Finally got a 4th Gen, disappointed with snow performance; tires?

[cmpcmp123]

Hey all. Finally bought a 4th Gen: '06 Sport V8 with 106k miles. I live up in Alta, Utah which is one of the snowiest places in the lower 48. Driving up the canyon yesterday with about 1" on the ground and ice I could feel it getting a bit squirrelly. That's okay I thought, especially without snow tires. But now, it is literally stuck in about 1/2" of snow over some ice in the back parking lot. I have already dug out around all the tires but they just spin. It doesn't even look like it would be stuck. Probably just needs a push or some sand for traction, but still, I'm not happy. Tried locking the center diff and 4LO too, still just spin the tires. I will try again in the morning, but obviously not what I expected out of this truck.

I'm hoping it is just the tires. It came with Toyo Open Country H/T. I don't know much about tires, but seems like a standard highway tire. Probably need something with more aggressive tread, if not a dedicated snow tire. Still, I would have thought that even with a highway tire it would get out of what it's stuck in now.

What do you guys think?

 

[RunnerAK]

Is your traction control working? Mine ('06 V8 as well) kicks in nearly immediately and doesn't let the tires spin much at all.

Good tires will definitely make a HUGE difference as well, since you get a lot of snow I'd recommend a dedicated set for winter. We have Bridgestone Blizzaks on mine and studded Nokian Hakkapelliitas on the lady's and haven't had any traction problems even with some pretty gnarly ice conditions this past winter. The Blizzaks do pretty well for a non-studded tire, but the Nokians are superior in pretty much every way except road noise.

 

[Stuck CAPS]

Hey all. Finally bought a 4th Gen: '06 Sport V8 with 106k miles. I live up in Alta, Utah which is one of the snowiest places in the lower 48. Driving up the canyon yesterday with about 1" on the ground and ice I could feel it getting a bit squirrelly. That's okay I thought, especially without snow tires. But now, it is literally stuck in about 1/2" of snow over some ice in the back parking lot. I have already dug out around all the tires but they just spin. It doesn't even look like it would be stuck. Probably just needs a push or some sand for traction, but still, I'm not happy. Tried locking the center diff and 4LO too, still just spin the tires. I will try again in the morning, but obviously not what I expected out of this truck.

I'm hoping it is just the tires. It came with Toyo Open Country H/T. I don't know much about tires, but seems like a standard highway tire. Probably need something with more aggressive tread, if not a dedicated snow tire. Still, I would have thought that even with a highway tire it would get out of what it's stuck in now.

What do you guys think?

The only thing you can do for ice, really, is chains or studs. Tires will help with the snow, but both of those situations in snow included ice.

 

[cmpcmp123]

Is your traction control working? Mine ('06 V8 as well) kicks in nearly immediately and doesn't let the tires spin much at all.

Locking the center diff also disengages the VSC. Tried that, still no luck. VSC OFF means the traction control is disabled, right? I still got the slip indicator light flashing while the wheels spun.

The only thing you can do for ice, really, is chains or studs. Tires will help with the snow, but both of those situations in snow included ice.

It doesn't seem too icy, hard to tell with the slush and snow on top, but there has got to be some ice under there. Like I said, seems like it should be able to get out!

 

[Brownfaux]

I live in Layton, and have taken my runner out in snow just to screw around. Must have been an inch or more at 4am a few months ago, and no hesitation anywhere. I have BFGs also, which aren't supposed to be great in the snow I believe. I'd put money on it being the tires. But I looked up pictures of he tread online, they are definitely all season......

Sometimes you just get stuck in snow, especially with ice like the other guys said.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Tire pressure can also make a big difference. What pressure are you running? I've never ran those tires so that could be a big factor too. FWIW, I have the Hankook ATs on my runner and have absolutely no issues in snow and ice at all. For serious ice, like stated above, studs and chains are your best bet.

 

[toyotatech84]

Live in chicago here. Had record snow fall this winter. I have stock 265/65/17 tires. Yokohama geolander tires. Small amounts I can handle it ok. Anything more than a few inches I use the 4hi and virtually no problem. The toyos you have on, what is the tread life remaining? Anything g less than 6/32 and you will have problems. Are they old tires? Dry rot can set it and make them rock rock hard and less plyable

 

[anotherrunner83]

i'm surprised every time i hear this complaint. i have an '08 V8 with micheline MS2 tires. i literally have to try to make it slip in the snow. traction control on these things is really impressive. if it's just sitting there slipping (in normal operation i.e. diff open in full time 4x4), you should be getting all kinds of beeps and clicks while it's trying to modulate power to the gripping tires.

 

[cmpcmp123]

Tire pressure can also make a big difference. What pressure are you running?

Not sure, haven't checked yet. What tire pressure should I be using?

Are they old tires?

No, less than a year old.

if it's just sitting there slipping (in normal operation i.e. diff open in full time 4x4), you should be getting all kinds of beeps and clicks while it's trying to modulate power to the gripping tires.

Yep, was making all kinds of noises without the diff locked when I was revving the engine and wheels were slipping. Good to know this is normal, still didn't sound good though.

 

[4runner423]

yea i have the Bridgestone Duelers H/T and tehy suck in the snow. I wish they weren't brand new so I could go get some michelins or hankooks.

 

[imdtucker]

It sounds like everything is working as it should on your 4Runner. Some new tires should help you out - either winter specific or an aggressive AT tire would be my recommendation. For gearing/locking the diff, anytime it snows I switch it into 4Hi and let traction control do its work. If I get myself stuck in some deeper stuff, I'll lock the diff which will disable slip control, allowing you to get some more power (just don't spin them too fast!)

I run BFG AT KO's up in Calgary, Alberta where it snow 8-9 months a year (and as recently as yesterday!) and haven't had a problem in the snow and slush, including 12-18" of drifting snow. Ice you really can't help, regardless of what tires you run.

 

[Ryan H]

This past winter (which up until last week STILL had not ended lol) I pulled a RWD Infiniti uphill in about 4-5 inches of hard snow/ice...it struggled but it did make it with 4 low and diff locked. I'm V6 with Goodyear Duratracs. Maybe your area was more frozen than mine. The tires I'm running are rated for severe winter weather...guess they weren't kidding.

 

[JB40]

This past winter (which up until last week STILL had not ended lol) I pulled a RWD Infiniti uphill in about 4-5 inches of hard snow/ice...it struggled but it did make it with 4 low and diff locked. I'm V6 with Goodyear Duratracs. Maybe your area was more frozen than mine. The tires I'm running are rated for severe winter weather...guess they weren't kidding.

Duratracs rule in the snow. I've never owned a set but I've been in trucks with them on. They're on the short list for my 4R.

 

[Robs08Runner]

New Michelin M/s. I don't need 4x4 till about the 8 inch mark. Old, hard tires suck in snow.

 

[HOJeepster]

Get a good set of tires.

If you're constantly driving in icy conditions, get studded tires.

I don't think it's the truck's 4x4 system, it's getting your truck up to par to handle the conditions.

 

[nevada]

Yep, was making all kinds of noises without the diff locked when I was revving the engine and wheels were slipping. Good to know this is normal, still didn't sound good though.

perhaps that is your problem.
snow and ice, you want to spin the tires as little as possible. basically you want JUST enough throttle to move the rig, without spinning the tires.

drop the air down 10psi from where its at, and try light throttle. I bet it drives right out.

 

[cmpcmp123]

Got it out this morning. Broke up the ice around the tires down to the pavement. It sunk down into about a half inch of ice because of the tire spin. Probably have to get some tires next season.

 

[CBR]

What are you comparing your 4runner to?

I've had a Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, 2nd gen 4runner, 4th gen 4runner, dakota 4x4.

My 4th gen is as good if not better then the rest in the snow. It did take me awhile to get used to the 4th gen 4x4 system.

 

[SluiceboxSlim]

Got it out this morning. Broke up the ice around the tires down to the pavement. It sunk down into about a half inch of ice because of the tire spin. Probably have to get some tires next season.

Man, it sounds as though your truck is sitting on solid ice. That's not a situation most vehicles would end up gathering any kind of decent traction. I tried to get loose in some slick conditions with my old, non-snow tires, and couldn't pull it off. Your truck should be as capable as they get.

Where you live, the studs seem mandatory. I grew up driving in the snow, with old VW's with extra sets of studded tires, and was impressed how capable that was with the motor over the rear tires. I've heard siping helps, and just had it done to the new shoes for our Subaru, but haven't experienced that with the 4Runner.

If you're stuck spinning your tires on solid ice, the folks recommending dedicated, studded snow tires are spot on.