Winter Tires for Canadian West Coast

[4highlander]

Hi - looking for advice. '05 4 Runner. We get mostly rain in winter but when it snows, it's wet with ice underneath. I live in a hilly area with a steep driveway.
Also wondering if it's worthwhile to get a second set of rims to swap out in the summer. Heard that can be a problem with the tire sensors?

 

[chaz]

if u go for the second tire set, the tpms light comes on after about 100 driven miles or 1hr , it will reset over night if u leave them near where u park. one of the bridge stone blizzaks will do well. if u would rather go for 1 set all year round, id say get an AT tire, the GYSA, bridgestone revo, hankook dynapro r10 ATM, firestone desination at, are a few good choices.

 

[toytwo]

Based on your description of the weather & where you live a set of winters may be worth your while. At 7 degrees celcius & below (45 F) the rubber compound on allseason tires becomes very stiff causing significant loss of traction. Using snow tires in the summer will cause them to wear prematurely as the rubber is quite a bit softer, staying that way at sub-freezing temps. I put 17" steel rims on mine with a set of Toyo's including the spare because of the amount of salt used here. Great time to check your spare when you change seasons/tires. You may be able to use 16's depending on your brake rotor size. Tires would be cheaper. A fellow I know at a tire shop saw a spare alloy rim so badly rotted on a 4 year old truck it had to be replaced. TPMS sensors have not been an issue, only comes on with longer trips & resets overnight. I can get you the Toyo model if you need it. They were recommended by the tire shop & were less than 2 of the other ones they sold.

 

[paraordnance]

Im quite happy with GYWSA here in Alberta, but we get a lot more snow. I might try Duratracs as my next tire since I want more traction in deep snow for hunting/fishing trips.