Third winter on the original Dunlops

[jpalaska]

When I first got my 4Runner two years ago, I read a lot here about how awful the stock Dunlop tires are. I've had no problems with the Dunlops, but I haven't tried any others to compare them to. They get up and go on all snow and ice conditions, though I'm careful to avoid sudden stops on icy roads.
Since I work out of my home office, I haven't put many miles on them (only 7900).

I'm thinking of eventually replacing them with Nokian WR G2 SUV tires. Have any of you tried these Nokians? I don't want to get designated studded winter tires, otherwise I'd get some studded Hakkapelittas. I had those on my old Volvo wagon and they were excellent.

Any opinions here on the WR G2s?

Thanks,
JP

 

[EEtM33t]

Good to know about the Dunlops. If it ever snows this will be my first winter with snow using the Dunlops and I am not looking forward to it as I know that they will not compare to the Michelin LTX M/S that I had on my previous vehicle...

 

[Scoobs]

I ran the first winter with the Dunlops. The next three winters with Michelin Latitude X-Ice. There was absolutely no comparison, the Michelins were vastly superior in every way in winter driving, not only in braking and steering, but in traction.
Any winter tire, including the HAKs, will be vastly superior to running the Dunlops in the winter.

 

[SlvrRunner]

I was actually looking at the Nokians WR G2 SUV myself couple weeks ago.

I had Nokian WR on my audi TT for winter, and I drove it to the ice hotel in Quebec. Snow storm on the hwy when I came back, my girlfriend was amazed at the amount of traction we have on that little car! I would recommend Nokian for winter tire in a heart beat! I actually drove up a pile of snow/ice with the nokian on my TT.

They do get quite soft in the summer though if you don't change them back into summer tires.

 

[pipspeak]

I had no problems with the Dunlops either... never lost grip on road, quiet, good rolling. Not great on dirt roads, but then they're essentially road tires so no surprise there. Replaced them last winter (worn out) for Pirelli Scorpions, which are also fine on-road and a bit better off road. I feel like my fuel mileage dropped a bit, however, but that's no surprise for a tire with slightly more aggressive tread.

I think some folks exaggerate performance differences in tires. The most notable difference I've ever noticed between tires is noise. Second biggest difference is snow perforemance. But on road and on dirt the differences I've experienced are minor.

 

[alaskaman]

There is no comparison from the Dunlops to the Scorpion ATR the grip and road feel are quite better.........here now in AK, I dont think it matters on roads with ice and snow in town It is slick for any tire without studs..........that going slow is a very good tip for newbs like myself.

 

[jpalaska]

Yes indeed.
Keeping the speed down and several truck lengths between you and the vehicles in front are essential in this town, with so many inept and aggressive drivers on the slippery roads.

Way too many of them don't realize that '4 wheel drive go' doesn't equal '4 wheel drive stop' on roads that are slicker than snot.

Happy Thanksgiving!

JP

 

[pipspeak]

There is no comparison from the Dunlops to the Scorpion ATR the grip and road feel are quite better.........here now in AK, I dont think it matters on roads with ice and snow in town It is slick for any tire without studs..........that going slow is a very good tip for newbs like myself.

How are you finding your Scorpions? I notice tracking is better, noise is just as subdued as the Dunlops, but I've had a few dry-road squeals that were unexpected.

 

[MikesToy]

The next three winters with Michelin Latitude X-Ice. There was absolutely no comparison, the Michelins were vastly superior in every way in winter driving, not only in braking and steering, but in traction.

I agree.

 

[law021982]

The stock Dunlop tires I got from the tuck i bough USED i pretty good for tread wear. When my truck hit 93,000 Km and switched them out. Went offroading a few times with them as well and I was so impressed in the tread ware. However, when I pickedup the truck at 70,00kms.

If you are planning to drive your tires out for another winter, i would use it on 4x4 all time. it can get pretty bad believe me. I hated these tires.

They should really do more imporvemnts for stock tires. I think all cars/trucks/SUVs are all the same, really bad stocks.

 

[alaskaman]

How are you finding your Scorpions? I notice tracking is better, noise is just as subdued as the Dunlops, but I've had a few dry-road squeals that were unexpected.

I like the Scorpions road manners. like a cat on dry and doing well in the winter so far here in anchorage. handle bumps both expected and not well with mimimal roll. like stated on ice they slide with the rest of em however in travelling via the Yukon and not being stupid they were flawless. the flat spotting is a thing of the past. for the money I cant complain.cant really tell about tread life yet.I have about 18K on them now. I would like to try other tires like the Revo and x ice. I may switch them out next winter for either the x ice or nokian both with studs.

 

[charlier180]

There is no comparison from the Dunlops to the Scorpion ATR the grip and road feel are quite better.........here now in AK, I dont think it matters on roads with ice and snow in town It is slick for any tire without studs..........that going slow is a very good tip for newbs like myself.

For me, the same "no comparison" can be said for my Blizzacks versus my Dunlops.
In certain snow driving situations my Dunlops presented steering and braking challenges.
In those same situations, the Blizzaks are FAR Superior due to being more narrow and their snow tread pattern.

The Dunlops are fine for Spring, Summer and Fall but for Winter the Blizzaks are my choice, hands down.

 

[eskimochaos]

I really think the Dunlops are going to do fine. My mom's Land Cruiser with Dunlop Grandtrek AT23 tires does just fine in the snow. We have gone through upwards of 9 inches with absolutely no problem. As long as you dont try to drive like your on pavement...your going to be just fine.

 

[law021982]

I really think the Dunlops are going to do fine. My mom's Land Cruiser with Dunlop Grandtrek AT23 tires does just fine in the snow. We have gone through upwards of 9 inches with absolutely no problem. As long as you dont try to drive like your on pavement...your going to be just fine.

With the snow going to be really bad on Sunday night, I hope you will do just fine.
I replaced the Dunlop AT20s for the Michelins ATX and they're awesome tires. 4x4 is better then just 2x4 in snow but still get much better traction then before.

I just wish it was summer (OFFROADING) HAHA

 

[cmb]

With the sorry tread depth of the stock Dunlops,I'll sure be extra careful when the weather gets slippy this year. Been shopping tires just in case and so far the Goodyear Wrangler AT/S in C load range is in first place. If the rubber compounds are remotely close,I'd rather start off with another 1/4" of tread for the same cost. Had Revos on my Tundra, great tire,wife had 'em on her Pilot first,thats how I was sold on them.She has Michelin LTX-AT-2s on her's now and they're doing fine as well.I'll step up from a P-Metric size to an LT for no other reason than tread depth and weight carrying -towing ease at vacation time.

 

[charlier180]

Just an FYI for those people who are shopping for snow tires.

Be advised that tire manufacturers make all their tires well prior to the winter season.
As a result, when snow tire inventories are sold out that is all there is until the next snow tire season.
I found this out the hard way when I went to purchase the snow tires for my 4Runner and had to wait until the following year.

 

[law021982]

Just an FYI for those people who are shopping for snow tires.

Be advised that tire manufacturers make all their tires well prior to the winter season.
As a result, when snow tire inventories are sold out that is all there is until the next snow tire season.
I found this out the hard way when I went to purchase the snow tires for my 4Runner and had to wait until the following year.

Just an FYI for those of you that live in Canada. I know there are a few laws being passed by having the Winter Tires being put on your vehicles. As of 2 years ago, the Province of Quebec has to have them or a hafty fine would be played.
I think we should try to buy them a year in advance of the season or even in the summer time.

 

[Rover+Runner]

Snow Tires

I've been a long-time reader of this forum (and really appreciate all the good info) and wanted to add my 2 cents about snow tires. I recently downgraded my 18's to 17's and mounted a set of Bridgestone Blizzack DMZ3's 265/65 R17 for the winter.

They handled Chicago's first significant snowfall and ice better than I expected. They were worth every penny, especially on the way to O'hare at 5AM when roads weren't in great shape.

 

[Rowan611]

Had Blizzacks on my 330 and they were great; didn't get stuck once. I just ordered Bridgestone A/T 265/70/17 Revos to replace the Michelin Cross Terrains that came on the Runner when I bought her. I opted for P-metric instead of LT due to the fact I won't be doing any "serious" off roading. However I read that going up in size will affect my speed by 2-3 mph; is that 2-3 mph slower? or faster? Logic tells me faster but I would rather know for sure. Also is there anything I can do to get the speedo right?

Thanks!

 

[Rover+Runner]

Assuming you started with 265/65 R17 and are going to 265/70 R17's your speedometer should register 3.4% slower than stock.

Check my math here at the best tire size calculator I've ever seen on the interwebs:

Tire Size Calculator