I put a set on Continental Extreme Winter Contacts on my 4R last year and they proved to be a good match with the vehicle. We saw everything--and lots of everything--in Regina and area last year. The tires are very good on ice and amazing in deep snow. I was very surprised by how well I was able to power through deep drifts. Their weakness is slushy wet snow in my view. I gave the Bridgestone's pretty serious consideration as well. My concern with the Contis, as well as others that aren't sold in large numbers, is finding a replacement should one get wrecked. I had an issue with some Kumhos a few years back on another vehicle when I couldn't get a replacement in the right size. 3 tires are about as useless as one can get! I had to buy a whole set, alas.
Which Winter Tires Are You Going To Run?
- Thread starter AirspeedX
- Start date
After getting studs and seeing the performance they have on ice, I'll never go studless again.
Sorry I made an error in the naming. I actually have the Nokian LT2, studded.
I think some folks who have never had studs will caution that on dry it doesn't perform well or it's noisy or it's dangerous for drivers behind you if a stud comes out (I've heard or read it all). Even if all those were true, the ice performance of a stud is better than studless and the tread pattern can handle deep snow well. So really, when you actually need the better performance, it works better. You know that highway between Peace and Valleyview? The one that is notorious for insane snow drifts, ice forming in the pavement ruts, etc? I remember last year it was right at that temp where it was all slush and we were in 4HI going maybe 50km/h for awhile because the slush had piled up so high there was no way to pass safely. But I tested my luck (the 4R and tires) and it handled it beautifully. I'm almost a little worried because the confidence I get from those tires and 4HI is staggering.
I was actually on the phone for awhile with a rep at Nokian because I was having a hard time deciding between the Hakk 7 and LT2. I ended up with an E-load LT2 because it's a more robust tire and performed nearly as well. I needed the extra durability because of the really shitty roads I drive through for work and the chance of a puncture was therefore reduced. The rep on the phone said the Hakk 7 is the best performing SUV/Truck tire that they make. It performs a bit better in all aspects than the LT2 but I recall him mentioning better in slush a couple times (this phone convo was a year ago after all!). If you don't need 10-ply, opt for the Hakk 7 studded and don't look back (**** I should be working for Nokian here).
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You can also order tires online from Costco and have them shipped to your local store for installation.
homeyclaus
New member
Centre caps capture salt and water, so leaving them off in the winter is actually a good thing.
On my car I run dedicated lightweight summer wheels and use the aluminum wheels for winter. I mulled over doing that for the 4Runner, but in northern VA all-terrains do fine in all but the worst weather. Not sure what I'll be getting for the Tundra, most probably Nokian Rotiiva ATs or something.
Some people (and that's most Europeans) just get their shop to change the tires when they do their fall service, and switch back for spring.
thanks msommers
I'll go with the studs then, I've had a little change of plan as we have an 2002 pathfinder that I was going to sell for a couple of grand as it pretty rough but I've decided to run it into the ground instead doing the winter commute, so it looks like I will end up buying 2 sets of the nokians:Cry:
I'll go with the studs then, I've had a little change of plan as we have an 2002 pathfinder that I was going to sell for a couple of grand as it pretty rough but I've decided to run it into the ground instead doing the winter commute, so it looks like I will end up buying 2 sets of the nokians:Cry:
I got the final tally from PMC tires... Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV Studded 265/70-17
PMCtire - Le Leader du Pneu au Québec The shipping cost would be ~27 $, as those tires are quite large. Your order should be CA$1,194.32, tax and shipping included. We can take your order over the phone. Just call our Service Center at 1-888-640-7638. Thanks for inquiring.
PMCtire - Le Leader du Pneu au Québec The shipping cost would be ~27 $, as those tires are quite large. Your order should be CA$1,194.32, tax and shipping included. We can take your order over the phone. Just call our Service Center at 1-888-640-7638. Thanks for inquiring.
JayceeP
New member
I ended up buying some lightly used 265/70R17 Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2's force balanced on steelies and hubcaps included that came off a 2011 Limited. Tread was only at 9/32 from an initial tread depth of 11/32 as per manufacturer. I really wanted to get some new DM-V1's but with new rims I would have been $1400 or more. Going the lightly used route saved me $500 or $600.
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Jono.ful
New member
try costco, I've heard reports they're the cheapest at $30-40 or so
FrontRange4Runner
New member
I've run lots of Blizzaks and Conti Winter Contacts in the past, and cant remember any that did not significantly increase grip in winter conditions. That said, we had Hankook Ipike w409 studded on my gf's Accord and they did awesome as well. I know they were a bit less expensive and used to have them in 4Runner sizes. Its pretty amazing what even a cheaper winter tire can do in slippery situations, not to mention the top rated ones 
1engineer
Moderator
You are correct. Down here in the southern end of the snow belt we have to approach things a bit differently. While you guys up north can have snow and ice that lasts months on the ground, we have a deep snow that lasts for a week, melts and we have just dry or wet roads for a few weeks. We then get another snow, etc. Winter tires are great in snow and ice but on dry road they tend to wear a lot quicker due to their compound. I did the winter tire route awhile back and they were too worn to use through two seasons. AT tires work well here for the type of snow and duration of time that it lasts. It is unusual to get a lot of ice here, but it usually happens once a winter. The big thing here is a lot of wet, slushy snow, which is quite different than that nice dry powder they get in Utah and Colorado. In reality it really depends on which region (West, North, Mid-Atlantic or Southeast) as to what setup will work the absolute best.
It's not unusual here to get several inches of snow and later that week for the temp to be back in the 60's and have dry roads.
8MoreMiles
New member
Blizzaks
Through the last three winters in southern Germany I ran Bridgestone Blizzaks as a dedicated winter tire and I was very happy with their performance. Bavaria is not known for its upkeep of the road network during winter storms.
I bought a set of Blizzaks for the 4R for my last season there with the expectations that I would have another two years at that location. Now I live in south Georgia and they won't do me too much good. They've got about 5000 miles on them and I'll probably make them available on here.
Through the last three winters in southern Germany I ran Bridgestone Blizzaks as a dedicated winter tire and I was very happy with their performance. Bavaria is not known for its upkeep of the road network during winter storms.
I bought a set of Blizzaks for the 4R for my last season there with the expectations that I would have another two years at that location. Now I live in south Georgia and they won't do me too much good. They've got about 5000 miles on them and I'll probably make them available on here.
rn_trauma903
New member
Seriously, how ignorant can you be? I'm a female driver, AND a trauma nurse, and if you want to see bad drivers, visit my trauma room any day of the week. The male drivers in MVC's (motor vehicle crashes) FAR exceed the females. I agree with the previous nomination for most ignorant comment...
NoDak
Senior Member
well i agree to some degree that in all the years i have been here (since 1988) and i have never used dedicated snow tires or studded.
granted i adjust to the road conditions. if the road sounds funny or looks funny (black ice probably), blizzard conditions, howling wind, icy roads, snow covered deeply, etc.
i slow down.
my 15 mile drive to work/town has taken me anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hrs due to the road/weather conditions. slow down and take your time saves you 99% of the time.
its all a matter of being aware of the vehicle and not trying to think your 4wd will save your butt from stupidity. it wont, it just makes it worse and cost more than the person driving the car.
the worse incident i had was a spring were my front wheels got into some heavy slush and dragged me into the ditch. instead of sticking 1/2 way out into the road, i said screw it and just drove all the way into the ditch and came back later with the warden's tacoma to pull it out into the field and drive out instead of fighting with the ditch.
granted i adjust to the road conditions. if the road sounds funny or looks funny (black ice probably), blizzard conditions, howling wind, icy roads, snow covered deeply, etc.
i slow down.
my 15 mile drive to work/town has taken me anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hrs due to the road/weather conditions. slow down and take your time saves you 99% of the time.
its all a matter of being aware of the vehicle and not trying to think your 4wd will save your butt from stupidity. it wont, it just makes it worse and cost more than the person driving the car.
the worse incident i had was a spring were my front wheels got into some heavy slush and dragged me into the ditch. instead of sticking 1/2 way out into the road, i said screw it and just drove all the way into the ditch and came back later with the warden's tacoma to pull it out into the field and drive out instead of fighting with the ditch.
Lolrax
New member
You think you are controlling nature and physics through your actions, and there is a chance that one day something will happen that will make you realize that you haven't been controlling anything and that you've just been lucky.
All you have done is get in the way and risk others lives by driving so slowly with an ill equipped vehicle.
This takes away from the responsible tone of my warning but I will say it anyway. When it has snowed, or even I am in snow-packed road situations I can (doesn't mean I always do) floor it all day and drive regular speed limits and do things that people with regular tires would think are impossible/insane. Snow days are my absolute favorite.
Try a set of snow tires, and I guarantee you will never go back to life and death-ing it in winter ever again.
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FrontRange4Runner
New member
This + snow tires = win
NoDak
Senior Member
yeah right, when its blizzard conditions and white out and you cant see 2 car lengths in front of your hood you go right ahead and keep going. or that snow plow thats in front creating a 1/4 snow fog behind it when it hits a big finger drift, you should know better being up in CA, you get the same weather conditions i get in ND.
heck i have even been driving down the road and the wind is so bad on the snow/ice covered road, it pushes you right into the shoulder even doing 25 mph.
and yes i have done 70 on that same stretch of road covered in snow.
it all comes down to, drive for the conditions regardless of your tires/vehicle. just cause you can go above everyone else's threshold dont mean squat when you have to deal with everyone else's threshold.
Whistler RKT
New member
I've lived in Whistler for over 20 winters now, (with a couple of winters in Northern Saskatchewan) and I've tried a bunch of different tires on a bunch of different rides, in all sorts of deep snow, compact snow, ice, slop, you name it, so here goes:
Northern Saskatchewan = 5-6 months of compact snow/ice = only time I ran studded tires, Haka's on a VW Golf TDI. Never stuck! Never ditched. Freakin' awesome traction!
I ran BFG All-Terrain TA's on my Tacoma and 5th Gen 4Runner for multiple winters and they were fine. If you know how to drive in snow and you've spent a lot of time in 4-Hi, they're fine. (Note the word "fine", not great.) Compared to the Michelin X-Ice's though, they are super greasy!
I've run a couple different types of dedicated winters on my AWD CRV, Nokian WRG2's and Michelin X-Ice2's, and they were both great!
I ran the WRG2's on a Honda Pilot one winter and they were great at first, but they dissolved super fast, well before their 60,000km tread warranty. Wouldn't run WRG2's again on an SUV.
I ran Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI2's on a Yukon XL Denali last winter and they were awesome too! Expensive, but awesome!
And now I get to try a brand new brand (to me) this winter as my '99 SR5 Resurrection-Runner (which I will be resurrecting this October) comes with a brand new set of Wild Country Radials on it (285/75/R16). They wouldn't be my first choice I don't think for a winter tire, but like the BFG's, they'll probably be fine and save me having to spend and store a second set of tread.
Will keep you posted...
Northern Saskatchewan = 5-6 months of compact snow/ice = only time I ran studded tires, Haka's on a VW Golf TDI. Never stuck! Never ditched. Freakin' awesome traction!
I ran BFG All-Terrain TA's on my Tacoma and 5th Gen 4Runner for multiple winters and they were fine. If you know how to drive in snow and you've spent a lot of time in 4-Hi, they're fine. (Note the word "fine", not great.) Compared to the Michelin X-Ice's though, they are super greasy!
I've run a couple different types of dedicated winters on my AWD CRV, Nokian WRG2's and Michelin X-Ice2's, and they were both great!
I ran the WRG2's on a Honda Pilot one winter and they were great at first, but they dissolved super fast, well before their 60,000km tread warranty. Wouldn't run WRG2's again on an SUV.
I ran Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI2's on a Yukon XL Denali last winter and they were awesome too! Expensive, but awesome!
And now I get to try a brand new brand (to me) this winter as my '99 SR5 Resurrection-Runner (which I will be resurrecting this October) comes with a brand new set of Wild Country Radials on it (285/75/R16). They wouldn't be my first choice I don't think for a winter tire, but like the BFG's, they'll probably be fine and save me having to spend and store a second set of tread.
Will keep you posted...
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