do I need snow tires?

[grover]

Just moved to CO from FL and have a 2WD 4Runner. My current tires are close to needing to be replaced and I need to get something before more snow hits here.

Been hearing a lot about people buying snow tires, but not sure if I need them or just all-season? Since it's a 2WD, I'm not doing much off-roading, but do have to drive to work in some pretty bad snow/ice sometimes that I'm not used to since I'm from FL.

I currently have 265/65R17 tires on. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[badattitude]

Yes, you'll need new tires. Just having new tires will help a lot. Can't go wrong with snow tires in CO. I have BFG AT, they are good in snow but only ok on ice.

Still, you are going to wish you had 4wd at some point this winter. Remember, sometimes slower is faster, especially in the snow.

 

[NWSKIUrbanRunner]

That and always to remember 4WD and Snowtires gives you better traction, not uber braking .

Many people out here in Seattle...dont ask me why but others on here from Western Washington i think could agree that when it snows around here many think "Hey 4WD! I can still go 65 down I-5!"

 

[ClockWork]

That and always to remember 4WD and Snowtires gives you better traction, not uber braking .

Many people out here in Seattle...dont ask me why but others on here from Western Washington i think could agree that when it snows around here many think "Hey 4WD! I can still go 65 down I-5!"

OP has a 2WD 4Runner.

 

[grover]

Still, you are going to wish you had 4wd at some point this winter. Remember, sometimes slower is faster, especially in the snow.

Yeah, I know I'll want 4wd, but can't afford a new vehicle, so I'm stuck with the 2wd for now.

I guess I'm more wondering if I should get snow tires for the winter or just get some all-terrain tires that I can use year round?

 

[ClockWork]

You're gonna want snow tires with a 2WD truck in CO.

 

[M1911]

2WD you are absolutely going to want snow tires. Heck, I live in Boston, I have a 4WD 4Runner, and I run snow tires in the winter.

 

[JB.]

Yeah, I know I'll want 4wd, but can't afford a new vehicle, so I'm stuck with the 2wd for now.

I guess I'm more wondering if I should get snow tires for the winter or just get some all-terrain tires that I can use year round?

With traction control for the rear, if you got dedicated snows, you'd do great in just about anything.

If you want something to run year around, which should also work well, you could go to an AT which should be a bit better than an all-season. Looking at Consumer Reports, Hankook Dynapro ATM is the best tire if you put the highest weight on snow and ice. (You may get a recommendation for Goodyear Duratrac, but its a Q speed rated LT tire that wouldn't be the best choice for year round use).

For all-season, look here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/perfo...s-more/101596-2011-cr-truck-tire-reviews.html

 

[Finnegan]

Definitely winter tires. I run Blizzak DM-V1 s here in Chicago and love them. I ran them on my Jeep last year as well. They come in 255 75 17 as well so you can narrow them a little from stock.

I run them not for going but for stopping and turning. Stopping even a few feet sooner can make a huge difference.

Check out this video from Tire Rack.

All-Season vs. Winter / Snow Tires

 

[Acidmeld]

Step 1: Get snow tires
Step 2: Save for 4wd
Step 3: Stay off I-25 when it snows. People cannot drive out here. :lookout: :toilet:


Welcome to Colorado!!

 

[Climb14er]

Just moved to CO from FL and have a 2WD 4Runner. My current tires are close to needing to be replaced and I need to get something before more snow hits here.

Been hearing a lot about people buying snow tires, but not sure if I need them or just all-season? Since it's a 2WD, I'm not doing much off-roading, but do have to drive to work in some pretty bad snow/ice sometimes that I'm not used to since I'm from FL.

I currently have 265/65R17 tires on. Any help is greatly appreciated.

In the late 1970's, before I got into Toyota 4 x 4 pickups and 4Runners, I had a 2WD Toyota pickup with shell.

Go to Home Depot and pick up a couple of the long bags filled with sand and place them in the rear compartment as close to the axles as you can.

This 200# approx added weight will keep your vehicle's rear end down for better traction and coupled with the four snows (studded is even better) you should be fine for most of the roads and snowfalls we get out here (except for the two to three foot ones).

You'll do fine!:

 

[Red]

I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which is a 45 minute drive to the Rocky Mountains so we get some pretty ridiculous winter weather.

Since you have 2WD, you'd definitely do better with some good snow tires, I am considering new tires at the moment but I have full time 4WD so I am thinking about going with the Goodyear Silent Armors, they are an AT tire with the mountain and the snowflake symbol so they have been tested for winter driving and meet their requirements. Also I'm not sure about Colorado but I'm assuming its the same as up here in Alberta and B.C. but if you want to drive through the mountains at all in the winter you need to have tires with the mountain and the snowflake symbol or they won't let you go through.

You definitely do not want all-seasons.

You could go all out and get winter tires that are studded as well.

 

[d2huffman]

That and always to remember 4WD and Snowtires gives you better traction, not uber braking .

Many people out here in Seattle...dont ask me why but others on here from Western Washington i think could agree that when it snows around here many think "Hey 4WD! I can still go 65 down I-5!"

most definitly - with the hills and the wet/slick snow we get there are alot of 4x4 fools around here - especially the big suvs and pickups. I once came back over pass (Snoqualmie) and passed 3 big suvs nose first in the left lane snow bank

 

[Clemsonfan15]

If you get snow tires you'll end up having to buy two sets of tires. Not sure how much you're looking to spend, but it could get fairly expensive.

You don't want to run snow tires when it gets warmer.


You might want to look into the Goodyear DuraTrac. Surely someone on here has put them on a 2wd and has used them in snow.

 

[empty403]

Just moved to CO from FL and have a 2WD 4Runner. My current tires are close to needing to be replaced and I need to get something before more snow hits here.

Been hearing a lot about people buying snow tires, but not sure if I need them or just all-season? Since it's a 2WD, I'm not doing much off-roading, but do have to drive to work in some pretty bad snow/ice sometimes that I'm not used to since I'm from FL.

I currently have 265/65R17 tires on. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Since your in a place with snow most of the winter season it is best to get 2 sets of rims, with one set with snow tires. Any snow tire will be better than the "best rated" all-season tire. Snow tires very soft and stay soft when cold and they have much more siping to grip icy roads.

 

[Red]

Since your in a place with snow most of the winter season it is best to get 2 sets of rims, with one set with snow tires. Any snow tire will be better than the "best rated" all-season tire. Snow tires very soft and stay soft when cold and they have much more siping to grip icy roads.

Very true, this thread is actually making me think about just buying some Blizzaks on steel rims instead of an AT tire, would hate to slide my Limited rims into a curb or something.

 

[leftyguns21]

if you plan on going up to the mtns a lot then get some good snow tires on a 2nd set of rims.
around town you'll be fine in all-season. it doesnt snow as much as people make it out to. and like you noticed it snows and the next day its sunny

welcome to CO

 

[grover]

Thanks for all the info and the "welcome to CO". We are loving it here so far.

I drive 470 along the foothills to work and it got pretty nasty with that last storm that came through. I'm sure it will get much worse.

How are the Blizzaks? I saw them at Discount Tire.
With all the input, I'm leaning towards snow tires since I'm not used to driving in the snow (yet).

Now I have to decide if I drop the $ for new rims also. With moving recently, I'm pretty low on cash, but at least need to get new tires. I guess I could always get my current tires (they still have some miles on them) put back on new rims in the spring?

 

[M1911]

If you get snow tires you'll end up having to buy two sets of tires. Not sure how much you're looking to spend, but it could get fairly expensive.

Snow tires end up costing little extra -- just the cost of an extra set of wheels and mounting. While you are running your snow tires, you aren't running your summer tires so your summer tires last longer.

Blizzaks are decent. They wear out relatively quickly, last I heard. As for rims, look around in forum classifieds to find some used rims. I picked up a full set of OEM 17" 4Runner alloys in near perfect condition for $450 shipped from Utah to MA off an FJ Cruiser forum.

 

[grover]

Thanks for the info on the Blizzaks. I'm also looking at the General Altimax Arctic. Are those any good? I've never been a huge fan of General tires.

Good idea on looking for rims!