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Pros
- Outstanding rock-crawling ability and mud traction
- Exceptional traction on dirt and gravel
- Tough casing that can withstand a lot of abuse
- Very good on-road traction for an off-road tire
- Surprisingly good traction in rainy conditions
- It doesn’t become too loud on the highway
Cons
- Not usable on packed snow
- No treadwear warranty
There is a quiet revolution happening in the automotive industry. According to SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Future Trends report, 50% of new vehicles sold in the US in 2020 were SUVs, CUVs, Jeeps, and minivans. The report also predicts this category will constitute 70% of all new vehicle sales by 2025. The tremendous growth of high-riding vehicles has resulted in a ripple effect in the SUV/crossover and truck tire market.
With more people owning these cars, off-roading and overlanding adventures have steadily grown in popularity. However, off-roading is not cheap — apart from the vehicle, you’ll need to invest in aftermarket upgrades (lifted suspension) and a set of off-road-capable tires.
In this post, I will go deep into the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 performance and see how it compares against its rivals, and see whether it deserves its place on your truck/SUV.
Let’s get into it.
What are the features of the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003?
The Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 is made from a high-density compound, a mixture of carbon black particles, silica, and synthetic rubbers. It also features an aggressive tread pattern with big individual blocks, a large void area, and deep grooves.
The tire’s carbon black particles bind together with the other compounds, while the silica improves wet braking without compromising performance in other areas.
Moreover, the unique triple compound prevents tread damage, enhances responsiveness, steering stability, and wear resistance.
| Type | All-season mud terrain |
| Cars | Pickup trucks, Jeeps, SUVs, and off-road vehicles |
| DWS | Dry, Wet, Snow and Off-road |
| Load Index | 121 |
| Speed Rating | Q |
| Tread Wear | NA |
| Traction | NA |
| Temperature | NA |
| Rim diameter. | 15”-22″ and 31”, 33”, 35”, and 37” |
| Sizes | 64 |
| Technology | Geo-shield technology |
| Tread Depth | 21/32” |
| Max. Inflation Pressure | 80 psi |
| Tire Diameter | 34.1 in |
| Side Wall | BW |
| Tread life Warranty | None |
Now, the off-road and mud-tire market is usually decorated with aggressive-looking tires, which is the common perception of how they should look. But the aggressive tread pattern is more about providing off-road traction, particularly over large rocks and in deep mud.
The problem is these designs have a negative effect on on-road performance and comfort. Fortunately, Yokohama addressed most of those issues with the GEOLANDAR M/T G003 — an all-season mud tire that promises outstanding off-road traction and civilized on-road behavior.
The Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 is available in 64 sizes for 15” to 22” diameter wheels. The tire is also available for 31”, 33”, 35”, and 37” in diameter for aftermarket off-road builds. All the sizes are LT-rated, so you can use them for hauling and towing.
Moreover, the GEOLANDAR M/T G003 is available in road ratings of C (6 Ply), D (8 Ply), E (10 Ply), and F (12 Ply), depending on the construction.
Here are all the features that give the GEOLANDAR M/T G003 off-road credibility:
Construction Features
- Made of a high-density compound
- Triple polymer blend compound
- GEO-SHIELD technology construction
- Full nylon cap
- Multiple plies on the sidewall
- Two steel belts
- Turn up carcass
- Optimized block-to-void ratio and sipes
- Mud and stone ejectors
- Aggressive sidewall armor
- Advanced variable pitch tread
- Wide flat profile
Unlike most mud-terrain tires, the G003 has a wide flat profile which aids in distributing stress more evenly across the entire tread area, improving the tread life. The manufacturer admits this might have affected comfort performance, but it has made up for that by employing a belt angle that adds to the comfort performance.
For the construction, Yokohama uses its GEO-SHIELD technology with multiple sidewall plies, a full two nylon caps, and a high turn-up carcass. The technology assures durability, sufficient traction, and protection against punctures and side impacts.
Furthermore, an aggressive sidewall armor improves durability by protecting from off-road damage on the sidewalls while also improving traction in crevasses, ruts, or deep mud.
Yokohama also developed the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 for longer tread life. It has an internal reinforced steel belt, increasing the tire’s stability while preventing tread flexing, load pressure deforming, and increasing load capacity.
Meanwhile, the tread pattern incorporates big tread blocks that extend down over the shoulder with an optimized block-to-void ratio. This gives the tire an outstanding off-road grip and traction in wet, dry, and muddy conditions.
The large blocks are responsible for dry braking, while the large voids handle wet braking and sand performance. Moreover, the voids evacuate snow and mud while the stone ejectors offer protection against stone drilling, keeping the grooves clear when the tire is rotating and improving the traction on different surfaces.
To further improve wet traction, the tire has sequential sipes to create suction when the tire is rotating on a wet surface, enhancing water evacuation. The siping construction, which goes full depth, also improves snow traction.
But Yokohama also optimized the pitch variation to reduce noise, which is crucial in a mud tire.
What are the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 maintenance indicators?
The Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 does not have exclusive wear indicators for monitoring the tread depth but uses the standard industry TWIs.
The tread wear indicators are narrow rubber bars found within the tread grooves, placed 2/32 inches from the bottom. Hence, when the tread reaches that level, the TWIs will be flush with the surface.
When a tire has a tread depth of below 2/32 inches, you should immediately replace it as it will lack grip in rainy conditions. However, since the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 is an off-road tire, you’ll definitely want to replace it sooner, as you’ll need at least 5/32 inches for usable off-road and snow traction.
Thus, I recommend getting a tread depth gauge, which can reliably show you how much tread is left on your tire.
What is the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 treadwear warranty?
Yokohama doesn’t offer a treadwear warranty on the GEOLANDAR M/T G003. But this is normal for the category because the usage scenarios for mud-terrain tires are so unpredictable.
As an alternative to a tread life warranty, Yokohama offers a 30-day money-back guarantee period, a Uniformity Warranty, and Standard Limited Warranty.
The uniformity warranty is available for the first 2/32 inches of wear, while the workmanship and materials warranty is available for five years/ free replacement for the first year or 2/32 inches of wear, then prorated to 2/32 inches of the remaining depth.
Compared to other tires in the same category, the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003’s warranty is a bit basic. For example, the Firestone Destination M/T2 has a 90-day buy-and-try guarantee with incentives like free tire mounting, lifetime tire rotation, and alignment checks.
To be eligible for the warranty, you must meet the following requirements:
- The tire should bear the Yokohama brand name and complete D.O.T serial identification number
- The tire should only have been operated on the highway (commercial applications are excluded)
- The original usable tread depth has to be down to the level of tread wear indicator bars molded at 2/32 inches
- 60 months from the date of purchase (proof of purchase required). If there is no proof of purchase available, then 72 months from the date of purchase.
- It only applies to the original tire purchaser and is not transferrable to any other party
- Must be in the United States
How does the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 behave on a dry tarmac?
Mud-terrain tires can be tiring to drive on the street, but the GEOLANDAR M/T G003 exceeds expectations.
Sure, the overall performance still falls short of an all-terrain tire, but it’s good relative to the category. For instance, you won’t have any issues with straight-line tracking, like in many rivals, which is crucial if you cover many highway miles.
Moreover, the longitudinal traction is excellent for the category, translating to better braking and acceleration. The lateral grip is also very strong, considering the aggressive tread pattern with a large void area.
The steering is not very responsive and makes the whole driving experience more “truckish.” Still, you should expect these things when shopping for a mud tire.
Most importantly, thanks to the tough casing and high load ratings, the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 won’t have stability issues on the highway when you tow a large trailer or haul heavy cargo in the bed. It’s a tire that you can trust with anything, provided you know the limitations of mud-terrain tires and don’t expect a stellar driving experience.
How is the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 over wet and slippery roads?
Overall, this is one of the best mud-terrain tires in rainy conditions currently on the market. Sure, it won’t be as good as an all-terrain or highway tire, but it’s the best you can get in an off-road beast.
Mud terrain tires have very large void areas, which can disperse high amounts of water each second. Hence, hydroplaning won’t be an issue with the GEOLANDAR M/T G003, even when you drive through very deep puddles.
But wet traction is more than just hydroplaning — road contact is key, and mud tires aren’t stellar in that regard. Despite that, the GEOLANDAR M/T G003 manages to provide safe traction in rainy conditions, with overall traction that tops the category.
Yokohama claims 1.29-meter shorter braking than the GOO1 on wet roads due to its advanced compound and optimized sipes. And I can confirm that the braking performance is excellent, along with good acceleration. The lateral grip is also very good for the category — you can push the G003 more in the corners than its rivals.
Crucially, the GEOLANDAR M/T G003 doesn’t suddenly lose traction if you overestimate its abilities and gives you time to react.
With that being said, how is the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 on snow roads?
The Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 delivers solid traction on unpacked snow — the type you encounter when off-roading. Under such conditions, the tire’s features ensure that your car won’t get stuck even when the snow is very deep.
However, like with many mud tires, the GEOLANDAR M/T G003 suffers on packed snow, the type you encounter on the street. In those conditions, the tire struggles for traction and makes things complicated for the driver; the stopping distances are longer than you’d anticipate, and the handling doesn’t feel balanced.
But the biggest obstacle for the G003 would be icy conditions, where the loss of traction is sudden, and the braking is not sufficient.
Therefore, if you often drive on the street during the winter, I strongly recommend going for a set of winter tires. The Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 will be good enough for some winter off-road fun, but it’s not as usable on public roads.
Is the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 suitable for off-road driving?
Off-roading is where the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 excels. With this tire, the adventure and fun begin where the road end, making it a great option for off-road enthusiasts and overlanders.
Put simply, Yokohama’s newest mud tire excels on any terrain, be it in terms of performance or durability. This is a tire you can trust to get you out of some serious trouble, like deep mud or large rocks.
It’s actually one of the best tires for rock crawling, a belief that most off-road enthusiasts I know share. And it’s not just traction — the casing seems capable of tackling the sharpest rocks and escaping undamaged thanks to the excellent resistance from cuts, chips, and punctures.
The G003 also excels in mud, thanks in part to the sidewall lugs and mud-cleaning tread pattern. But the tire also impresses — you can deflate the G003 to some seriously low pressures to aid with floating, particularly with flotation-sized models. The tire has no issues working at low psi, provided you combine it with beadlock wheels.
Furthermore, the G003 is among the best mud tires on hardpacked surfaces, such as dirt and gravel. Traction is excellent, and the stone ejectors do a pristine job of keeping the tread clean. Lastly, turf traction is among the best you can get from any tire, though the G003 will destroy the surface.
Overall, the GEOLANDAR M/T G003 is among the best tires you can get for serious off-roading, period. It possesses enormous traction ability and is made like a tank, and it can bring you places few other tires can!
Is the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 a run flat tire?
Unfortunately, the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 is not a run-flat tire. To check if a Yokohama tire is run flat, see if there is a Zero Pressure System (ZPS) print on the sidewall. Despite that, the G003 has aggressive sidewall armor for protection against punctures, cuts, and chip damage.
How is the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 road noise and comfort performance?
The GEOLANDAR M/T G003 is as quiet and comfortable as you can get in an aggressive off-road tire and is a testament to how far technology has come in recent years.
Noise comes almost as a prerequisite in a mud tire, and most drivers are ready to accept that compromise for some added off-road traction. Still, tiremakers have made great strides toward improving comfort in their off-road products recently using computer-optimized tread patterns.
That is very evident in the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003, which is one of the quietest mud tires you can get. Sure, it won’t be as quiet as a highway tire or even an all-terrain one, but it won’t pierce through your ears like the off-road tires of yore.
But the G003 also impresses with its ride quality, as there are no vibrations, shaking, or rumbling, unlike in most of its competitors. It also glides over smaller reasonably smoothly, though it struggles a bit with potholes. Still, it’s overall a very smooth tire for the category.
Should I buy the Yokohama the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003?
The Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 is a great fit for individuals looking for an excellent off-road tire that works decently on the highway. It’s currently one of the best products in this category, combining exceptional off-road traction with good drivability on dry and wet roads.
The only downside is the lower traction on packed snow and ice, but even then, it’s not much worse than its closest competitors. Thus, if you are in the market for a highly-capable mud tire, you should definitely put the GEOLANDAR M/T G003 on your shortlist!
What sizes does the Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 come in?
| LT215/75R15 100/97Q |
| LT235/75R15 104/101Q |
| 30X9.50R15 104Q |
| 31X10.50R15 109Q |
| 32X11.50R15 113Q |
| 33X12.50R15 108Q |
| 35X12.50R15 113Q |
| LT225/75R16 115/112Q |
| LT235/85R16 120/116Q |
| LT245/75R16 120/116Q |
| LT255/85R16 123/120Q |
| LT265/75R16 123/120Q |
| LT285/75R16 126/123Q |
| LT305/70R16 124/121Q |
| LT315/75R16 127/124 Q |
| 33X12.50R17 120Q |
| LT225/65R17 107/103Q |
| LT235/80R17 120/117 Q |
| LT245/75R17 121/118 Q |
| LT255/75R17 111/108 Q |
| LT255/80R17 121/118Q |
| LT265/70R17 121/118 Q |
| LT275/70R17 121/118Q |
| LT285/70R17 121/118 Q |
| LT285/75R17 121/118Q |
| LT295/70R17 121/118 Q |
| 35X12.50R17 121Q |
| 37X12.50R17 124Q |
| 40X13.50R17 121Q |
| LT275/65R18 123/120Q |
| LT275/70R18 125/122 Q |
| LT285/65R18 125/122 Q |
| LT285/70R18 127/124Q |
| LT285/75R18 129/126Q |
| LT295/70R18 129/126 Q |
| LT305/70R18 126/123 Q |
| LT315/70R18 127/124Q |
| 33X12.50R18 122Q |
| 33X12.50R18 118Q |
| 35X12.50R18 128Q |
| 35X12.50R18 123Q |
| LT275/55R20 120/117Q |
| LT275/65R20 126/123 Q |
| LT295/55R20 123/120 Q |
| LT295/60R20 126/123 Q |
| LT295/65R20 129/126Q |
| LT305/55R20 125/122Q |
| LT305/55R20 121/118 Q |
| LT315/60R20 125/122Q |
| 33X12.50R20 119Q |
| 35X12.50R20 121Q |
| 33X12.50R20 114Q |
| 35X11.50R20 124Q |
| 35X12.50R20 125Q |
| 37X12.50R20 126Q |
| 37X13.50R20 127Q |
| LT285/55R22 124/121Q |
| LT325/50R22 122Q |
| 33X12.50R22 109Q |
| 35X12.50R22 121Q |
| 35X12.50R22 117Q |
| 37X12.50R22 123Q |
| 37X13.50R22 123Q |
| 37X13.50R24 120Q |