My 2007 4 runner sliding in street snow

[JB.]

Re: 13.3 Rotors

JB how can you tell?

I just checked my window sticker and manual and can see no reference to Disc sizes

The reason I am interested is I might swap my 18'' rims for a set of 17'' at the next tire change so I can go back to my favorite compromise tire, the BFG A/Ts. Im running Revo's now, they cost me $150 each and the BFG A/T in an 18'' was about $250 each, but drops to like $160 in a 17''

regs

Joe

I measured.

You should be able to go to 17" rims regardless of which rotor size you have.

 

[jon9]

What the Toyota dealer said about VSC

Here's the latest on the sliding saga...I took the T4R 2007 Ltd to the local Toyota dealer and had them check VSC. They said it's working fine, and told me VSC turns off when vehicle is put into either 4 HI or LO. Dealer said VSC only works in 2 wheel drive. That's the story...guess I'll just drive the thing...maybe put the Hakka 5's on the 18" rims and see if they make a difference.

 

[jwa898]

Re: What the Toyota dealer said about VSC

Here's the latest on the sliding saga...I took the T4R 2007 Ltd to the local Toyota dealer and had them check VSC. They said it's working fine, and told me VSC turns off when vehicle is put into either 4 HI or LO. Dealer said VSC only works in 2 wheel drive. That's the story...guess I'll just drive the thing...maybe put the Hakka 5's on the 18" rims and see if they make a difference.

If I'm not mistaken the VSC is ALWAYS on UNLESS you lock the center differential.

 

[alaskaman]

that is correct. Jon ma man find a dealer that knows what the F they are talking about....and THEN TAKE Rooks advice.
go for a ride and show em...........regarding the other dealer...."I say we take off and nuke em from orbit...it's the only way to be sure"....

 

[charlier180]

Re: What the Toyota dealer said about VSC

Here's the latest on the sliding saga...I took the T4R 2007 Ltd to the local Toyota dealer and had them check VSC. They said it's working fine, and told me VSC turns off when vehicle is put into either 4 HI or LO. Dealer said VSC only works in 2 wheel drive. That's the story...guess I'll just drive the thing...maybe put the Hakka 5's on the 18" rims and see if they make a difference.

jon9, I just re-read the thread and have a question.

Do you have a V6 or V8 4Runner??? I did not see that mentioned in this thread and was wondering which model you have.

 

[jon9]

I have a V6

 

[Boston_Runner]

Jon, did you hear a beep or see a sliding car warning light on your dash when you were sliding? If not, then your VSC is not working or you have the center diff. lock on.

 

[jon9]

Much better with Nokians!

Well, here is the final final. I got rid of the Blizak snow tires and replaced them with Nokian Hakka 5's. What a difference! Seems on the 18" rims Nokians perform far superior to the Blizaks in snow. All of the sliding has stopped and traction is much improved.

 

[ARCHON]

I bought in September a 2007 4 runner limited with 18" wheels (265 60R 18). I drove it for the first time in about 8 inches of snow on local streets where I live. I put the SUV into 4 wheel hi, differential unlocked, and still the SUV was sliding around turns, as well as when braking or accelerating. I was driving at normal snow speeds..slow. I also have on the SUV Blizack snow tires. Any help about what to do?

This is my first 4wd vehicle. I also have a Volvo XC 70 with all wheel drive. I took the volvo out in the same snow and it handled much better than my 4 runner.

I found out in today's snowstorm, much to my chagrin, that my '007 4Runner Sport, purchased in October is performing as terribly as you described your own.

The 4Runner is my 3rd 4WD vehicle in the last 15 years and its performance in the snow was on a par with my old 1980 Firebird; TERRIBLE.

It looks great, rides wonderfully, even in the rain but now I definitely feel as though I wasted $35,000 on this truck.

 

[V8Limited4wd]

I'm surprised that this even happened with you. When I drove in my first major winter storm (1/05) with the runner it performed flawlessly. There was over a foot of snow and I was driving through it and taking turns as if it wasnt even snowing!! My friends even commented on how awesome it performed in the snow. the wheels have the xterrains on them. btw you should also check the tire pressure... if theres too much air then you wont get much traction in the snow... less air = more traction.

 

[charlier180]

I found out in today's snowstorm, much to my chagrin, that my '007 4Runner Sport, purchased in October is performing as terribly as you described your own.

The 4Runner is my 3rd 4WD vehicle in the last 15 years and its performance in the snow was on a par with my old 1980 Firebird; TERRIBLE.

It looks great, rides wonderfully, even in the rain but now I definitely feel as though I wasted $35,000 on this truck.

Sorry to hear about your concerns.

Just out of curiousity maybe you could answer a few questions.

What brand and type of tires are you using?

What is the air pressure in your tires?

Is your 4Runner 2WD/4WD or full-time 4WD?

What sort of driving conditions did you encounter? (ie. ice, xx inches of snow, etc)


To be honest I personally found that the original, stock Bridgestone tires that came on my 4Runner were not the best choice
for good traction in snow once it got over a certain depth. Their tread pattern and width did not provide enough traction (especailly when making even the slowest of turns).
For me, the solution to snow traction problems was found by using Bridgestone Blizzak tires.
They have never let me down and have gotten me through situations where many, many, many other SUVs were stuck or spinning their tires.

The original poster of this thread had problems with his Blizzaks and traction which I cannot explain given my experience with numerous sets of these tires.
Based on his last post he did find a solution to his traction problems when he got new tires.

 

[Falls]

Well guys all I can say is something is wrong . This is about my 15th 4wd truck and it performs wonderfully .

I have noticed with my AT tires ( Revos) that if we have wet hard packed snow I slide , but the VSC straightens me out , when its really cold and have a light fluffy snow and its colder than cold out ( below zero ) the truck performs awesome.

a lot can depend on what type of snow or ice you drive on.

 

[b0rncha0s4x4]

When I take my 97 SR5 4x4 into the snow and it does fine. No VSC, No ATRAC or EBD bullshit. Maybe something is locked up causing the sliding? In addition, I have siped mud terrain tires. 4x4 hi, no lockers, open diffs. I drop it in to 2 or L as is necessary and just take it real easy. The deeper the snow, the more traction I have. Some slippage on ICY roads, but make sure you are not on the gas or brake and simply coasting through turns, you shouldn't slip so much. Make sure you don't have too much air in your tires.

Be advised, the less aggressive your tires are, the poorer they will do in deeper snow. For hard packed icy conditions that occur once snow has melted and refrozen, your best bet is going to be a winter street tire. But if your having problems in deeper slush, your tires probably aren't aggressive enough. The aggressive MTs really bite the snow if the ice layer is not impenetrable.


But then again I live in CA :bigok:

 

[ARCHON]

I'm still sporting the stock rubber(?) that came with the truck Dunlop AT20 GRAND TREKS.

Not impressed with them.

Basically this site/thread points to the problem being the rubber and that's what I'll address.

I'll re-check the tire pressure and see what it reads, I'm presumming it's something in the normal parameter as it was recently serviced.

Thanks for the feedback and the distraction.

I'll be back.


EDITED by ADMIN

 

[magnumfan]

got to be your tires dude

Seriously

I do not have experience with the rubber you have, but my T4R came stock with Brig Dueler H/Ts and they were pretty darn good in snow, I replaced them with Dueler A/Ts with a slightly more aggessive tread (but not much more aggressive) and the other week to get unglued I had to try hard, I managed to spin mine into a snow bank, but I had to try hard.

the ATRAC and VSC in my humble opinion are very sophisticated - give the truck the right rubber and it can solve most problems by itself

Previously I owned a Nissan Patrol 1983, a Nissan Patrol (GQ) 1992 (not sold in the US), a ford exploder93, a chevy tahoe 4x4 98 - and I drove a ton of army 4x4s over the years,all very capable off roaders (especially the german unimog's)

its got to be your rubber/pressure/or similar, its not possible its the 4x system in your truck

just my humble opinion

Joe

 

[morphius909]

There has to be something wrong with the vehicle.

We have an 07 Sport Part Time 4WD, with Michelin X-Ice Tires.

In 2Hi (2wd), we do find it fishtails ALOT.

Stick it in 4HI (4wd) and I can boot around no problem with only the occasion Traction Control active.

The VSC (Stability control) kicks in when the cpu deems necessary, taking into factors like speed, angle, yaw or something like that...I can make it do it on one particular turn in my area almost 100% of the time if I really take a sharp turn, it's fun.

In general 4WD DOES NOT give you better traction in crazy winter conditions. YOu need good winter tires + Common sense driving approach!

 

[Falls]

Yes.

That's what the "1"next to my original post meant .




Are you introducing yourself?



Go figure, I noticed you weren't sitting in my truck while it was sliding and fishtailing in 1 inch of snow(27 degrees) at 10m.p.h..

Probably because of the "NO MORONS" bumpersticker I've got across the back.

I'm not quite sure, nor at all interested in whom it is you think you're commenting to, but rest assured you do not know me and you wouldn't be so quick to mouth off if you did.

That being said, please address all future comments to me as if I were standing but an arm's length from you, not as if you're hiding behind some anonymous computer screen.

Have a nice day tough guy.





Makes 2 of us.
:
I didn't buy another Jeep after 10-years of satisfied ownership & 4wheeling because of the outstanding reviews of the 4Runner.



I'm still sporting the stock rubber(?) that came with the truck Dunlop AT20 GRAND TREKS.

Not impressed with them.

Basically this site/thread points to the problem being the rubber and that's what I'll address.

I'll re-check the tire pressure and see what it reads, I'm presumming it's something in the normal parameter as it was recently serviced.

Thanks for the feedback and the distraction.

I'll be back.

Hilarious post


Welcome to the site .

Any luck or decisions on the fix ?

 

[T?@\7]

it sounds to me like a v6 (NON AWD) 2WD issue........

no matter what tires, in 2wd i think u'd slide.

 

[alaskaman]

what a strange thread and report of a 4WD 4Runner behaving like a Firebird in the snow......I must admit I am perplexed. Since you are still running the Dunlops that is the first change to make. The jury is about even on them, but of those who slide around they are the dunlops. The current threads on tires are a great way to find out more about the tires that rate well in snow. As well Tire Rack's ratings I have found to be quite helpful and accurate.

Now on the other issue of trolling....let's just pretend that never happened and try to figure out why you can't seem to make it like the rest of us yet.......welcome.

 

[simple]

My Michellin Cross Terrains have about 45k on them, as far as I know they've been rotated every 5k from the last owner when I picked it up at 38k, and I did so at 40k. Well, there is still a lot of tread, but nowhere near new anymore, and I though she performed WONDERFUL in a few snowstorms I have driven her in. I have no hesitations taking her up to go snowboarding... There's a whole bunch of good tires people on here recommend, but I'm a big fan of the cross terrains. Too bad they aren't aggressive looking.