G.I.G.
New member
Well after a couple months of not much more than a dusting here in Denver, I finally got to drive my 4Runner in a significant amount of snow, both here in Denver and up in the mountains. After reading numerous threads on this board over the summer regarding VSC, ATRAC, tire choices, etc. I was finally able to get a first hand experience on all those subjects. Here are a few of my observations/thoughts.....
1. VSC: Not as obtrusive as I was expecting it to be. I was expecting VSC to kick in around every corner or every time I got on the gas. As I have mentioned in other threads, however, it would be nice to have a VSC off switch. When I locked the center diff with VSC off and gave it some gas, I didn't get the hesitation that you normally get with VSC on. I felt like I could punch the gas a bit more without out it on and get moving a bit faster.
2. ATRAC: Cool feature but I don't know how beneficial it is in the snow. I guess it is more beneficial if you get stuck (which I did not). I couldn't really tell the difference from the ATRAC kicking in or the VSC between all of the ticking, lights, buzzers, alarms, etc. The ATRAC probably helped a bit though.
3. Full-time 4X4: Bad ass, 'nuf said!
4. Stock Dunlop tires: Not nearly as bad as I was expecting. Of course there are better snow tires out there. But for an OEM highway tread tire, I think they preformed fine. All I really have to compare them with are the stock Goodyear Wrangler SR'A's that I had on my old Grand Cherokee, but I think the Dunlops did as good, if not better, than my old Wranglers. If you think the Dunlops are "death traps" (as some have been quoted as saying about them on Tirerack.com) you really should reevaluate your winter weather driving skills. I won't buy the Dunlops again but I'll probably get as much use out of them as I can before I buy new tires.
Overall I was quite pleased and felt very confident driving my 4Runner in the snow. Other than the VSC which felt a little limiting at times, I couldn't be happier with my 4Runner.
...and for the record, aftern taking this picture and clearing all of the snow off of my 4R, I scooted right out of that parking spot in the blink of an eye. :biggrin2: Note the stuck Honda Accord next to my 4R.
1. VSC: Not as obtrusive as I was expecting it to be. I was expecting VSC to kick in around every corner or every time I got on the gas. As I have mentioned in other threads, however, it would be nice to have a VSC off switch. When I locked the center diff with VSC off and gave it some gas, I didn't get the hesitation that you normally get with VSC on. I felt like I could punch the gas a bit more without out it on and get moving a bit faster.
2. ATRAC: Cool feature but I don't know how beneficial it is in the snow. I guess it is more beneficial if you get stuck (which I did not). I couldn't really tell the difference from the ATRAC kicking in or the VSC between all of the ticking, lights, buzzers, alarms, etc. The ATRAC probably helped a bit though.
3. Full-time 4X4: Bad ass, 'nuf said!
4. Stock Dunlop tires: Not nearly as bad as I was expecting. Of course there are better snow tires out there. But for an OEM highway tread tire, I think they preformed fine. All I really have to compare them with are the stock Goodyear Wrangler SR'A's that I had on my old Grand Cherokee, but I think the Dunlops did as good, if not better, than my old Wranglers. If you think the Dunlops are "death traps" (as some have been quoted as saying about them on Tirerack.com) you really should reevaluate your winter weather driving skills. I won't buy the Dunlops again but I'll probably get as much use out of them as I can before I buy new tires.
Overall I was quite pleased and felt very confident driving my 4Runner in the snow. Other than the VSC which felt a little limiting at times, I couldn't be happier with my 4Runner.
...and for the record, aftern taking this picture and clearing all of the snow off of my 4R, I scooted right out of that parking spot in the blink of an eye. :biggrin2: Note the stuck Honda Accord next to my 4R.
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