Winter Rated Tires on 5th Gens: Pics and Opinions Wanted!

[Martyb]

I just installed a set of Yokohama Geolander AT G015 - P265 70 17s which are winter rated. I will report back when we get some snow which should be soon. I can say they are very quiet and handle great on the road. Tested up to 90mph and on some sharp turns and off ramps and steering was precise and handling felt very predictable. I like them much better than the stock 20's which I found to be a choppy ride.

 

[1engineer]

I don't know what winter is like in Texas but if the temperatures stay below 45F regularly I'd definitely look for a dedicated winter tire. The advantages over a winter-rated all terrain are the substantial improvements in braking and steering (the most important parts of collision avoidance). 4WD doesn't help you in either of those areas.

I have a set of General Altimax Arctic for our 4Runner that we've used for two winters and I have no complaints. I've used the old BFG ATs on a previous truck and hated them in the winter as they turned into hockey pucks. The summer tires on our 4Runner are Cooper AT3s and the driving them in the first snowfall each year reminds me why I have winter tires. The OEM Dunlops also sucked. I have new Cooper ATWs on the 4Runner now and they've been quite good in the snow and ice we've had thus far this year but I'll still be switching them out for the winters.

My experience with Duratracs on our pickups at work is that they are good when new but their winter performance drops off dramatically as they start to wear. I've also used Michelin X-Ice Xi2s on a Hyundai Tucson and really liked them. I have a set of those waiting at Costco for our Sienna (the Michelins, not the Duratracs!). General now has the Grabber Arctic that might be worth looking at as well. They have a P265/70/17 with an XL rating which should work well for a 4Runner.

If you wanted me to pick for you I'd narrow it down to the General models for a dedicated winter tire or the Cooper ATW or Falken AT3/W for a year round tire. There are lots of options so you'll just have to see what makes the most sense for your winter travel plans.



I agree with the most of what you had said (stupidity is the enemy, not the winter!) but unless you're seeing temperatures significantly above freezing for the majority of the winter I'd venture to say you could still benefit from a winter tire. We experience Chinook winds fairly frequently throughout our winters so we see similar conditions to what you describe. Due to their softer compound winter tires have the advantage over ATs until the temperature is above 45F at which point it's not really winter any more anyhow. The improvement in grip for steering and stopping is noticeable in cold weather regardless of the road surface and the durability of modern winter tires is comparable to that of all seasons or all terrain tires. I'm not saying AT tires don't work in the winter; just that they don't work nearly as well as winter tires.

The way I look at it for my personal vehicles is that you can get a significant winter performance and safety increase for minimal cost (given that the second set of wheels and tires will essentially double the lifespan of your summer set). What's not to like about that? :biggrin1:

Here's it will get 25F, snow, and a few days later it will be 60F for a week or so. Then it will get 30F, snow a foot and temps will go back to 50F for several days. Rarely will we have five days below freezing. If it were even 50/50 I would have snow tires but even in January it's not. Funny thing about my location: We will get a foot of snow and if you go north or south 30 miles or so chances are there will be no snow lol. Elevation and location are the culprits.

 

[Orbital Debris]

Michelin Xice

I have Michelin Xice dedicated winter tires on 265/70R17 Trail wheels. Previously I went through 3 winters on the Front Range with the stock dunlops, and these are a BIG improvement. They handle well in dry and wet, and are just as quite

From my perspective, a dedicated winter tire is for improved traction in lower temperatures. My main concern was not so much snow as ice. The first snow after we got them on, I took it out for a little informal testing, and was impressed by the improved stopping distance.

The extra margin is worth the hassle of dedicated snows if you have the budget and storage space. Yes, you can get by without if you drive wisely, but they are there as a precaution if you have to be on the road.

I've driven that stretch about 6 times in the last 2 years, but all in good weather. Would not want to have to do it in foul weather, but it could crop up at any time.

I will be changing over tomorrow and will get a couple of good pics if you would like.

 

[green_manalishi]

General Altimax Arctic are a rebrand of a popular (now updated) nordic winter tire called Gislaved Nordfrost 3. If anyone on the planet makes good winter tires, it's the Nordic region. I have a set on our Accord and they're impressive.


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[Peyto]

I've had good luck with Michelin X-Ice, Blizzaks, and Nokian Hakkas, and these are generally the most popular winter tire in the places I drive. They each have relative strengths and weaknesses, and I'm partial to the Michelins, but you can't go wrong with either.

Have heard lots of positive things about the Toyo & General winter tires but don't have any experience with them.