Winter driving observations from a first-time 4Runner owner

[NW.OH.T4R]

Preparing for my first winter in the 4R, or really any high CoG vehicle. I have tempered my expectations with the understanding that this will not be like driving my A/S4's with dedicated winter tires or even my wife's Forester with Geolanders.
I think the first realization of the 4R limitations I had was sub 40F and wet (maybe light rain), and I had a car drift into my lane around a low speed fork in the road. As soon as I touched the brakes the ABS engaged but I still slid a little toward the center of the fork. This was at a starting speed of about 20mph. I was quite surprised in both the overall stability and how poorly the Nitto TerraGrapplers handled the conditions.

 

[TrailHeadWorthy]

Preparing for my first winter in the 4R, or really any high CoG vehicle. I have tempered my expectations with the understanding that this will not be like driving my A/S4's with dedicated winter tires or even my wife's Forester with Geolanders.
I think the first realization of the 4R limitations I had was sub 40F and wet (maybe light rain), and I had a car drift into my lane around a low speed fork in the road. As soon as I touched the brakes the ABS engaged but I still slid a little toward the center of the fork. This was at a starting speed of about 20mph. I was quite surprised in both the overall stability and how poorly the Nitto TerraGrapplers handled the conditions.

Good to hear you acknowledge the 4Runner limits and high CoG.

After pondering the forums about people's experience and my own experience in a 5th Gen it seems the 4Runner can be very slidy and the ABS is very quick to engage. I feel the tires have no weight over them and do not stick to the ground making the 4Runner very floaty feeling.

I have been very disappointed how the 4Runner handles in the rain and winter conditions!

 

[Grug556]

Good to hear you acknowledge the 4Runner limits and high CoG.

After pondering the forums about people's experience and my own experience in a 5th Gen it seems the 4Runner can be very slidy and the ABS is very quick to engage. I feel the tires have no weight over them and do not stick to the ground making the 4Runner very floaty feeling.

I have been very disappointed how the 4Runner handles in the rain and winter conditions!

Thats why the limited is superior for all bad weather. I do agree with the premature abs kick in.

 

[stephan07]

Preparing for my first winter in the 4R, or really any high CoG vehicle. I have tempered my expectations with the understanding that this will not be like driving my A/S4's with dedicated winter tires or even my wife's Forester with Geolanders.
I think the first realization of the 4R limitations I had was sub 40F and wet (maybe light rain), and I had a car drift into my lane around a low speed fork in the road. As soon as I touched the brakes the ABS engaged but I still slid a little toward the center of the fork. This was at a starting speed of about 20mph. I was quite surprised in both the overall stability and how poorly the Nitto TerraGrapplers handled the conditions.

I swear my S4 and then my RS4 were the best handling most confidence inspiring cars I ever drove in the winter. Both Manuals and dedicated winters.....

The 4Runner ABS is awful.

I love my 4 Runner for what it is though, and its loads of fun on the beach, and on the trails. I've done all the work myself which has been fun too. I would not however purchase this vehicle for my wife or one of my kids because of its road handling and poor foul condition performance.

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

I swear my S4 and then my RS4 were the best handling most confidence inspiring cars I ever drove in the winter. Both Manuals and dedicated winters.....

The 4Runner ABS is awful.

I love my 4 Runner for what it is though, and its loads of fun on the beach, and on the trails. I've done all the work myself which has been fun too. I would not however purchase this vehicle for my wife or one of my kids because of its road handling and poor foul condition performance.

Also, the B7 RS4 is the best looking Audi in my biased opinion. Agree with the confidence the Quattro system creates, too. Once I get passed the rear-facing car seat phase, I'll have another Audi in the garage.

My wife and I will be traveling at the end of the year to see my parents for the holidays and we are absolutely taking her Forester over the 4R. I-80 from Ohio to PA gets random snow squalls all winter season. I'm not in any way confident enough in the 4R to pack my wife and 14-month old in for that trip.

 

[4Rman]

No love, understandably!!!

I am on my third 4runner so speaking from experience. The 4th gen with full-time 4WD was the best for winter driving. You could get away with using the stock Dunlop GTs. Fifth Gen. weighing in at 4750lbs plus, this is a heavy beast and it shows when it comes to stopping distance. Having AT tires with more void between lugs does not help on ice/slick roads. You need sipping, that is why winter tires are so heavily sipped plus softer rubber compound.

Traveling long distances in on again, off again, snow dictates switching in and out of 4WD to avoid diff. damage is no fun. For this very reason, over the Thanksgiving weekend, we took the Escape(AWD) on a 700 mile trip. I really wanted to take the 4Runner but lack of confidence in slick conditions, kept it in the garage. In my case, AT tires do not help unless in deeper snow where the groves can fill-in with snow creating positive friction with snowy roads.

I wonder if Toyota would consider bringing back the 4th Gen. Full-time 4WD system? I would consider buying a 4th. one if they did! Does anyone run Michelin Defender LTX MS tires? They seem to have a lot of sipping so wondering how they do on slick roads?

 

[Y2Ksport]

I wonder if Toyota would consider bringing back the 4th Gen. Full-time 4WD system? I would consider buying a 4th. one if they did! Does anyone run Michelin Defender LTX MS tires? They seem to have a lot of sipping so wondering how they do on slick roads?

Pretty sure the 5th gen Limited trims have full-time 4wd.

 

[GreenMountainOwl]

Just got my 14 Limited a couple weeks ago.

It is indeed some sort of AWD, not sure what it’s called. Default 35/65 front/rear split I believe.

Tires that came on it are Bridgestone Duelers, which did fine in the two inches of snow we got since I bought the vehicle. I tried to slide and I couldn’t. There’s no extra ballast or weighed in the back.

Today I got a set of new Geolanders put on, so we will see how they do when we get more snow.

I’m in extreme northern Vermont and we usually get snow every day from roughly November through May ...oddly this year that’s not been happening.

 

[Jonny_04]

try adding weight in your cargo bay.

I had 4 snowboards, cargo full of gear, a cooler, and 2 passengers in the back. I dont think weight is an issue.

 

[xyzzy]

I swear my S4 and then my RS4 were the best handling most confidence inspiring cars I ever drove in the winter. Both Manuals and dedicated winters.....
<snip>

My (current) 2008 A4 3.2 6MT, 2003 S8 4.2 AT (sold), 2010 S5 4.2 6MT (sold), and my wife's 2008 A6 3.2 AT Avant (totaled by inattentive driver running red light), her (current) 2016 Q5 3.0T AT (all with winter and summer tires/wheels) are all exponentially better inclement weather vehicles than my recently purchased 2019 TRD ORP with Blizzaks this winter. When I took my A4 with Blizzaks out on glare ice (lakes with plowed courses/exercises), the electronic nannies wouldn't let me drift it, but when I turned them off I could practice hooning for hours.

I didn't buy the 4Runner as a primary winter vehicle, but I'm driving it now as a winter daily driver to get a feel for its capabilities as a replacement for the 1986 FJ60 I recently sold because I just couldn't bear to drive the FJ60 in the winter on salted roads.

 

[cb1111]

It is always the tires

https://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=593&tab=Winter

https://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=373&tab=Winter

https://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=459&tab=Winter

https://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=23&tab=Winter

https://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=592&tab=Winter

 

[stephan07]

Boy do I miss my B7 RS4. An 07 I got July 06. Had kid number 2 and needed something bigger. Went with a diesel Touareg. Foolish decision.

Still. I love my four runner. But until I went with studded winters, I was always nervous in wet 30 degree temps.


Lastly......the RS6 saloon is slated to come to the states.........

 

[cb1111]

Boy do I miss my B7 RS4. An 07 I got July 06. Had kid number 2 and needed something bigger. Went with a diesel Touareg. Foolish decision.

Still. I love my four runner. But until I went with studded winters, I was always nervous in wet 30 degree temps.


Lastly......the RS6 saloon is slated to come to the states.........

I kick myself often for having sold my S6. The RS6 would be nice but I'd have to rob a couple of banks first.

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

I kick myself often for having sold my S6. The RS6 would be nice but I'd have to rob a couple of banks first.

No kidding. Also, an auto Audi just seems blasphemous, but so does dropping over 100k on a grocery getter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mudballz]

Nyc just got about 3 inches of icy snow my orp with falken at3 worked great all week in 2wd only can’t wait for more snow :canada:
Mike

 

[Veinz]

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.

 

[Steel28]

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’s great to hear!!! I’ll be keeping my Nitto Grapplers as well for Toronto winters!

 

[BobsTrail]

All Weather AT Tires

I think I'm doing well with my Toyo Open Country ATs for wet roads in Salem,Oregon and they appear to do well in snow and packed snow on trips to the mountains.

All the above posts about winter driving are interesting. I would like opinions based on experience when I replace the Toyos and want good snow and wet performance in a good off road tire.

Considering Nitto Terra Grapplers. Cooper ATW3 or Toyo Open Country ATs.

 

[Mudballz]

I think the best off-road tires that meet your criteria is the falken wildpeaks at3 they are standard on the new gladiator
I for one can vouch for the drive in rain and slush and they are outstanding
Mike

 

[blackened_offroad]

I think I'm doing well with my Toyo Open Country ATs for wet roads in Salem,Oregon and they appear to do well in snow and packed snow on trips to the mountains.

All the above posts about winter driving are interesting. I would like opinions based on experience when I replace the Toyos and want good snow and wet performance in a good off road tire.

Considering Nitto Terra Grapplers. Cooper ATW3 or Toyo Open Country ATs.

I had those toyos on my 4x4 van and thought they were awful in snow.