Stock tires on snowpack.

[JB.]

......on the 4Runner I plan to swap back to the OEM tires in the summer, so I think I'll go for something cheaper in a winter tire. I'm looking for a snow tire that won't wear quickly on dry pavement.

If you're switching back to OEM for summer, dedicated winters are a no brainer.

As for price, looking at last year's Consumer Reports tire tests, it appears Continental ExtremeWinterContact and then General Altimax Artic can't be touched for performance/price ratio.

Even though tread wear and winter performance are nearly diametrically opposed properties, I'd guess the Michelins would last the longest but you'll pay up for them, of course.

 

[Hellamatic]

Don't cheap out on tires. Those 4 tiny contact patches are the only thing keeping your vehicle on the road. Bite the bullet and get a set of quality tires. Ideally, you want to buy a dedicated summer set and real winter tires for the winter. There's an old saying that "all season tires" should be called "no season tires."

 

[Reino]

Trust me, if the 4Runner was my dedicated off-roader, I'd get the Duratecs, but I can't justify such an aggressive tread for 90% city driving. I'm looking for something in more of a 'street tread' with a winter rating.

I've heard Blizzaks wear quickly. I've heard good things about Continental Winter X-Ice.

The best price I found is Arctic-Claw Winter XS-I for $134 each. I know "don't go cheap", but... I am cheap. The truck will only be wearing these for four months, and I'm not worried about her driving in city snowstorms at all, I just want a little extra grip for the 1% of time things get really hairy up in the mountains (where I am usually driving). What do you think?

We Front-rangers face the most difficult tire condundrum that very few other people in the country do. Most of our winter driving is done on dry roads with an average temperature of 50 degrees. However, every weekend we're battling mountain snow at high speeds in either hardpack or mag-chloride slush. This is why most of us run all-weather tires. However, I'd just feel more confident in the mountains with a winter tire.

 

[philsey]

.... How do the Blizzaks wear?

* The soft compound that makes for a good winter tire will not wear as well for ANY winter tire. A winter tire should only be run in the winter - 3 months for me - I expect to use these for several years.

Also, do you keep the snows on a second set of rims or pay to have them remounted twice a year?

* Another set of rims, without TPMS, ignoring the light. (Although I should say that, for the wife's CRV her winter tires/wheels do have TPMSs, as I didn't want to hear about the light)

If you're switching back to OEM for summer, dedicated winters are a no brainer.

* This.

As for price, looking at last year's Consumer Reports tire tests, it appears Continental ExtremeWinterContact and then General Altimax Artic can't be touched for performance/price ratio.

* True, I saw this too.

Even though tread wear and winter performance are nearly diametrically opposed properties.

* This.

Don't cheap out on tires. Those 4 tiny contact patches are the only thing keeping your vehicle on the road. Bite the bullet and get a set of quality tires. Ideally, you want to buy a dedicated summer set and real winter tires for the winter. There's an old saying that "all season tires" should be called "no season tires."

Exactly. Especially on wifey's car. More especially if you'll use it for winter sports. It would seem a win-win to me.

 

[DannyLlama]

You bought a 40K vehicle without looking at the tires?

That made me laugh in room full of people.
How do you like your new ride so far? Have you swapped out the tires for the AT3?

I changed out my stock tires for some Cooper Discoverer AT3's. I am extremely satisfied with them. Just hit 5,000 with them and no problems. Was finally able to take it in the snow yesterday, deep snow and they performed better than I expected. They are one of the more popular choices for the 4runner.

X2 for A/T 3's.. Love them :trophy:

 

[Reino]

* Another set of rims, without TPMS, ignoring the light. (Although I should say that, for the wife's CRV her winter tires/wheels do have TPMSs, as I didn't want to hear about the light)

She has enough PMS going on each month, I don't need her to have it in the truck.:tongue:

 

[Reino]

That made me laugh in room full of people.
How do you like your new ride so far? Have you swapped out the tires for the AT3?




X2 for A/T 3's.. Love them :trophy:

Wow those look like BFGs or Duratracs at half the cost! What do you like about them?

 

[DannyLlama]

Wow those look like BFGs or Duratracs at half the cost! What do you like about them?

I like them because:

• They look aggressive enough
• Not noisy, yet. I have close to 5k miles on them
• They have performed well off road.
• They have great on road mannerism
• Cooper has a good name in the industry
• They were well rated by consumer reports
• Great deal at discount tire direct

More info from your friendly neighborhood engineer

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/114342-tires-2.html

 

[1engineer]

I like them because:

• They look aggressive enough
• Not noisy, yet. I have close to 5k miles on them
• They have performed well off road.
• They have great on road mannerism
• Cooper has a good name in the industry
• They were well rated by consumer reports
• Great deal at discount tire direct

More info from your friendly neighborhood engineer

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/114342-tires-2.html

I really liked those tires and had 30K or so on them when I traded for my TE. I will run stock for awhile and again get the Coopers. As I said the LTX are a really good road tire but I go off road some for both work and play.

 

[fxoffroad]

I'm a big fan of the BFG All-Terrains - had them on my F250.

Just threw some Nitto Terra Grapplers on my Limited - excellent performers. Quiet, feel more planted and the ride is significantly better.

Drove back down from Breck late this afternoon. Felt very confident and secure.

Nittos were about 900 @ Discount Tires on Colo Blvd. Well worth it. Wish I would have gotten them on day 1.

Good luck - wish I was going over to Telluride.

 

[Reino]

I'm a big fan of the BFG All-Terrains - had them on my F250.

Just threw some Nitto Terra Grapplers on my Limited - excellent performers. Quiet, feel more planted and the ride is significantly better.

Drove back down from Breck late this afternoon. Felt very confident and secure.

Nittos were about 900 @ Discount Tires on Colo Blvd. Well worth it. Wish I would have gotten them on day 1.

Good luck - wish I was going over to Telluride.

Thanks bud! Yes we are stoked to get away for the holidays, just us and the dogs...and the 4Runner!

I rock BFGs on my F250 because I run them year-round and don't put more than 4,000 miles a year on it. The whole purchase was over $1,200 so I plan to make them last many, many years. Plus, the longer wheelbase of the truck makes an all-terrain tire pretty confident in snow.

For the short wheelbase in the 4Runner, and since I will be swapping back to the OEMs in the spring, I'm going to go with a less expensive, dedicated snow tire.

 

[tamerunner]

Good luck - wish I was going over to Telluride.[/QUOTE]

For the record I hate all you guys that live close enough to drive to these places. I want to be there. I just have east coast crap. :gun5:

 

[Reino]

I pulled the trigger on a set of Arctic Claws. At $135 each that can't be beat. They may not have the full snow capabilities of Blizzak, but they will wear much slower.

She still doesn't understand why she 'needs' these. She claims she always drove her Saturn in summer tires. I tried to explain the difference between stopping a 2,000 pound car and a 5,000 pound truck, but got a blank stare. We'll have to drive through the storm of the century this weekend just to prove it to her. Women...:wtf: