Advice needed - Tires, Undercoating, stability system

[TAAM]

Hi guys,
Got a 2007 4runner limited a while back. Enjoying the vehicle a lot.

So...I live in western Canada. It's snowy. I go in the mountains and on the highways a moderate amount, though not offroading type of driving.

So....
1. Recommendations for rims and tires? I had Michelin X-ice tires on my former vehicle and they seemed good...there's also Nokian tires.

2. On another vehicle I had a rust prevention undercoating put on...and that seems to help (still going from 1991). However, do I need to do such a thing with this vehicle?

3. Does this 2007 vehicle have a stability system? I ask because the former owner has different brands of tires on front and back and I have left them this way for now. On the highway...at times it seems the truck "skitters" left/right, seeming to adjust itself a bit, when on asphalt that has a bit of a trough for each tire from the constant traffic.

Any thoughtful feedback would be very welcome.
thanks
TAAM

 

[settytb]

1. I'm not sure I just use all season tires mostly but it isn't as cold here as it is there.
2. Rust prevention would be nice to have. I would recommend it on everything there are some of the 4th gens that are pretty rusted...
3. It does have stability system. When it engages it kind of beeps at you. So, in the snow if you get kind of sideways it will beep at you and correct. Hope that helps.

The steering left and right probably just has to do with the size of your tires...the bigger the tires (suv) the more they get caught in the trough and wander a little bit. You could get an alignment if you are worried about it...

 

[ninefinger]

I'm in eastern Canada and I can't really comment on the tires - I've had my T4R 1 year and I got through the winter on the worn out Michelin Cross terains that were OEM on it. I now have a new set of Michelin LTX M/S2 and expect no problems whatsoever..

For undercoating - yes definitely if you drive anywhere near where they use salt. Mine had been undercoated before I bought it and it looked to have done a good job. I let it go last year - now I see the old undercoating flaking off and surface rust appearing on the undercarriage. I just had the undercoating done again to stop whatever rust has started.

All 4th gen have stability system (VSC). I would definitely look at getting 4 tires that are the same on there ASAP - you don't mention if yours is V8 (permanent 4wd) or V6 but if the V8 then that could be putting a strain on your driveline if the diameters are different enough from front to rear. For what its worth I don't think its the VSC kicking in cause it blinks the light on the dash and I "think" it beeps (mine does and its a 2004). But the different treads responding to the road differently will give you a funny feeling sometimes - sounds like it anyways.

my 2 cents,

Mike

 

[TAAM]

1. I'm not sure I just use all season tires mostly but it isn't as cold here as it is there.
2. Rust prevention would be nice to have. I would recommend it on everything there are some of the 4th gens that are pretty rusted...
3. It does have stability system. When it engages it kind of beeps at you. So, in the snow if you get kind of sideways it will beep at you and correct. Hope that helps.

The steering left and right probably just has to do with the size of your tires...the bigger the tires (suv) the more they get caught in the trough and wander a little bit. You could get an alignment if you are worried about it...

Yes I thought this might be the reality of it as far as the shimming around on the highway.
There are places I go in the winter, in high passes, that authorities don't allow people to go unless they have snow/ice tires, or chains. Still these are asphalt and plowed often.
Rust proofing I have been thinking about....

thanks for the feedback.
taam

 

[TAAM]

I'm in eastern Canada and I can't really comment on the tires - I've had my T4R 1 year and I got through the winter on the worn out Michelin Cross terains that were OEM on it. I now have a new set of Michelin LTX M/S2 and expect no problems whatsoever..

For undercoating - yes definitely if you drive anywhere near where they use salt. Mine had been undercoated before I bought it and it looked to have done a good job. I let it go last year - now I see the old undercoating flaking off and surface rust appearing on the undercarriage. I just had the undercoating done again to stop whatever rust has started.

All 4th gen have stability system (VSC). I would definitely look at getting 4 tires that are the same on there ASAP - you don't mention if yours is V8 (permanent 4wd) or V6 but if the V8 then that could be putting a strain on your driveline if the diameters are different enough from front to rear. For what its worth I don't think its the VSC kicking in cause it blinks the light on the dash and I "think" it beeps (mine does and its a 2004). But the different treads responding to the road differently will give you a funny feeling sometimes - sounds like it anyways.

my 2 cents,

Mike

My vehicle is a V6 with the optional 4wd engagement.
No..there's no beeping when I am driving on the straight and narrow and even highway...and I am not referring to the ascent/descent system.

Ya ..another way to phrase it..funny feeling.
thanks for commenting.
taam

 

[MikeInNH]

There are many good AT tires out there for your needs. Don't be stuck on a particular brand....

Undercoating...Not Needed...Hasn't been needed in cars for years. Vehicles these days don't rust like they use to....New materials...better designs...

 

[TAAM]

thanks again for the helpful info
was out pricing tires and will decide soon
best