Cooper Discoverer AT3: A Comprehensive Tire Review
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When it comes to the capacity to travel over any terrain, nothing compares to the performance of a pair of all-terrain tires. It’s true that tires designed specifically for off-roading will perform better in those conditions, but they’ll be a lot less effective on the street. On the other hand, highway and touring tires perform significantly better on the road but are not suited as all for off-roading.
To put it another way, having all-terrain tires on your vehicle will provide you with the best possible mix of safe and reliable on-road handling as well as confident off-road traction. That is, of course, assuming that you go with an all-terrain tire that is of a higher quality. In spite of the marketing hype, the majority of all-terrain tires are not designed to provide safe handling on paved surfaces. This is a significant limitation. In addition, the cheapest entry do not last very long, and it is possible that you will need to replace them after 20,000 miles have been driven.
When it comes to tires that are capable of being used off-road, Cooper is a manufacturer that we have come to put our faith in. They are so committed to producing high-quality tires for SUVs and trucks that they have developed two different all-terrain models: the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S and the XLT.
But what specifically differentiates the two from one another? And perhaps most significantly, which model would serve your requirements the very best? Because there is no straightforward response to the question, you will need to go through our whole evaluation of the Cooper Discoverer AT3 to find out the solution. It is possible that the Discoverer AT3 4S will be the superior option for certain individuals, while the Discoverer AT3 XLT will be the superior option for others. In order to provide you with a conclusive response, we tested both sets of tires on public roads as well as in undeveloped areas.
Both sets of tires are designed to appeal to customers who drive SUVs or trucks and are looking for tires that provide solid on-road handling and stability in addition to superior off-road grip. Off-road capable vehicles such as Jeep Wranglers, Cherokees, and Liberty’s, Toyota 4Runners, FJ Cruisers, and Tacoma’s, Chevy Colorado ZR2, Ford Raptor, Hummer H3, Land Rover Defender, and other vehicles may find these tires to be beneficial.
Having said that, we do not advise buyers of passenger SUVs or crossovers to get these tires for their vehicles. These automobiles do not possess the off-road capacity of a “real” SUV or truck, and mounting these tires won’t make much of a difference in that regard. In addition to this, you will experience a decrease in the prior tires’ handling, stability, and braking performance while driving on the road.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s take a look at the fundamental differences between the two sets of tires, including the technologies and aesthetic decisions that set them apart. In the event that you are not interested in that, our comprehensive evaluation of the Cooper Discoverer AT3 may be found further down below.
What are the features of the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S?

According to Cooper Tire, the Discoverer AT3 4S is an all-terrain tire that is outfitted with the company’s patented Adaptive-Traction TechnologyTM. This technology allows the tire to maintain a firm grip on the terrain, regardless of whether it is rocky or smooth, even in the harshest weather conditions. This is a more eloquent way to define a tire that is built to perform well in both on-road and off-road environments.
The primary objective of the development team was to produce a tire that provided superior on-road comfort, advanced off-road endurance, maximum grip and handling on wet roads, and improved traction and braking on snow compared to the previous model. The fact that Cooper Tire claims its snow tires will reduce stopping distances by up to 20 feet is astounding, to say the least.
On the Discoverer AT3, Cooper utilized a tread compound that was based on silica in order to accomplish the aforementioned goals. The compound is then shaped into a pattern called Secure-Grip all-terrain, which is made to work on any surface. The tread pattern makes use of an open, five-rib design that was developed for enhanced performance in both dry and wet conditions, in addition to greater off-road capability.
In addition, the Discoverer AT3 4S features circumferential Aqua VacTM Channels as well as wide, lateral notches, all of which contribute to improved water evacuation and increased resistance to hydroplaning. The AT3 4S is an all-season tire, and in addition to that, it contains something called Cooper’s unique Micro-Gauge ZigZag Sipes. These sipes generate additional biting edges, which improve grip on terrain that are slick, such as when it is snowing or raining. According to Cooper, the sipes do not compromise the stability of the tread block, which allows the dry handling qualities to be maintained.
Last but not least, Cooper outfitted their most recent all-terrain tire with a technology called Snow Groove. This technology features saw-tooth block edges in the outboard grooves to improve the tire’s traction in the snow. To back up those claims, Cooper was able to acquire a symbol known as the 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake) imprinted on the tire. This symbol indicates that the tire is ready for slightly tougher wintry conditions, despite the fact that it is not quite on par with winter tires.
The interior of the AT3 4S features a robust two-ply polyester casing, assisted by a single-ply nylon reinforcement, and two high-strength steel belts. Additionally, the AT3 4S has a single-ply nylon reinforcement. This combination is the industry standard, and it ought to bring about improved high-speed stability, responsiveness, and longevity.
There is a wide range of sizes available for the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S, beginning at 15 inches and going up to 22 inches.
Pros
- Excellent off-road traction
- Very good handling and braking on dry and wet surfaces
- Surprisingly good over snowy surfaces
- Durable tread compound
- Long treadwear warranty
Cons
- Not the best option for surfaces covered in mud
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What are the features of the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT?

According to Cooper Tire, the Discoverer AT3 4S is an all-terrain tire that is outfitted with the company’s patented Adaptive-Traction TechnologyTM. This technology allows the tire to maintain a firm grip on the terrain, regardless of whether it is rocky or smooth, even in the harshest weather conditions. This is a more eloquent way to define a tire that is built to perform well in both on-road and off-road environments.
The primary objective of the development team was to produce a tire that provided superior on-road comfort, advanced off-road endurance, maximum grip and handling on wet roads, and improved traction and braking on snow compared to the previous model. The fact that Cooper Tire claims its snow tires will reduce stopping distances by up to 20 feet is astounding, to say the least.
On the Discoverer AT3, Cooper utilized a tread compound that was based on silica in order to accomplish the aforementioned goals. The compound is then shaped into a pattern called Secure-Grip all-terrain, which is made to work on any surface. The tread pattern makes use of an open, five-rib design that was developed for enhanced performance in both dry and wet conditions, in addition to greater off-road capability.
In addition, the Discoverer AT3 4S features circumferential Aqua VacTM Channels as well as wide, lateral notches, all of which contribute to improved water evacuation and increased resistance to hydroplaning. The AT3 4S is an all-season tire, and in addition to that, it contains something called Cooper’s unique Micro-Gauge ZigZag Sipes. These sipes generate additional biting edges, which improve grip on terrain that are slick, such as when it is snowing or raining. According to Cooper, the sipes do not compromise the stability of the tread block, which allows the dry handling qualities to be maintained.
Last but not least, Cooper outfitted their most recent all-terrain tire with a technology called Snow Groove. This technology features saw-tooth block edges in the outboard grooves to improve the tire’s traction in the snow. To back up those claims, Cooper was able to acquire a symbol known as the 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake) imprinted on the tire. This symbol indicates that the tire is ready for slightly tougher wintry conditions, despite the fact that it is not quite on par with winter tires.
The interior of the AT3 4S features a robust two-ply polyester casing, assisted by a single-ply nylon reinforcement, and two high-strength steel belts. Additionally, the AT3 4S has a single-ply nylon reinforcement. This combination is the industry standard, and it ought to bring about improved high-speed stability, responsiveness, and longevity.
There is a wide range of sizes available for the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S, beginning at 15 inches and going up to 22 inches.
Pros
- Excellent off-road traction
- Strong handling and stability on dry surfaces
- Usable over unpacked snow
- Durable and tough tread compound
- Long treadwear warranty
What are maintenance indicators?
Both the Discoverer AT3 4S and the Discoverer AT3 XLT have maintenance indicators built into them, much like every other current tire that Cooper produces. In their most basic form, these are just little pieces of rubber that have been inserted into the tread of the tire.
Because they display how much tread is still remaining on the tire, these indicators play an extremely significant role in ensuring the safety of the vehicle. The tread depth of any tire can be used to increase wet grip and braking performance. If the tread of your tires is completely worn away, your vehicle will slide all over the place whenever you round a curve.
This tire, much like most others, has a minimum tread depth of 2/32 of an inch. The maintenance indicators will be flush with the tread pattern when the tires have been worn down to this value.
In spite of this, considering that both of these tires are of the all-terrain sort, it is recommended that you consider replacing them before the tread becomes entirely worn down. If all-terrain tires don’t have adequate tread, not only will they have poor performance off-road, but they’ll also be less effective in the snow and the rain.
The good news is that Cooper Tire provides exceptional warranties for both of their products. The treadwear guarantee that is included with the Discoverer AT3 4S is one of the longest in the industry, covering 65,000 miles of use. Although the treadwear warranty on the Discoverer AT3 XLT is only good for 60,000 miles, this is still an outstanding amount of coverage.
What is the Main Difference Between 4S and XLT?
The availability of different size options is the feature that most clearly differentiates the Discoverer AT3 4S and the Discoverer AT3 XLT.
The Discoverer AT3 4S is a tire that is exclusively available in P-metric sizes, which indicates that it is primarily intended for use on SUVs and trucks that have a lower maximum payload capacity. Because it has lower weight limits, the 4S is not the ideal option for transporting very big freight or towing very large trailers. However, it is a good option for transporting lighter loads.
On the other hand, the Discoverer AT3 XLT is only available in LT-metric sizes, which indicates that it is intended for full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Because it is available in greater load ratings, the XLT can also be utilized for hauling very big freight or pulling very large trailers. This flexibility makes it an excellent choice for commercial applications.
Kindly take note that the Discoverer AT3 LT is the name of the LT version of the 4S, which can be purchased. This tire has improved towing and hauling characteristics, in addition to several technology borrowed from XLT, however it is only available in smaller sizes. It is anticipated that the Discoverer AT3 LT will offer results that are comparable to those of the Discoverer AT3 XLT in terms of performance.
Are they good for off-road driving?

Both sets of tires will provide an admirable level of performance on off-road terrain for the vast majority of folks. However, true off-road aficionados probably won’t find them to be the most suitable option. If you are looking for the highest possible traction when driving off-road, then you should consider purchasing a set of maximum traction off-road tires or mud-terrain tires. Both of these types of tires are available.
In spite of this, we found that both tires had excellent responsiveness and grip on hardpacked surfaces, such as dirt and gravel, when we put them through our battery of tests. Additionally, the tires offered reassuring traction on surfaces that were rocky and extremely good traction in muddy conditions.
In spite of this, the XLT comes out on top between the two, particularly when driving through rugged terrain or through mud. Despite this, there isn’t a huge gap between the two.
How do they behave on a dry tarmac?
Both tires offer a responsive and dependable experience for the driver while they are being used on the road. It came as a surprise that the tires responded very quickly to the input from the driver. In addition to this, they had very strong traction and grip in the corners, and the distances they had to go to stop were extremely small.
The Discoverer AT3 4S demonstrated on-road dynamics that were marginally more favorable than those of the other vehicle, but this is likely owing to the lighter-duty construction of the Discoverer. You should know that both tires were entirely trustworthy and safe when driving, even at highway speeds. This information is important to have.
How are they over wet and slippery roads?
Because it has Aqua VacTM Channels and increased siping on the tread blocks, the Discoverer AT3 4S performs noticeably better on pavement that has been sprayed with water. The amount of traction, the confident and predictable handling, and the small distances required to stop were all things that left us impressed. In addition to this, the AT3 4S has a marginally improved resistance to hydroplaning, which is unquestionably a plus.
That doesn’t mean the Discoverer AT3 XLT is a terrible product. On the other hand, when compared to other competitors with prices that are comparable to it, the XLT performs exceptionally well when exposed to damp weather. The handling is reliable and easy to anticipate, and the stopping distances are not excessive. However, we would have liked for there to be a little bit more resistance to hydroplaning.
With that being said, how are they on snowy roads?

Both of these tires have aggressive tread patterns, which should result in improved traction when driving in the snow. On the other hand, we discovered that the AT3 4S inspires a great deal more confidence when driving in the snow.
In addition to the Snow Groove Technology, the 4S is outfitted with an increased number of sipes on the inner tread blocks. Because of this, the vehicle will be easier to handle, will have improved traction, and will require less distance to stop.
However, the Discoverer AT3 XLT is not quite as capable in the snow as the 4S. It is still extremely capable, however. In areas with light or unpacked snow, the vehicle has adequate traction, predictable handling, and reasonable short stopping distances.
Having said that, neither set of tires is an ideal choice for driving in severe wintry conditions. They have a lot of trouble moving around when there is ice or packed snow. Because of this, we recommend that those who reside in regions that receive a significant amount of snow throughout the wintertime invest in an additional pair of winter tires.
Are they comfortable and refined?
When it comes to all-terrain tires, the 4S and the XLT both have a comfortable and quiet ride to offer. In this regard, the XLT more than lived up to our expectations; the Whisper GroovesTM contribute significantly to the noticeable reduction in road noise. On the other hand, the 4S gives the impression of being more pleasant when traveling over broken surfaces; nevertheless, this is most likely owing to the lighter-duty structure.
Should I buy the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S or XLT?
Both the Discoverer AT3 4S and the Discoverer AT3 XLT are among the very best all-terrain tires that are currently available on the market. They perform exceptionally well on the road, both on dry and wet roads, offer the passengers a journey that is reasonably quiet and comfortable, and are able to function even when there is snow on the ground.