FrontRange4Runner
New member
Near the end of October, Discount Tire Direct had an EBay only sale. After endless hours of researching I ended up grabbing a set of these in the stock size. I originally wanted the Nokian Hakka R2 SUV, but they were over 2x the price so I went General instead. I ended up getting these for $450 with the replacement certs and free shipping. I had them installed at my local Discount for $12.50 per tire. All told - Tires, warranty, install and shipping (to my house) came out to almost exactly $500. At this price I felt that the Generals were simply too good of a deal not to try.
So far this year I have gotten to use them in a bunch of different conditions along the front range and in the mountains.
-Wet Roads - They have preformed excellently on wet roads with temps hovering around freezing. Water clears with no issue and I have not experienced any hydroplaning as of yet. I did get some drive train binding a few days ago with 4WD engaged on roads that were going back and fourth between snow packed and wet.
-Snow Pack - Acceleration has been very good. Some wheel spin in very slippery spots but a small amount of extra throttle and you are moving right along. Stopping power is excellent, very controllable and confidence inspiring. As with all snow tires, always leave extra stopping distance. Not because you cant stop, but because there is a good chance that you are stopping much faster than the guy behind you running all seasons.
-Ice - I took a trip over the Central City Parkway 2 weeks ago. (casino baby!). Conditions were ice under snow pack and very windy. Acceleration and cornering grip were very good. Braking distances were increased over simple snow pack, but the vehicle was very stable. I have yet to get them on glare ice, so for now I will have to leave them unrated in that area.
-Deep(ish) Snow - Today I was able to reverse in 2WD through 12+ inches, waiting for 4WD to engage. With the steering at full lock I was able to maintain momentum while I left my house. Once 4WD took, Traction was a nonissue in snow drifts ranging from 12 to 20 in. The Generals have a wider groove, and deeper tread pattern than most winter tires. I feel this will be better in deep snow, at the cost of ice traction. Overall I was very impressed with the 2WD traction leaving my driveway. It's a very cramped area and my 4Runner hates going into 4WD in the cold, so I like knowing that I can make it a distance in 2WD.
-Dry - Sqqqquishy is the only way to describe them. Anyone who has driven a winter tire knows the feeling. Absolutely nothing like my E rated Coopers. That said, they have made me realize how frigging loud my coopers have become (after 50k - expected). Immediately after having them installed, my GF and I could not stop talking about how quiet the 4Runner had become....like catch your SO farting quiet. I think this has far more to do with my Coopers being loud, than these tires being "quiet". My guess is that going from the stock tires to these would yield an increase in cabin noise or a wash at best.
-VS. ANY AT TIRE - This is a simple one. Winter tires outperform all other tires in the winter -period. I don't care if you are the worlds best driver, you can not predict what is around the next corner or what some other person will do. The ability to accelerate faster, corner more sharply and, most importantly, stop better, will always be useful. Once you go winter tires you will not look back.
-Note- I have read several reviews where this tire developed sidewall bubbles. These were all in vehicles with much lower profile tires than we have (Mazda 3 etc). I think our much larger sidewall ratio will provide ample protection from pinching or other nasties created my hitting a pothole. Nonetheless, I would not recommend this tire to anyone who plans to do winter wheeling. These people would likely have something more geared towards very deep snow anyways, but I wanted to put it out there.
-Conclusion - So far I am very happy with these tires. For the price, I do not think they can be beat. I would prefer the Nokians, because I think in some circumstances they would be ever better, however at 2x the price, the performance increase is slim and hard to justify. Were I made of made of money, I would have upgraded, but if you need a winter tire that won't break the bank, this is an excellent option.
Ill update at the end of the winter season to see how they are holding up.
:cheers:
So far this year I have gotten to use them in a bunch of different conditions along the front range and in the mountains.
-Wet Roads - They have preformed excellently on wet roads with temps hovering around freezing. Water clears with no issue and I have not experienced any hydroplaning as of yet. I did get some drive train binding a few days ago with 4WD engaged on roads that were going back and fourth between snow packed and wet.
-Snow Pack - Acceleration has been very good. Some wheel spin in very slippery spots but a small amount of extra throttle and you are moving right along. Stopping power is excellent, very controllable and confidence inspiring. As with all snow tires, always leave extra stopping distance. Not because you cant stop, but because there is a good chance that you are stopping much faster than the guy behind you running all seasons.
-Ice - I took a trip over the Central City Parkway 2 weeks ago. (casino baby!). Conditions were ice under snow pack and very windy. Acceleration and cornering grip were very good. Braking distances were increased over simple snow pack, but the vehicle was very stable. I have yet to get them on glare ice, so for now I will have to leave them unrated in that area.
-Deep(ish) Snow - Today I was able to reverse in 2WD through 12+ inches, waiting for 4WD to engage. With the steering at full lock I was able to maintain momentum while I left my house. Once 4WD took, Traction was a nonissue in snow drifts ranging from 12 to 20 in. The Generals have a wider groove, and deeper tread pattern than most winter tires. I feel this will be better in deep snow, at the cost of ice traction. Overall I was very impressed with the 2WD traction leaving my driveway. It's a very cramped area and my 4Runner hates going into 4WD in the cold, so I like knowing that I can make it a distance in 2WD.
-Dry - Sqqqquishy is the only way to describe them. Anyone who has driven a winter tire knows the feeling. Absolutely nothing like my E rated Coopers. That said, they have made me realize how frigging loud my coopers have become (after 50k - expected). Immediately after having them installed, my GF and I could not stop talking about how quiet the 4Runner had become....like catch your SO farting quiet. I think this has far more to do with my Coopers being loud, than these tires being "quiet". My guess is that going from the stock tires to these would yield an increase in cabin noise or a wash at best.
-VS. ANY AT TIRE - This is a simple one. Winter tires outperform all other tires in the winter -period. I don't care if you are the worlds best driver, you can not predict what is around the next corner or what some other person will do. The ability to accelerate faster, corner more sharply and, most importantly, stop better, will always be useful. Once you go winter tires you will not look back.
-Note- I have read several reviews where this tire developed sidewall bubbles. These were all in vehicles with much lower profile tires than we have (Mazda 3 etc). I think our much larger sidewall ratio will provide ample protection from pinching or other nasties created my hitting a pothole. Nonetheless, I would not recommend this tire to anyone who plans to do winter wheeling. These people would likely have something more geared towards very deep snow anyways, but I wanted to put it out there.
-Conclusion - So far I am very happy with these tires. For the price, I do not think they can be beat. I would prefer the Nokians, because I think in some circumstances they would be ever better, however at 2x the price, the performance increase is slim and hard to justify. Were I made of made of money, I would have upgraded, but if you need a winter tire that won't break the bank, this is an excellent option.
Ill update at the end of the winter season to see how they are holding up.
:cheers:
