2011 4runner has poor traction on snowy roads

I have my stock Yoko Geolanders on that only have about 4/32nd left on em and they have got me through our MN winter just fine. No sliding or doing 180's for me. Of course, I drive how the conditions allow and have 20 years of experience driving on ice and snow.

However, I'm currently looking for replacement tires. 4/32nds is getting down there...
 
Engineer said:
Agree with the above, the road and tire interface has NO idea what is providing the power if it’s a Audi R8 or a 4runner. If you feel you have poor traction under the same driving conditions and habits you had in your 08 the difference is the tires.

I find it funny there is the perception that one AWD/4x4 car is inherently better then the next in the snow. (not pointing to anyone here, just saying in general conversations I have heard) Modern nanny controls aside what will make the single greatest difference is tires......not what brand, what weight distribution, track width, CG etc (assuming you stay within normal limits of modern car design....ie no one drives a car that has 90% of its weight upfront). Actually I am wrong, Driving habits make more of a difference than anything else but I think we all know that we are each the best at driving at the snow and if something happens it was the fault of the car not myself
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The two most important components of a vehicle:
1. Tires
2. Brakes

The two most poorly maintained components of a vehicle:
1. Tires
2. Brakes
 
answers

to all the gentleman who are driving experts Thanks. This is my third 4 runner. I have loved all of them. I know how to drive in bad weather as I have lived in Iowa all my life. I ask a simple question and get a lot of great answers of course you have to expect a few that I just shake my head at. I will look at new tires but tires for a limited are hard to find and cooper does not make tires for 20" rims. I don't plan on off-roading in a near new truck I just was looking for some opinions. Just want to make sure I have the 4 wheel dive set in the right position.
 
going on 2 winters with stock oem tires. don't have any issues, but then again I drive and adjust for the conditions.

also I don't go out when the crap hits the fan just for fun or pulling people out of snow banks like I use to.

the oem's are great, if I need blizzaks, then I need to stay home cause waiting a few days is easier than I have to be out right now to get that movie rental or hamburger to justify having blizzaks :)

funny thing old age does to you, you care less about the fun joyful days and enjoy your warm house, TV's and watching the funny youtube video's and news about all the idiots in the snow storm.
 
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oneshot said:
I will look at new tires but tires for a limited are hard to find and cooper does not make tires for 20" rims. I don't plan on off-roading in a near new truck I just was looking for some opinions. Just want to make sure I have the 4 wheel dive set in the right position.
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Do yourself a favour and get some 17" steelies for winter. There'll be a lot more selection of winter tires in the 265/70/17 size, the taller sidewall will help in the snow, and it won't cost as much to replace a steelie as the factory 20" wheel if you dent one on a curb from sliding on ice. Since you have a LTD you don't have to switch to 4HI (centre diff locked) for normal street driving.
 
badhabits said:
No The most important component of a vehicle:
THE DRIVER
Everything is secondary.
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Tell that to Google... and Audi.... and Cadillac... and BMW... apparently they are doing away with that faulty poorly manufactured and highly suspect component you call "driver."
 
1engineer said:
Tell that to Google... and Audi.... and Cadillac... and BMW... apparently they are doing away with that faulty poorly manufactured and highly suspect component you call "driver."
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I would like to see a self driving car handle this weather. Of course with global warming this might be a moot point.

:lookout:
 
1engineer said:
Tell that to Google... and Audi.... and Cadillac... and BMW... apparently they are doing away with that faulty poorly manufactured and highly suspect component you call "driver."
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I believe you're mistaken here [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION]. I believe the new "PC" term is "organic occupant". My understanding is that this change was necessary due to the fact that the term "driver" implied that there was intellectual activity of some sort involved. Anyone who's driven as long as we have certainly knows that "intelligence" has been significantly removed from the act of driving.....so a more PC term was coined.
 
Intruder said:
Do yourself a favour and get some 17" steelies for winter. There'll be a lot more selection of winter tires in the 265/70/17 size, the taller sidewall will help in the snow, and it won't cost as much to replace a steelie as the factory 20" wheel if you dent one on a curb from sliding on ice. Since you have a LTD you don't have to switch to 4HI (centre diff locked) for normal street driving.
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^^^^^ what he said. The 20" rims are :barf:
 
Just as important as good tires, what air pressure are you running in the tires? If they are aired up to the max, you will have poor traction regardless of what tire you are running. Check them before you start your day.
 
Lads, please, the OP is on to something: 4Runner has very poor traction in snow. After 30 inches, plus a little ice, it has to be put into 4H. And 4L is needed for the 40 inches, so, yeah, this is a real shortcoming.
 

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I know 85 people already said this, but you need new tires, man.

I bought my 2008 used, and bought my 2010 used. Both had fine looking tires with aggressive looking tread. Brand new tires in both cases. But no one has ever heard of the manufacturer. It's a nice way for dealerships to save money.

The first time it rained I hydroplaned in the 2008 on a road I've travelled for 10 years without having that experience. Dropped it off the following day and got better tires, and it never happened again. I didn't wait for that experience with my 2010; the week after I brought it home it was already at the shop for new tires.
 
Ive had some nasty black ice and snowy roads here as of late, and when I drive into work, I purposely drive like an oblivious woman, to see what will happen. I then text my old lady and let her know the roads are slick and that every corner is a death trap. Ive yet to be tossed off the road. But when it did slip, the trac control robot from hell, actually did its job. I suggest you turn all the functions off and find a parking lot to fool around in and get a good feel for the truck and how it reacts.

I think your used to the feel of your old truck and predicting your new trucks behavior based on that.

Like making pancakes your whole life with bisquick, then switching to some Mal-Wart off brand and expecting the same taste....
 
NoDak said:
funny thing old age does to you, you care less about the fun joyful days and enjoy your warm house, TV's and watching the funny youtube video's and news about all the idiots in the snow storm.
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Speak for yourself young buck. You obviously haven't hit your 2nd childhood yet! And this was after a Looziana "snow" storm...... :moon:
 

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dekeman said:
Lads, please, the OP is on to something: 4Runner has very poor traction in snow. After 30 inches, plus a little ice, it has to be put into 4H. And 4L is needed for the 40 inches, so, yeah, this is a real shortcoming.
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WOW So surprised to see so many people have trouble driving in snow with the Limited. Personally with an all stock 2011 Limited I have had no issue driving in just the same conditions. I have had the stock geo's and now Bridgestone. Both have been All-Season tires. We get on average around 170" of snow a year here thanks to lake effect snow. I have never had an issue getting around in any kind of conditions.

I guess you have to go back with [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] here and that you need to drive according to the conditions. Oh...and I am not aware of a single vehicle that would not need at least 4H while driving in 40" of snow on the roads. Most stock vehicles do not even have the ground clearance to drive in that. JMO
 
perkdog258 said:
WOW So surprised to see so many people have trouble driving in snow with the Limited. Personally with an all stock 2011 Limited I have had no issue driving in just the same conditions. I have had the stock geo's and now Bridgestone. Both have been All-Season tires. We get on average around 170" of snow a year here thanks to lake effect snow. I have never had an issue getting around in any kind of conditions.

I guess you have to go back with [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] here and that you need to drive according to the conditions. Oh...and I am not aware of a single vehicle that would not need at least 4H while driving in 40" of snow on the roads. Most stock vehicles do not even have the ground clearance to drive in that. JMO
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Pretty sure [MENTION=48776]dekeman[/MENTION] was being a bit facetious...
 
Man I hope so....

I was driving in 12" + yesterday with no issue at all. I love how well the 4runner handles in the snow.
 
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