Winter driving observations from a first-time 4Runner owner

[LandCruiser]

I used Nokian Rotiivas. Blizzaks work fine, too.

The stock tires and any real off road tires can be sketchy on icy roads.

 

[Roverguy1]

Coming from 17 years of Land Rover ownership with full-time 4WD, getting used to a 2WD truck in the snow is taking some re-learning. I installed Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S tires in early November and so far, they seem very good in the snow. While the back end has slid out on me a couple of times in snowy conditions in 2WD (I was giving it a bit more gas than necessary), there appears to be no sliding and a solid stop on snowy roads. Last Sunday we had a pretty good storm here in the Toronto Area and I had an hour drive through snow, freezing rain and ice pellets on secondary and back roads that went from slush to clear pavement. The truck was in 4Hi and I felt pretty much in control.

 

[FormFunction]

Studded winter tires are always ideal but the nitto terra grapplers that come with the trd pro are pretty good in snowy, slushy and icy conditions. I'm in the northern part of Ontario, so we get serious winters here.

That is great to hear. There are a lot of opinions about this topic.

I drive where it is warmer down in the valleys and you only get snow in the mountains, but there are hills and slope, so stopping is an issue.

The problem is when going to a dedicated snow tire, all the driving in the valleys is pretty awful, especially when a warm spell comes on.

I have a Golf R for most ski trips, with performance winters, that are not as bad in the valleys, but some trips I will need the 4runner for the extra space.

I have trips planned to Tahoe, MT. Bachelor and MT Ashland. I am hoping the 4 runner could handle it on the stock Terra Grapplers that came on my TRD Pro? Can it do it, or should I get Blizzaks?

 

[Veinz]

I have trips planned to Tahoe, MT. Bachelor and MT Ashland. I am hoping the 4 runner could handle it on the stock Terra Grapplers that came on my TRD Pro? Can it do it, or should I get Blizzaks?

I think the grapplers will do fine, so if I were you I wouldn’t bother with winter tires. Then again I have no idea what the roads are like there!

We have quite a bit of snow here already and I’m not worried about needing winter tires at all. I just keep it in 4 high and drive a little slower. I have zero issues with traction.

I havent tried them in really bad freezing rain yet, I will get my opportunity around march. I imagine they will be ok but those are shit conditions for any type of tire really, I would rather just stay off the roads.

 

[spartacus]

Been driving around the colorado front range in icy snowy conditions for the last ten days or so. I've noticed that all wheel drive and 4 wheel vehicles even front wheel drive tend to do fine on level or slight incline with almost any type of tire but when the incline or decline increases the advantage goes to snow tires, then all terrains with the snow symbol for sure. Street tires on most modern suv's just don't cut it in these conditions

 

[cb1111]

Coming from 17 years of Land Rover ownership with full-time 4WD, getting used to a 2WD truck in the snow is taking some re-learning. I installed Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S tires in early November and so far, they seem very good in the snow. While the back end has slid out on me a couple of times in snowy conditions in 2WD (I was giving it a bit more gas than necessary), there appears to be no sliding and a solid stop on snowy roads. Last Sunday we had a pretty good storm here in the Toronto Area and I had an hour drive through snow, freezing rain and ice pellets on secondary and back roads that went from slush to clear pavement. The truck was in 4Hi and I felt pretty much in control.

The number of driven wheels make no difference when braking, so your experiences are correct.

 

[osideplayer]

I drove both this storm and I feel that my 3rd Gen handles the snow and ice real well in fact better, mainly because of the geolander AT tires.The 5th gen is good but seems a little loose because of the stock tires but the 3rd Gen seems more entuned to the snow it's got a lot of practice in the last 2 decades.

I took the tires and wheels off my 3rd gen before selling it and installed them on my 5th gen. There is no question- The 5th gen holds its ground 2x better in rain and snow.

 

[spartacus]

I took the tires and wheels off my 3rd gen before selling it and installed them on my 5th gen. There is no question- The 5th gen holds its ground 2x better in rain and snow.

That might be true for you but if you read this thread you will see a clear majority seem to think otherwise.

 

[osideplayer]

Tires, Tires, Tires.....That said, the 4 Runner is not a good winter driving vehicle in my opinion. It is good for big storms and short distance. But I would go with a dedicated AWD with snows if you drive long distance in the winter. My 4Runner sucks in the snow compared to my Tesla, My past Range Rover and my wife's Q7. If you are not in 4WD, you are in a rear wheel drive with a relatively light ass end and crap tires for ice and snow. I ran BFG KO2s but I now run my 4runner with studded Nokians because it was so bad in the winter. Its great in the deep snow, but anything less than 5" my other cars are night and day better, and safer in my opinion. My company car is a Tesla p100d. It weighs 700lbs more than the 4runner, is a perfect 50/50 weight distribution and is AWD with a motor sitting over each axle. It handles ice and slush fantastically..and the heated windshield wipers are a treat.

Get yourself a good set of winter tires and you will be fine using a little common sense. Cant defy physics. The stopping power will be about your grip on the road. I grew up in Maine on a lake. We raced snow sleds and cars on the lake every winter. I now drive almost weekly from Boston area to Maine, Vermont and upstate NY to visit some of my business settings. I pass more idiots in trucks with AT tires and doing 60 in a storm. Most have just been lucky enough not to have an issue. However, Ive winched out 1/2 a dozen pickups and SUVs with my 4Runner...overconfident folks mostly..

I’d argue 60 mph during a storm is reckless. I stick to 55mph

 

[osideplayer]

Coming from 17 years of Land Rover ownership with full-time 4WD, getting used to a 2WD truck in the snow is taking some re-learning. I installed Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S tires in early November and so far, they seem very good in the snow. While the back end has slid out on me a couple of times in snowy conditions in 2WD (I was giving it a bit more gas than necessary), there appears to be no sliding and a solid stop on snowy roads. Last Sunday we had a pretty good storm here in the Toronto Area and I had an hour drive through snow, freezing rain and ice pellets on secondary and back roads that went from slush to clear pavement. The truck was in 4Hi and I felt pretty much in control.

I was going to actually say.... I have the Cooper Discovery AT3 265/70/17 on trd pro wheels. They are amazing tires in the snow and dirt. I’ve seen AWD vehicles slide out before me.

To everyone on this thread concerned about tires. Give these a go.

 

[spartacus]

I was going to actually say.... I have the Cooper Discovery AT3 265/70/17 on trd pro wheels. They are amazing tires in the snow and dirt. I’ve seen AWD vehicles slide out before me.

To everyone on this thread concerned about tires. Give these a go.

Cooper at3 or Othe mud terrain tires are good in deep snow but slushy icy wet conditions they are pretty bad. I don't think you've really experienced driving in real snow and ice compared to the rocky mountains or the midwest.

 

[ForRun]

I’d argue 60 mph during a storm is reckless. I stick to 55mph

I agree 100% I'm the guy on the right doing 45..old guy here.
Idiots in Chicago fly by doing 75- 80. Fun as heck to watch them fish tail and slow down. Im also glad there's a shitload of people to stop and help them when they fly off the road. I refuse to because I would have to explain what stupid means

 

[Roverguy1]

Cooper at3 or Othe mud terrain tires are good in deep snow but slushy icy wet conditions they are pretty bad. I don't think you've really experienced driving in real snow and ice compared to the rocky mountains or the midwest.

The "4S" version of the Cooper AT3's have some winter tire technology built in including snow grooves and zigzag sipes which seem to help in the snow. That said, in slushy conditions, just slow down. Once the slush grabs you at a higher speed, you're going where it wants to lead regardless of the tire.

 

[stephan07]

I’d argue 60 mph during a storm is reckless. I stick to 55mph

Correct. That should have read “more idiots passing ME” driving 60 in a storm. My point was intended to mean they think because they are in a truck and have 4WD they can drive fast. Again. It’s all about grip and tires.