Winter Tires

[mvinsable]

Hello,
I have a 1999 4Runner. I am having a lot of issues with sliding when I am on icy roads (even in AWD). I am currently using Dean Mud Terrain tires from Les Schwabs.
My girlfriends little Toyota Yaris seems to out perform mine! Although she does have studded tires.

Is it just a common thing with the 4Runner to slide around more, or is it a tire selection issue?

Thanks

 

[quicksilvr]

Hello,
I have a 1999 4Runner. I am having a lot of issues with sliding when I am on icy roads (even in AWD). I am currently using Dean Mud Terrain tires from Les Schwabs.
My girlfriends little Toyota Yaris seems to out perform mine! Although she does have studded tires.

Is it just a common thing with the 4Runner to slide around more, or is it a tire selection issue?

Thanks

It's all about the tires. Snow tires (even non-studded ones) on a little FWD car will outperform mud tires on an AWD suv all day long.

Rubber compound, tread design and siping are huge factors in snow/ice traction.

A high quality all-terrain tire is usually you're best best for winter traction in a 4runner. Mud tires generally don't do that great in the snow.

 

[fenrisx]

Keep in mind this isn't personal experience, but merely what I've been reading on the forums...

Generally, a mud tire is going to one of the worst choices for icy roads. Maybe look for a winter rated AT. The MT will be good in some snow, but skates on the ice.

I'm just running a set of Firestone Destination A/T's, and they're decent in snow with 4wd, but even in ice they're not that great. In 2wd in the snow I still get a lot of wheel spin (granted I've got no weight in the rear).

 

[alaskaflyer]

I have no experience with these tires myself but I've read some good things about "green diamond tires" google and read.

 

[98Roamer]

MT and winter tires are completely different tires. Tire Rack has some really good info about this. MT has large voids so mud doesn't stick in the tread. Snow tires have many small voids to hold snow, soft compound and "edges" for grip on snow and ice. Snow sticks to snow, which gives you traction. We all know that MT are not all that great in the rain due to large patches of rubber, same true for ice and snow. I run Bridgestone Winter Duelers and they are amazing in the snow, mostly because that's what they designed for but this is the 4th winter and they are shot. They now slip just as much as my summer tires, Destination AT.

For really deep snow, then MT come back into the picture for cutting through it.

 

[Gerdo]

This info is all about on road tires in the snow.

Winter tires have a soft compound, lots of siping, open tread but not too open and think narrow width tires.

The soft compound stays soft in the cold.

The siping grabs snow and holds it. An open tread will dig thru deep snow but clears the snow too quickly.

Think about making a snowman. You start with a small ball and as it rolls in the snow it grabs that snow. That is what you need your tires to do. They need to grab and hold the snow.

A narrow tire will cut down thru the deep snow to get to the road. A wide tire will float on top of the deep snow (great when off road but not on road).

As far as ice. Siping will help but studs are the best. One issue with studs is on dry and wet roads, they will actually reduce traction and you will have more tendency to spin tires.

As already said, some AT tires are winter rated. From my experience, ATs will out perform a MT in snow. Mainly because ATs have siping. Siping a MT will help some.

 

[djbrand1]

Yes, M/T's only good for deep, non-packed snow. Very bad in icy packed snow.

A/T's better in snow. Some A/T's are rated Mud&Snow Severe weather and are pretty decent in all snow. ex: Goodyear Duratrac's.

Dedicated Snow/Winter tires top all obviously for traction in near freezing temperatures due to rubber compound and in light snow/ice due to tread design. M/T's will be better in lot's of powder off road though.

4WD will never help in braking or turning. Really only helps to get you moving. Unless your a really good driver with no traction control and can power through a 4 wheel drift. :driving:

Hope that helps.

 

[brian2sun]

This info is all about on road tires in the snow.

Winter tires have a soft compound, lots of siping, open tread but not too open and think narrow width tires.

The soft compound stays soft in the cold.

The siping grabs snow and holds it. An open tread will dig thru deep snow but clears the snow too quickly.

Think about making a snowman. You start with a small ball and as it rolls in the snow it grabs that snow. That is what you need your tires to do. They need to grab and hold the snow.

A narrow tire will cut down thru the deep snow to get to the road. A wide tire will float on top of the deep snow (great when off road but not on road).

As far as ice. Siping will help but studs are the best. One issue with studs is on dry and wet roads, they will actually reduce traction and you will have more tendency to spin tires.

As already said, some AT tires are winter rated. From my experience, ATs will out perform a MT in snow. Mainly because ATs have siping. Siping a MT will help some.

I agree. An AT will outperform an MT until it gets several inches deep. Then the bigger lugs on the MT will dig better and clean out the snow between the treads better. That is why so many people who drive in snow a lot go with the Goodyear Duratracs. IMO they are hands down the best compromise. They have the siping and different biting angles like an AT so they do great on packed snow, but they have almost as big of lugs as an MT so they dig well and clean out well in deep snow and mud.

 

[larrylegend]

I have the goodyear duratracs and I think they are great in snow. They work pretty good in packed snow but I have yet to really try them out on the ice. If you really need some traction you can stud the duratracs too.

 

[alaskaman]

Nokian hakkapeliitta the answer to ice/snow.

 

[Casper421]

:iagree: Studs are the way to go if you drive on roads with snow/ice at least 10 days a month. I recommend Mastercraft Courser MSR studded! Unbelievable traction in deep snow and amazing grip when the road gets slick! :driving:

 

[Gerdo]

Nokian hakkapeliitta the answer to ice/snow.

If I drove snow and ice allot I would go with a similar setup!