Snow Tire Help (and general ranting)

[piecesparts]

The disconnect for the wiring on the ABS is an interesting thought. Where is that discussed in depth?

 

[Scramble]

I put a set of studded Hakka LT2's on a couple weeks ago, so far I'm thoroughly impressed. In AWD it honestly feels like driving on dry pavement. I went with 235/85/16 as they are skinnier, yet within a rounding error of the diameter of my summer 265/75/16's. I'll be using them for multiple spares on some adventures this summer.
They weren't cheap, but since I'll be running them ~6 months of the year I decided quality was more important than saving a few bucks.
As for tread life, it is my understanding that the temperature plays a bigger role than whether the roads are dry or snow covered.

Yes, the rubber wears out quicker when the roads get warm. I try to get them off in March or April when I think the last snow storm has hit.

 

[LPcreation]

Guys, thanks so much for all the info/discussion on the tires. I was originally going to go with the General Altimax, but now I'm considering the Blizzaks. I originally wanted a simple, budget friendly snow tire because I'm really confident in my ability to drive in the snow and figured ANY dedicated snow tire would be light years ahead of the General Grabber HTS's I've had on the past 3 winters.

And for the obvious answers regarding my driving, yes, I engage 4WD when the weather dictates it, and I take it easy on the roads. I know how to properly apply a soft brake. There were times last winter I was going 5mph or less, and would BARELY apply brake pressure and next thing I know the ABS are activated and I start going faster. Really scary stuff.

My 4Runner is auto, but I'd engine brake/keep it in 2nd gear a lot of time when I was going 20mph or less because that way the ABS would activate minimally.

I'm 1/2 tempted to keep these tires on for the 1st snowfall and take a video showing how I need to change my underwear while trying to brake going less than 10mph.

I'll update once I get tires and I'll follow up during the winter. I'm assuming it'll be fine because even with the crappy General HTS's with 30k on them, I did ok the 1st 2 years.

Thanks again for the tire recommendations!

 

[theriddler]

Guys, thanks so much for all the info/discussion on the tires. I was originally going to go with the General Altimax, but now I'm considering the Blizzaks. I originally wanted a simple, budget friendly snow tire because I'm really confident in my ability to drive in the snow and figured ANY dedicated snow tire would be light years ahead of the General Grabber HTS's I've had on the past 3 winters.

And for the obvious answers regarding my driving, yes, I engage 4WD when the weather dictates it, and I take it easy on the roads. I know how to properly apply a soft brake. There were times last winter I was going 5mph or less, and would BARELY apply brake pressure and next thing I know the ABS are activated and I start going faster. Really scary stuff.

My 4Runner is auto, but I'd engine brake/keep it in 2nd gear a lot of time when I was going 20mph or less because that way the ABS would activate minimally.

I'm 1/2 tempted to keep these tires on for the 1st snowfall and take a video showing how I need to change my underwear while trying to brake going less than 10mph.

I'll update once I get tires and I'll follow up during the winter. I'm assuming it'll be fine because even with the crappy General HTS's with 30k on them, I did ok the 1st 2 years.

Thanks again for the tire recommendations!

I like your idea, I think a before and after youtube video in in order for your experiment, do a video in a parking lot somewhere on a snowy/icy day with your current tires then swap on your new ones and record/post the results. Would be a pain in the butt but would be cool for everyone to watch.

 

[slides]

Blizzaks all the way, drove through a blizzard in Montana in my 330ci BMW which was lowered and didn't have an issue. Was pretty scary though!

 

[Rock_Rat]

Snow is fun with the right tires!!

Here in the PNW you don't really need a dedicated snow tire, but you sure do need a good tire for wet road conditions. So many times I've seen the roads littered with 4WD's in the winter just because they don't respect mother nature. they don't salt and sand out here like other states.

For the most part, I run Goodyear Forteras (Not available in a 265/70/16 anymore), 4WD H/L, and drive like there's an egg under your gas pedal and you don't have any brakes. Chain up when the roads get sketchy. Many a time I have pulled over just to put chains on. I've never had a problem with the ABS or TRAC system (knock on wood). Only recently when the knock sensor wire broke and sent my rig into limp mode. I think I'lll stick to the Goodyears for the roads. I've been getting around 60 - 70K out of them.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/membe...nter-2008-goodyear-forteras-chains-4wd-h.html

 

[02SE]

I've never had any problems with the ABS on my '97. Snow, ice, whatever. I think it works just fine.

One of the most common things I've seen is brake system neglect, which causes problems. Which are then blamed on the ABS system, etc.

Most cars on the road never have the brake fluid flushed. So as the brake fluid gradually becomes contaminated, the brake system becomes less effective, and if enough water is absorbed, parts can corrode and cease to work properly.

My advice is flush the brake fluid every three years or as needed.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I've never had any problems with the ABS on my '97. Snow, ice, whatever. I think it works just fine.



One of the most common things I've seen is brake system neglect, which causes problems. Which are then blamed on the ABS system, etc.



Most cars on the road never have the brake fluid flushed. So as the brake fluid gradually becomes contaminated, the brake system becomes less effective, and if enough water is absorbed, parts can corrode and cease to work properly.



My advice is flush the brake fluid every three years or as needed.

Yepper doodle. One of the first things I do is purge all the black nasty brake fluid. Lately I've been using the synthetic Valvoline DOT 3-4 fluid.

 

[hawkcharmer]

Nelson,
I would like to disable the ABS for winter.. Can you please tell me what toyota switch to buy and a possible link to the wiring diagram. I have no e-locker. Much appreciated!

I hear you, I grew up in CO and have experience in the snow, and have found the 4runner at times to be worse than my old front wheel drive pontiac grand am. Tires definitely make a big difference, but disabling the ABS also makes a big difference. I find it kicking in on wet when it isn't necessary, on gravel, dirt roads, all kids of places and situations where it really isn't needed. It sometimes kicks in on dry pavement during tight turning like pulling into a parking lot.

My theory is that Toyota basically went cheap on the 4runner ABS and doesn't really have an algorithm for when to set off the ABS or to which wheels to set it off. So basically as far as I can tell, if any 1 wheel slips, ABS kicks in on all 4 wheels. Modern traction control and ABS individually brake each wheel and decide on a braking strategy based on which/how many wheels are slipping.

I disabled my ABS using the (IIRC) grey wire method, taking advantage of my e-locker ECU. If you have an e-locker, then I highly recommend this mod. You can buy a $10 toyota switch that will look 100% stock, install it in about 10 minutes, and you have on-the-fly ABS disable. If you don't have the e-locker, then I still highly recommend wiring in a switch to disable it when needed. Come winter, I will leave ABS off entirely

 

[LPcreation]

Just a quick follow up. I got the new Discoverer's and have had no problems since. No slippage or concerns about stopping.

Thanks everyone.

 

[KANO]

I have the Cooper Discovery LSX Plus in the stock size (16").

Albeit not the most aggressive looking tire, it has done surprisingly well in the Chicagoland winter so far. The stopping grip is impressive but you can easily get them to spin in RWD mode. In AWD mode I can hardly get them to break loose. Also, in RWD mode they will fling fairly large chunks from the front tires so they definitely channel well.

These tires were practically brand new (600 miles) when I bought the truck and I was going to see how they held up in the snow before I decide to fork over lots of $$$ for a more aggressive AT or MT tire.... unfortunatelty, I have no reason to ditch them lol

 

[piecesparts]

I just put four Yokohama Geolander A/T-S, 265/70/16 tires on my 97 4Runner. It used to have a full set of Michelins, but it was getting time for them to go to the dump. I drive a lot of paved roads to and from work and we have not the deepest snow in th eowrld, but it is wet and sticky when it comes. I have not really had a lot of snow, to test the geolanders on my Toyota, but my GMC pickup has a set on it and they do really well for a two-wheel drive truck rear tire. Th eprice mounted an d balanced for a decent tire was at $140.00 each. These tires are not overly noisy on the highway, either.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...e=yes&ef_id=UoouIwAABagS3BEm:20150112221251:s

 

[piecesparts]

Nelson,
I would like to disable the ABS for winter.. Can you please tell me what toyota switch to buy and a possible link to the wiring diagram. I have no e-locker. Much appreciated!

I would also be interested in any input as to if this will work on a Toy that does not have an E-Locker and where the diagram is for the mod.

 

[kevin8629]

I would also be interested in any input as to if this will work on a Toy that does not have an E-Locker and where the diagram is for the mod.

Doing this tomorrow. Bought a Toyota fog light switch off eBay for 15.00

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/102406-abs-vsc-trac-disable-master-thread.html

 

[piecesparts]

So, If I read the attached forum post right, all you are really doing is connecting a switched ground wire to the "Yellow/Blue" wire on the E-Locker plug. This is all that is needed to disable the ABS function for the really bad snow days.

 

[kevin8629]

So, If I read the attached forum post right, all you are really doing is connecting a switched ground wire to the "Yellow/Blue" wire on the E-Locker plug. This is all that is needed to disable the ABS function for the really bad snow days.

I think your right. For me I am connecting the switch to the red wire coming off the master cylinder to disable abs, vsc, and trac