 2024

I'm not going to volunteer anyone else for this, but I also didn't want to exclude anyone by writing it in the singular. If you own an EV, you're welcome to answer questions in this thread or in your own.

If you have a question, please feel free to ask. I reserve the right to ignore your question if it's rude or obviously not being asked in good faith. I also reserve the right to forget to answer your question.

I've owned hybrids and EVs for more than 20 years.
I currently own two EVs:

• Ford F-150 Lightning all-electric pickup truck
• Ford Mustang Mach-E all-electric.

I do a...

• SpaceEVDriver
• Replies: 133
• Forum: GENERAL DISCUSSION

• 
• 

Thank you and I’ll start posing my questions over there. Believe me, this won’t be near the last question you get from me.

 

[J Alynn]

Actually that’s the most helpful info of all I think.

Our other car is a Toyota Supra and then my kids both have Hyundais that are ICE so we do have options. I have 3 years to make up my mind and I’m sure I will change it many times between now and then. I appreciate the assistance. I’m sure I will have many more questions!

Technically you have two years and maybe a couple months . Time flies when you’re having fun

 

[Mousehunter]

I think the tire ware issue is 2 fold. Weight might be part of it, but part is OEM tires that are specifically selected to help with efficiency numbers. Light weight tires might not last as long. I know even on some of my vehicles (not EV's), high performance tires tend to last a lot less than more normal ones. Have heard some horror stories of super high performance tires barely lasting 10k miles.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I think the tire ware issue is 2 fold. Weight might be part of it, but part is OEM tires that are specifically selected to help with efficiency numbers. Light weight tires might not last as long. I know even on some of my vehicles (not EV's), high performance tires tend to last a lot less than more normal ones. Have heard some horror stories of super high performance tires barely lasting 10k miles.

Yeah, like I said, composition plays a big role in how long tires last.
Summer tires are an example: they'll fail in a few thousand miles if people are using them when it's too cold, or on the wrong surfaces.
Winter tires will fail in a few thousand miles if people are using them when it's too hot or on the wrong surfaces.

Mostly the low rolling resistance tires that typically come with an EV are going to come with 40-60k mile warranties.

 

[R1TVT]

At the end of the day, and if its your first EV, you are probably gunna drive a little more Koo koo than you drove your ice car - especially off the line. The sooner you get over the Koo koo phase, the longer your tires will last. If you live on chunky roads, they might not last long. If you swap in winter dedicated tires, your original tires will last longer (in colder climates), if you like to corner hard in a big heavy truck, your tires won't last as long. I think how you drive is the biggest variable but everyone's mileage is going to vary a LOT.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I’ve always felt that anything over 40,000 miles on a set of tires is a bonus. I know my 2004 HD Ram and my 2012 Power Wagon chewed through tires at around 32,000 miles. I replaced the factory tires on my TRX at 36,000 miles (I could have made 40,000 but it was close to winter and the stock set were not going to be great for winter conditions). Hell, my wife had a 2009 Honda Pilot and the stock Good Year tires made it 18,000 miles (those were terrible tires). So yeah, 40,000 miles on the Scout tires would be awesome.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

At the end of the day, and if its your first EV, you are probably gunna drive a little more Koo koo than you drove your ice car - especially off the line. The sooner you get over the Koo koo phase, the longer your tires will last. If you live on chunky roads, they might not last long. If you swap in winter dedicated tires, your original tires will last longer (in colder climates), if you like to corner hard in a big heavy truck, your tires won't last as long. I think how you drive is the biggest variable but everyone's mileage is going to vary a LOT.

The tires on the Scout Demo’s are a 35” BFG KO3. I’m not sure what load rating, but I’d guess D? They should be a great year round tire. I’d guess you’d be close to 40,000 miles on a set of those?

 

[R1TVT]

Personally, I would never run KO3's in winter here, and if your tires are going to wear-out eventually anyway, and you plan to keep the truck and own it (not lease it), I would want to have a dedicated snow to swap in and out. but I also drive in a lot of snow storms when most people don;t want to drive. I will just run the KO3's in the summer. I have run KO's in the winter on a Tundra I owned and the performance wasn't even close, so maybe I am biased. I have run Nokian Hakka LT3's for the last 2 winters on the R1T with a load rating of E - I would say this is a little overkill on my truck. The Nokian LT5 with a XL load rating may be a good winter tire for the Scout too.

*** I should add the my R1T came with Pirelli Scorpion AT+ EV Truck Tires (just bought a new set actually) that also have a 3peak severe snow rating like the KO3, but they performed very similarly to the KO3's in winter too. The softer compound and siping combined with a winter tread just make the Nokian's way more sticky and predictable.

 

[cyure]

Personally, I would never run KO3's in winter here, and if your tires are going to wear-out eventually anyway, and you plan to keep the truck and own it (not lease it), I would want to have a dedicated snow to swap in and out. but I also drive in a lot of snow storms when most people don;t want to drive. I will just run the KO3's in the summer. I have run KO's in the winter on a Tundra I owned and the performance wasn't even close, so maybe I am biased. I have run Nokian Hakka LT3's for the last 2 winters on the R1T with a load rating of E - I would say this is a little overkill on my truck. The Nokian LT5 with a XL load rating may be a good winter tire for the Scout too.

*** I should add the my R1T came with Pirelli Scorpion AT+ EV Truck Tires (just bought a new set actually) that also have a 3peak severe snow rating like the KO3, but they performed very similarly to the KO3's in winter too. The softer compound and siping combined with a winter tread just make the Nokian's way more sticky and predictable.

I’m terrible. I know I should be more concerned with tire performance but for me it’s looks. The Scout needs an off road tire. Even tho I never go off road!

 

[N Wilson]

I think the tire ware issue is 2 fold. Weight might be part of it, but part is OEM tires that are specifically selected to help with efficiency numbers. Light weight tires might not last as long. I know even on some of my vehicles (not EV's), high performance tires tend to last a lot less than more normal ones. Have heard some horror stories of super high performance tires barely lasting 10k miles.

I bought a Cadillac CTS-V new in 2004 when they first came out. It had a Corvette ZO6 engine and a 6 speed manual and a lateral G meter in the gauge cluster.

I may have tested the lateral G meter a few hundred times in empty parking lots.

The factory performance tires didn't last 10,000 miles and it wasn't an EV, so yeah, tire compounds, driving behavior, etc do influence how long your tires last regardless of EV or ICE vehicle.

 

[N Wilson]

Personally, I would never run KO3's in winter here, and if your tires are going to wear-out eventually anyway, and you plan to keep the truck and own it (not lease it), I would want to have a dedicated snow to swap in and out. but I also drive in a lot of snow storms when most people don;t want to drive. I will just run the KO3's in the summer. I have run KO's in the winter on a Tundra I owned and the performance wasn't even close, so maybe I am biased. I have run Nokian Hakka LT3's for the last 2 winters on the R1T with a load rating of E - I would say this is a little overkill on my truck. The Nokian LT5 with a XL load rating may be a good winter tire for the Scout too.

*** I should add the my R1T came with Pirelli Scorpion AT+ EV Truck Tires (just bought a new set actually) that also have a 3peak severe snow rating like the KO3, but they performed very similarly to the KO3's in winter too. The softer compound and siping combined with a winter tread just make the Nokian's way more sticky and predictable.

This is what I do too with my Tundra. I have a set of Yokohama dedicated snow tires on the factory wheels that i swap on for the winter, and a set of Continental AT tires on aftermarket SCS wheels that I put on for spring, summer, and fall use. Keeps the nice wheels in good shape too, not being exposed to salt and sand in winter.

 

[Chavannigans]

That would be neat! I’ve driven on 90 from MA to Ohio and back (with my ex as the driver, not me), but it would be neat to do that solo or even with a buddy. Only thing that would stink is paying the tolls. In MA, it’s a toll road. I’m not sure about elsewhere in the country. There are a lot of good stops on 90, too. I’d want to stop in Chicago to eat my most favorite of all of the nation’s regional hot dogs.

Just a heads up for any Veterans planning road trips.

Many states will wave toll fees for disabled veterans. Youll need to check your local laws but I just learned this recently myself.

 

[Chavannigans]

I’ve always felt that anything over 40,000 miles on a set of tires is a bonus. I know my 2004 HD Ram and my 2012 Power Wagon chewed through tires at around 32,000 miles. I replaced the factory tires on my TRX at 36,000 miles (I could have made 40,000 but it was close to winter and the stock set were not going to be great for winter conditions). Hell, my wife had a 2009 Honda Pilot and the stock Good Year tires made it 18,000 miles (those were terrible tires). So yeah, 40,000 miles on the Scout tires would be awesome.

It really just comes down to the compounds.

Softer compounds handle better in wet and slippery conditions but wear faster.

Harder compounds last much longer but are prone to skids in wet conditions.


A tire can last a very long time but be dangerous in all but perfect conditions.

Its frustrating because some manufacturers change compounds from batch to batch.

So you may have gotten 40k miles out of a set of Goodyear MTR Kevlars, and the next set barely lasts 28k a few years later.

 

[cyure]

It really just comes down to the compounds.

Softer compounds handle better in wet and slippery conditions but wear faster.

Harder compounds last much longer but are prone to skids in wet conditions.


A tire can last a very long time but be dangerous in all but perfect conditions.

Its frustrating because some manufacturers change compounds from batch to batch.

So you may have gotten 40k miles out of a set of Goodyear MTR Kevlars, and the next set barely lasts 28k a few years later.

I’m just really trying to get my current set of DuraTracs to last on my Wrangler until my Scout gets here. I really don’t want to have to buy new tires.

 

[Chavannigans]

I’m just really trying to get my current set of DuraTracs to last on my Wrangler until my Scout gets here. I really don’t want to have to buy new tires.

The only things under your control for that are keeping pressures higher and rotating every oil change.

 

[cyure]

The only things under your control for that are keeping pressures higher and rotating every oil change.

That’s what I am doing.

All this talk of tires takes me back to the early 90s when we had a Ford Escort GT and it needed new tires. The guy at the tire place asked me if I was sitting down. Why I asked? He said because it was an odd size that only Goodyear made and it was going to be $1500 for tires on the thing. We went a different size and the Speedo was just off. That was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. $1500 for tires on an Escort in 1993. Pffftt.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

The only things under your control for that are keeping pressures higher and rotating every oil change.

Well, and not driving like a 17-yr-old.

 

[cyure]

Well, and not driving like a 17-yr-old.

Oh but driving that way is so fun!!