Winter Tires VS All Season AT's

[JayceeP]

Not getting stuck is one thing but actually stopping, which is likely more important than anything, is another.

Unless you’re driving some sort of heavy duty off-road tire then I cannot imagine you would live near the Rockies and not have winter tires. I would also consider it irresponsible to deliberately drive without winter tires. Never mind your own life, you are endangering others and potentially causing congestion if you’re ever that person that gets stuck on an icy hill (4wd doesn’t always make a difference) blocking everyone else behind you. The tread compound on winter tires is specifically designed for cold temps. All-season and all-terrain tires are less useful/safe when you compare to a proper winter tire. I also got 6 seasons out of my Michelin x-ice xi2’s so yeah you need to buy extra tires up front but you’re also extending the overall life of your tires too.

 

[Bumbo]

I know people are mentioning the KO2, but what load range are you using? It makes a huge difference. I had a E load KO2 and it was not to my liking.

 

[mistervague]

Not getting stuck is one thing but actually stopping, which is likely more important than anything, is another.

This times 10.

Your MT, AT or M+S type tires with 4WD will make you feel like a hero when accelerating or keeping momentum on snow or ice. However, your truck weighs 6,300 pounds and stopping on slippery snow or ice is going to be terrible without dedicated winter tires, which not only have deep treads, but also many more sipes and – mostly importantly – much more pliant rubber that doesn’t turn into a rock below 45 degrees.

It was all talk for me (and I was fine for several winters) until my 4Runner slid 30 feet on black ice down my own street while I was going no more than 2 mph in 4Lo – straight through a stop sign into oncoming traffic. Not a fun day, and I am sure it was 100% because the tires were not winter tires.

I have since replaced the Nitto Terra Grapplers with Blizzaks for the winter and the difference is very noticeable. Also, they look cool.

Lastly: regardless of what tires you run in the winter, drive extra slow because you are in a big SUV (momentum = mass x velocity).

 

[Decipher]

This times 10.



Your MT, AT or M+S type tires with 4WD will make you feel like a hero when accelerating or keeping momentum on snow or ice. However, your truck weighs 6,300 pounds and stopping on slippery snow or ice is going to be terrible without dedicated winter tires, which not only have deep treads, but also many more sipes and – mostly importantly – much more pliant rubber that doesn’t turn into a rock below 45 degrees.



It was all talk for me (and I was fine for several winters) until my 4Runner slid 30 feet on black ice down my own street while I was going no more than 2 mph in 4Lo – straight through a stop sign into oncoming traffic. Not a fun day, and I am sure it was 100% because the tires were not winter tires.



I have since replaced the Nitto Terra Grapplers with Blizzaks for the winter and the difference is very noticeable. Also, they look cool.



Lastly: regardless of what tires you run in the winter, drive extra slow because you are in a big SUV (momentum = mass x velocity).

Sums it up. If you live anywhere that has harsh conditions, winter tires are a must, but you must also know your area. I wouldn’t dream of living in the mountains of CO and not having winter tires. I live in lame Illinois where the land is as flat as the taxes are high, and even with good snows there isn’t much need for a winter tires on this vehicle. It’s simply the truth. Would it perform better? Heck yes. Is it necessary? No, especially when Mr. Attorney is calling his city to b-tch that there’s a 1/2” of snow on the road and no plows.

So all I’ll say is know your area and be responsible. Stopping is certainly where snow tires and yes, mountain peak snowflake rated tires show their worth. These trucks are so capable that any tire will look like a rockstar in 4wd...until you have to stop.


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[LandCruiser]

Colorado tends to be icy AF because it goes from 70 to -8 in less than 48 hours.

Most "mud" tires can't stop or corner on ice. And Colorado is full of hills and winding roads.

I had a set of Blizzaks for the winter and then Rotiivas and swapped them out in May.

Subarus do great in the snow on all weather tires because their AWD is light years ahead of what's on the 4Runner.

My Macan was heroic on snow and ice on all weather Pirellis and outperformed my 4Runner on Rotiivas.

My TE spent 7 years in the Front Range, FWIW.

If you really want to go for winter hero, get some studded MT tires.

 

[Zemlyak]

Also looking to replace my tires on SR5/2020, original Dunlop doesn't look like working well while first winter and I don't like to try it again, 10K of miles only since covid I am not driving much but anyway. Looking for suggestion, my previous good experience with Firestone Destinations and Wrangler Duratracks on another cars. Not sure about 4Runner. I am in NJ, winter here could be not as pleasant time to time.

 

[Gstick]

I know people are mentioning the KO2, but what load range are you using? It makes a huge difference. I had a E load KO2 and it was not to my liking.

I run the 6 ply (Load range C) with 38 lbs of air in all 4. (265/70/17) The BFG AT KO2's have served me well for many years and I like them much better than the 6 ply, LT Cooper AT's.

 

[joshsonofjohn]

Subarus do great in the snow on all weather tires because their AWD is light years ahead of what's on the 4Runner.

I can’t speak to whether Subaru’s AWD system is light years ahead of the 4Runner’s 4WD system, but my Outback’s performance on snow and ice isn’t all that special with all weather tires. Dedicated snow tires make a big difference on a Subaru too.


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[Jetboy]

Just for fun - lots of different snow conditions. AWD cars - subaru, Porsche, even Toyota's own Awd systems can work better in some snow. The differences become pretty apparent at the extremes of snow conditions. Subaru and others are great in 2" of snow. Not so great in 2 feet. Horses for courses. I've never found a need for snow tires for normal driving in a 4x4 of awd vehicle. I have normally run snow tires on my commercial snow plow vehicles. They certainly work better in many snow conditions than all season tires. Especially on ice or hard packed or plowed snow conditions.

 

[alaskaman]

I ran Pirelli Scorpion ATR on the way to Alaska and they did well. Once living there I purchased Nokian SUV5 Studded to run around. The difference was being to stop in less distance.

That said, the studded Nokian's can climb through pretty much anything. I'm not a fan of Subarus (just a preference) but I can assure you the 4Runner in 4WD with the differential locked can pretty much get you there anytime.

If you are going to hit ice in towns, go with the studded tires is my advice.

 

[LandCruiser]

Just for fun - lots of different snow conditions. AWD cars - subaru, Porsche, even Toyota's own Awd systems can work better in some snow. The differences become pretty apparent at the extremes of snow conditions. Subaru and others are great in 2" of snow. Not so great in 2 feet. Horses for courses. I've never found a need for snow tires for normal driving in a 4x4 of awd vehicle. I have normally run snow tires on my commercial snow plow vehicles. They certainly work better in many snow conditions than all season tires. Especially on ice or hard packed or plowed snow conditions.

I like my Nokian Rotiivas for bad snow.

I think that once you get ice into the equation dedicated winter tires and a smart AWD system start to make more sense.

 

[AgentKooper]

I live in Denver and make frequent trips to the mountains throughout the winter. Yes, the I-70 corridor is pretty well maintained, but that doesn't do you much good if you get stuck driving it during a storm. Not to mention when when you're driving over less-traveled passes or anywhere off the beaten path in the high country for that matter. I've been running dedicated snow tires for a decade and would not want to go a season without them. I've had good luck with Blizzaks on other vehicles and am thinking about going with 255/75/17 Blizzak LTs for the 4Runner this winter.

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

I came from a 400+hp Audi S4 and it was still a beast in snow with winter tires (Michelin x-ice). My 4R breaks loose so easily on wet roads when it’s colder that I’m far less confident daily driving it compared to the S4. I would literally plow snow in that car with limited wheel spin.


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[blairracd]

This post doesn’t belong here. Your 2017 is a 5th gen.

Everyone else replying to him, you’re not helping.

 

[MedicineMan4040]

Just added new tires

Picked up a new 4Runner last Thursday. New tires today.
I chose Cooper AT3 LT. Life and tires are a compromise. I love BRG KO2, have them on our campervan. But for rear around do-it-all these Coopers will do.
But where I live, 4000 feet up in the Roan Mountain system (extreme northeast Tennessee) 3 months of the year are bad...and for that I'm already studying studded options.
Here's the new ride straight from the dealer with the supplied Dunlops. I did get the 3-2 lift at the dealer before pickup.
4runner by Stopitdown Stopitdown, on Flickr
After the Coopers I measured 12 inches of clearance to the front skid plate and 10.5 inches to the rear differential.