Traction control and wet tires

[brockeverly]

I wanted to get some quick info from you guys and get your take on it. Thought I love my Geolander AT-S tires, I have found that after I get my truck washed the traction control will beep at me signaling loss of traction. This is not always with aggressive driving. In example, today it was going from reverse to pulling into a parking spot on dry pavement right after a wash. Gave it a little gas and the beeping started and you could feel the "clicking" in the floor.

I have read about some having issues after some mileage with the Geolanders and wet traction, but up until now have not noticed an issue. If this is happening due to tires just moving around a parking lot, that is a pretty scary thought what could happen at highway speeds, especially with the camper behind me.

My guy at Discount will buy them back from me at full price and swap for something else, but I do not want to get into the same issue with another tire. I currently put around 15-20k a year on my tires, mainly city driving for day to day. We do take a 2k round trip every year with the camper behind us, and also go at least once a month camping and trail riding out in Forest Service land.

Other tire options for me would be Nitto Terra Grapplers (although I do not care for Nitto from previous experiences dealing with them), Goodyear Duratracs, Hankook Dynapro MT RT03, and BFG TA KM/2. Surprisingly I have read reviews of 50k+ on both MT tires listed, I did not expect that. I like the idea of a MT or the Duratracs not only for looks, but also for stability towing and traction offroad.

 

[rickwol]

I'm sure some others here who have the Geolander AT-S will chime in with their experiences but I've noticed you mentioned as another option among other manufacturers Hankook. I'm not sure how much their tire composition differs among their tire lines but I had put a brand new set of all-season Hankook Optimo h 727's on my wife's V6 Camry (has awesome power) and those tires are extremely soft. I thought they would be better for the winter but I cannot believe how quickly they break loose when stepping on the gas and of course traction control kicks in. I'm not talking on wet pavement where they seem to be just "ok" but on dry road. If it were me I would probably exclude the Hankooks on that basis alone.

 

[2011T4RLE]

I've put about 10,000 miles on my Terra Grapplers and they still look as brand new as the day I got them. I have had absolutely no tractions issues, but then again all 4 of my wheels are engaged all the time. I think they are a great AT tire and I will probably buy another set when these finally wear out.

 

[westwind77]

In example, today it was going from reverse to pulling into a parking spot on dry pavement right after a wash. Gave it a little gas and the beeping started and you could feel the "clicking" in the floor.

Are you sure your tires are actually slipping? If you were were rolling backwards and dropped it in D you can 'fool' the HAC to activate because it thinks the car is rolling backwards down hill. It does all the things you described.

I highly doubt you are getting slippage with your tires at all. (who knows, could have been a lot of soap).

I say this because I drive my 4R hard and I only managed to break the tires loose a few times, in the rain, from a stop, basically to the floor. Personally I love that this vehicle stays planted firmly to the ground!

Previously I had a 99' 5.9L Durango, that thing would slip with just a little moisture on the road and barely any gas, there was NO weight in the back of that SUV, especially with the weight of the 5.9L so far forward. Good thing it had a limited slip in back as well, but it was fun to drive. You could pull out of any street and take the corner sideways and she would settle right back out straight.

Again, I would be very surprised if you are actually physically slipping vs just activating your HAC or TRAC system with the manor you are driving. I am assuming all of these issues happen when you are shifting and starting out as well?

 

[STLDAVE]

I wondered the same thing a couple of times. They both happened at the same spot under the same circumstances, backing out of a driveway then heading up a slight grade. After some research and experimentation I came to the same conclusion Westwind77 did, it's the HAC.

 

[JB.]

It sounds like it's what Westwind said.

Regarding wet surfaces, though, they're not created equal. The presence of slightest amount of slick residue can make a big difference. I wouldn't read anything into it.

 

[brockeverly]

Thanks guys. It definitely struck me as odd, now it makes sense. There goes talking the wife into Duratracs :lol:

 

[DEKA3]

Might be a long shot, but since it happens after car washes....do you Armor All your tires?