Cybertruck owners are debating tires right now — and the data is surprisingly grim

Tesla’s Cybertruck has something most EVs don’t: an almost cult-like owner community obsessed with real-world performance. From reviews of its stainless-steel exoskeleton to debates about full self-driving behavior, a surprisingly charged discussion isn’t about software right now; It’s about tires.

Owners are swapping out stock Goodyear All-Terrain tires for BFGoodrich KO3 all-terrain upgrades and tracking not only grip and quietness, but energy efficiency, measured in watt-hours per mile (Wh/mi), the key metric for the EV range.

It started with a forum member’s post Shiger who documented his experience after 31,000 miles on stock Goodyear AT tires and then installed a full set of BFGoodrich KO3s. the reason? A mix of seasonal weather and highway driving and occasional off-road use.

Like many EV owners, Shaiger didn’t just swap tires; He treated it as an experiment.

Efficiency up or down after swap?

On the drive out to the tire shop and back, using Tesla’s fully self-driving “Hurry” mode both ways, Shaiger tracked his energy use:

• With Goodyear AT tires Before the swap, energy use sat at just 400 Wh/mi.

• With BFGoodrich KO3s Fitted on the return trip, that figure hovered in the low 430 Wh/mi range — a measurable bump in energy consumption.

That’s not a huge drop, but it’s a quantitative difference, and one that many EV enthusiasts notice. Use of EVs Watt-hours per mile Like using a gas car miles per gallonSo an increase in Wh/mi usually means less range per charge.

Why did the efficiency decrease? The BFGoodrich KO3s are heavier and have a more aggressive tread designed for traction on a variety of terrain, which increases rolling resistance, meaning the motors have to work a little harder, especially at highway speeds.

Commenters online who have driven KO3s also report a range hit – sometimes noticeable – although the noise isn’t always a downside. Many owners say the KO3s aren’t as loud as their aggressive looks suggest.

Subjective response

Metrics are one thing, but how does it feel? In a forum thread, Shaiger and several commenters commented:

• Slight increase in noise at highway speeds, though not worse than the Goodyears.

• A brief moment of steering wheel vibration at one point, but nothing serious.

• Some chatter about the foam inserts from the original tires during removal, which can contribute to vibration on some rides.

Other owners have reported smoother highway feel on the KO3s they’ve driven, especially when balanced with ceramic beads instead of traditional wheel weights, suggesting the setup can make a real difference.

But what about tire wear?

This is not just an owner’s curiosity. Many Cybertruck owners are sharing stories about how quickly they wear tires on these big, heavy EV trucks. Separate reports show some stock CyberTruck tires wear quickly — as little as 15,000-22,000 miles from a set — far less than the 50,000-plus mile rating advertised for many all-terrain tires. Others require tire replacement after 14,000 miles, even without regular driving and off-road use.

These anecdotes indicate that tire longevity on Cybertrucks may be shorter than expected, possibly influenced by truck weight, torque, and tire alignment patterns, although the data is still mostly anecdotal.

what now

For potential customers and current owners, the takeaway from this forum thread feels surprisingly practical: tire choice is no longer a cosmetic or off-road performance detail; This affects real-world efficiency, ride feel, and long-term wear.

Aggressive all-terrain tires like the BFGoodrich KO3 offer capability and durability, but at a modest energy cost. Stock tires can provide good on-road efficiency but sometimes a short tread life. Community testing, not just manufacturer claims, is filling in gaps that Tesla hasn’t published.

In an age where everything is in Wh/mi, that kind of DIY data from forums and owner reports can be just as valuable as any official spec sheet.