Falken WILDPEAK M/T on Pathfinder - better tyre choices?

[DeLorean75]

Hi

I've bought a NIssan Pathfinder recently which has had replacement wheels and tyres, specifically Falken Wildpeak M/T LT285/70R17 118/121Q

It looks great, which is why the 7 year old that took over my brain liked the look of it.

MPG is, of course, ruinous.

Without changing the wheels does anyone have a concrete suggestion for an alternative tyre that would be less ruinous? (Currently 22 MPG). For reference 30+ is quoted for this vehicle stock

I see a few of the smart camper vans have gone with the General Grabber SUV tyre which *looks* a less aggressive tread more biased to tarmac use.

I'm guessing the trucks been jacked up a tiny bit to accommodate the sidewalls of what is fitted

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

[Smint]

I'd be a bit concerned at Q rated tyres on that, would have expected H a more likely speed rating requirement.

No experience of Pathfinder, we test drove one when considering a new one, the demo went into limp mode on the test drive, we bought a Hilux.

Have run Toyota 4x4's for many years, still do, all apart from one petrol engined Prado (18mpg) had the 3 litre 4 cyl lump with various power levels, general running about driven reasonably see about 25mpg, the only one that's bettered 30 was the Hilux on a run, give them some clog and you'll be down to 22 or less, i'd expect similar from your Pathfinder, a similar 2 ton brick.
The figures you hear from some people with the sort of traditional 4x4's that you have are complete fiction.

I'm running Yokohama G015 AT's, if they have them in your size they are as cheap as anywhere at Camskill, a better value tyre than almost all the competition, snowflake stamped all season and superb wet grip, note they only come with about 9mm of new tread though and are soft sided so if not ideal for rock climbing.
Yes MT's will add a lot of drag, most of it you can hear coming up the road in tyre roar.

Remember in your fuel calcs, the tyres on yours are larger rolling radius so you're covering more ground per gallon than you would be on the OE size, might be a 10% difference there which maybe means you're presently getting nearer 24mpg in truth.

Edited by Smint on Monday 9th October 15:22

[DeLorean75]

said:

Thanks Smint great intel

Those could be an option indeed - perform alright in winter?

Nothwithstanding your comments you reckon could claw back a few mpg with less [dragy] tyre option like the Yokohama?

[MustangGT]

Smint said:

Remember in your fuel calcs, the tyres on yours are larger rolling radius so you're covering more ground per gallon than you would be on the OE size, might be a 10% difference there which maybe means you're presently getting nearer 24mpg in truth.

Also note that the speedo and milometer will also be out by the same amount.

What size should be fitted?

Choice of tyre should be based on your intended use. If not really off-road then any 4-season SUV tyre would be my choice. If doing some minor off-road then probably an All-Terrain in the correct size would be the most suitable. Serious off-roading requires Mud-Terrain.

Edited to add, the noise level will be reduced with All-Terrain and 4-season tyres as well as improved fuel consumption.

[DeLorean75]

MustangGT said:

Smint said:

Remember in your fuel calcs, the tyres on yours are larger rolling radius so you're covering more ground per gallon than you would be on the OE size, might be a 10% difference there which maybe means you're presently getting nearer 24mpg in truth.

Also note that the speedo and milometer will also be out by the same amount.

What size should be fitted?

Choice of tyre should be based on your intended use. If not really off-road then any 4-season SUV tyre would be my choice. If doing some minor off-road then probably an All-Terrain in the correct size would be the most suitable. Serious off-roading requires Mud-Terrain.

Edited to add, the noise level will be reduced with All-Terrain and 4-season tyres as well as improved fuel consumption.

..............

Thanks. Off roading is an occasional novelty - very minor, and all 2.5 hrs each way for a wekend blast. All I really need is to navigate some rough tracks and sand dune paths with confidence.

[geeks]

I have Yoko Geolander G015s on my Frontera, had them and the predecessor G012s on my previous ones too. Never let me down from wet pay and play through to some casual laning. Road manners are very good for an all terrain as well (no droning etc)

[DeLorean75]

geeks said:

I have Yoko Geolander G015s on my Frontera, had them and the predecessor G012s on my previous ones too. Never let me down from wet pay and play through to some casual laning. Road manners are very good for an all terrain as well (no droning etc)

Thanks

[MustangGT]

Looks like All-Terrain if sticking with one set. Please share tyre size you are looking for, I would suggest for your use it would be sensible to go back to standard sizes.

For specialist tyres look at:

https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/

https://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/tyres/

https://www.4x4at.com/wheels-tyres/tyre-brands

Good luck. Remember to look at the tyre ratings because fuel, wet grip and noise are all variable. I would go for a speed and weight rating as per the manufacturer requirements for your car.

[DeLorean75]

MustangGT said:

Looks like All-Terrain if sticking with one set. Please share tyre size you are looking for, I would suggest for your use it would be sensible to go back to standard sizes.

For specialist tyres look at:

https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/

https://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/tyres/

https://www.4x4at.com/wheels-tyres/tyre-brands

Good luck. Remember to look at the tyre ratings because fuel, wet grip and noise are all variable. I would go for a speed and weight rating as per the manufacturer requirements for your car.

Thanks Mustang. Great stuff
Since the wheels have been changed I'm a bit ingorant if the [width] of the wheel rim is different / I'm restricted in options. I also don't know how much it's been jacked up and if some other tyre options would now look a bit silly. Some research to do. Cheers

[geeks]

DeLorean75 said:

MustangGT said:

Looks like All-Terrain if sticking with one set. Please share tyre size you are looking for, I would suggest for your use it would be sensible to go back to standard sizes.

For specialist tyres look at:

https://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/

https://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/tyres/

https://www.4x4at.com/wheels-tyres/tyre-brands

Good luck. Remember to look at the tyre ratings because fuel, wet grip and noise are all variable. I would go for a speed and weight rating as per the manufacturer requirements for your car.

Thanks Mustang. Great stuff
Since the wheels have been changed I'm a bit ingorant if the [width] of the wheel rim is different / I'm restricted in options. I also don't know how much it's been jacked up and if some other tyre options would now look a bit silly. Some research to do. Cheers

A quick google suggests you aren't actually too far away from the standard size, looking at the wheels its probably the offset you want to be more concerned with. Are there any specialist Pathfinder forums or Farcebook groups? They can probably give you a steer on what is what.

[DeLorean75]

On it - awaiting blessing for a FB group. Don't believe there is one on here