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My 1999 4Runner
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Cooper Discoverer A/T3 265/75/R16 SL Load
After running Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo with UNI-T AQII P265/75/R16 (32") Standard Load for numerous years I decided to try a different A/T tire.
This time it would be the Cooper Discoverer A/T3 P265/75/R16 SL Load
These tires are one of the best overall values, both economic and performance wise, on the market right now in terms of an All Terrain type tire.
I had them mounted with the blackwalls out and the outline white letters facing in. I also had them balanced with the weights on the inside of the rim for a cleaner look.
I went with the P Metric version with a SL load rating. These are available as an LT (Light Truck) tire as well in both a "C" or "E" load rating. I would recommend these in LT if you do more off-road specific driving.
 Cooper Discoverer A/T3 |
 Cooper Discoverer A/T3 |
 Cooper Discoverer A/T3 |
 Cooper Discoverer A/T3 |
DESCRIPTION:
Whether it is on-road or off-road, the new Discoverer A/T3 sticks to the road. Improving upon a legend isn’t easy.Our Discoverer series has proven itself to be more than capable of taking on all types of terrain over the last 30 years. However, with new technology and new design perfectly balanced with high-tech compounding, the Discoverer A/T3 will help your SUV or light truck conquer the road like never before. Its new tread compound enhances wet traction and rolling resistance, while the aggressive tread design significantly improves off-road traction without sacrificing highway performance. So if your everyday road happens to be dirt, mud, rocks or pavement, the new Discoverer A/T3 has what it takes to get you where you need to go.
FEATURES:
All Terrain Design:
An aggressive tread design maximizes performance in a variety of conditions whether on or off road.
Technology & Traction:
Employs a silica based tread compound that enhances cut and chip resistance and wet traction.
Silica Based Tread Compound:
The tread compound is formulated with a chemically coupled silica and carbon black mixture that provides excellent wet traction and handling on the highway, while also improving cut and chip resistance in more harsh rocky and gravel terrain. The silica enriched tread compound has lower rolling resistance than traditional full carbon black tread compounds.
Structured Sipe Density:
The number of sipes is distinctively structured in the tread elements to provide a quieter running tire and even tread wear.
Handling:
The profile shape improves stability and handling of the tire, while using micro siping to resist stone holding damage.
Ventless Technology:
The molds used to manufacture the A/T3 incorporate a venting technology that eliminates micro-vents in the tread area. This ventless technology provides a crisp, clean, premium appearance.
Modern Aggressive 5-Rib All-Terrain Design:
The aggressive all-terrain design is engineered to provide outstanding performance in both on-road and off-road driving applications. The A/T3 tread pattern exploits a combination of features specifically suited to provide solid all-terrain performance, superior all-season traction, excellent stability, confident handling and reliable tread wear.
Variable Density Nylon Technology:
Nylon is strategically positioned and applied in a manner to resist flat spotting for improved ride quality and a balanced, even tread wear for longer tread life.
55,000 Mile Tread Wear Protection
Tire |
Size |
Service Description |
Load Rating |
UTQG |
Max Load |
Max. Inflation Press. |
Tread Depth |
Tire Weight |
Rim Width Range |
Meas. Rim Width |
Sect. Width |
Tread Width |
Overall Diam. |
Revs Per Mile |
Cooper Discoverer A/T3 |
265/75/R16 |
116T |
SL |
560 A B |
2756 lbs.
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44 psi |
14/32" |
40 lbs. |
7-9" |
7.5" |
10.5" |
7.8" |
31.6" |
650 |
Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo |
265/75/SR16 |
114S |
SL |
500 A B |
2601 lbs.
|
44 psi |
13/32" |
45 lbs. |
7-9" |
7.5" |
10.6" |
7.8" |
31.9" |
653 |
Dunlop TG35 |
P265/70/R16 |
111S |
SL |
300 B B |
2403 lbs.
|
51 psi |
11/32" |
36 lbs. |
7-8.5" |
8" |
10.6" |
7.7" |
30.6" |
752 |
Cooper Discoverer A/T3 265/75/R16 (32's) |
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Initial Reaction:
I purchased these tires when my vehicle was 14 years old. At this point I am prioritizing my mod money on my 2007 4Runner, which coincidentally, is getting new tires at the same time (Duratrac's which are big $$$).
I am a) not so sure how much longer the 1999 4Runner will stay in the J.A. family and b) don't intend on putting over 4k to 5k miles a year on it.
With that said, I still will only put a high quality set of tires on the 1999 4Runner, though with an eye on value and cost/benefit as well.
That is how I decided upon the Cooper Discoverer A/T3, they are hands down the best value in an A/T tire on the market right now. Combined with an $80 rebate on the purchase of 4, the choice was a no brainer.
The price simply cannot be beat for a comparable tire. These tires are in the same league as the Bridgestone Revos.
I had the installer load these with 40# of pressure. As of this writing I don't have more than 20 miles on them but would like to give my inital reaction to them.
First of all the tread is nice and firm, which is great for on-road cornering...and with my heavy duty Addco Sway Bars, I do love cornering. The 3rd Gen 4Runners are quite "tossable" for an SUV I must say.
They are very quite tires too with no tread noise really.
Style wise, the blackwall side has much raised textured ribbing as a design element, even more than the Revos. I dont like that as it makes it very hard to apply tire dressing to keep that black look.
The outline white letter side appears to be smooth, but that is no help to those wanting the all black look.
There seems to be alot of tire mold release agent on these tires. First of all they squeeked and squealed a bit leaving the shop and you could tell there was an oily substance on the tread thru the first few turns.
This is not abnormal at all and will wear off soon, just a nuisance more than anything else. This stuff wont wash off the sidewalls either even using all purpose cleaner (APC).
It made it very hard for the tire dressing (Zaino Z16) to soak in and made it blotchy.
What is tire mold release agent...during the manufacturing process, a release lubricant is applied which prevents the tire from sticking to the mold in which it was created.
Unfortunately, some of that lubricant remains on the tire upon installation. It reduces traction for a bit, but wears off after use. Going easy on your tires and driving cautiously for the first 500 miles should eliminate
this lubricant and allow the other layers of the tire to work as they should.
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