All season tires for a cautious newbie

I need some advice. This is my first winter with my 4Runner coming from a Subaru outback. I've noticed that whenever there is a tiny dusting of snow, I have to put my car into 4WD. Even then, the traction is questionable. I basically feel like unless the road is dry, my car just slides along and I have no traction. At this point, I really don't feel safe driving my 4runner in anything but sunny weather. I am a very confident, safe driver. I was fearless in my Subaru, but scared to death in the 4runner. It came with Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 tires. From what I've read these tires are garbage and probably the reason for my troubles. I'm hoping with a solid set of tires, I can gain my winter driving confidence back. I drive mostly on highway, dirt and gravel roads. I don't off-road but can find myself in sticky spots when I go skiing, hiking or fishing.

What all-season tire do you guys recommend?

I'm torn between Michelin Defender and KO2s. Has anyone gone through Costco for tires?

 

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

 

My Nitto Ridge Grapplers have been pretty great in all weather conditions. I definitely recommend checking them out.

 

The Michelin defenders are the best daily driving tires you can put on your vehicle. Not as cool looking as all terrains but they are fantastic in most driving conditions.

I just saw the Costco sale on Michelin’s and plan on seeing if Discount tire will price match the $70. Off on 4 for my wife’s highlander. Costco does say they do all the good stuff discount does like free rotations and repair.

 

My vote is for the Falken Wildpeak AT3W's. I've been running the 285/70/17 SL for almost three years now in Virginia and they have been perfect. I have a little over 30,000 miles on them and they have about half their tread left. We had a snow storm last year with almost a foot of snow and I was driving around just fine. They are also great in the rain. I got them for just under 600 bucks as well so they are not bad on the wallet at all. Highly recommend.

Also for reference I have ran the Toyo A/T's, Cooper Discoverer AT3's, Wrangler Duratracs, BFG KO2's, and now the Falkens.

 

Michelin Defender LTX...X2. OP you will be super hard pressed to find a better All Season tire. Especially in light to moderate snow, rain, and ice (in those 3 categories they are superior to any All Terrain I have ever used). Deep snow (foot or more) or offroading...now that's a completely different animal. But with that said I got home in many blizzards and never had an issues with all the gravel and dirt roads I have hit with them. They are a boring looking tire for sure but they provided an amazingly confident and stable ride throughout the entire life of the tire (which many companies can't).

 

Another vote for the Michelin Defender LTX's. They are a fantastic tire. Pricey, but well worth it in the long run because they last so long.

If you decide you want more of an All Terrain tire, check out the Firestone Destination A/Ts. They get really good reviews and are on the milder side of an A/T so you won't have a constant hum coming from your tires as your roll down the highway.

A bit of advice.....I made the mistake of buying tires from Costco once. Never again. It takes them 2 hours plus just to rotate because they are so damn busy all of the time. Take the cheapest quote you can find over to America's tire and have them match it. You'll be much happier with their service.

 

How do the defenders do in snow? I live in the front range of Colorado so I'm real focused on winter. I don't think I need all terrain. I only drive on gravel, road and dirt, but part of me is wondering about limiting myself. Thanks for the heads up on Costco. I have a big O tire near me. I just moved to I haven't found my go-to guys yet.

Any thoughts on Big O tires?

 

I am in lower NY state so I would definitely say you have much more experience with snow than I. However I do travel north to Vermont and Maine a few times a year during the winter and have never felt "limited". I have been catch in the mountains during heavy snowstorms but the Michelins have always did their job in the snow. In deep snow you will probably get a slight bit more spinning than a KO2 but once the siping kicks in you with get good traction. Like I said earlier in deep snow their are better options but for paved road snow they are great. Especially when the ground goes from snow to ice to blacktop. Dedicated snow tires are the best choice if snow is your main concern. The Michelins provide a predictable ride, meaning when you are pushing them to their limits you will know. I have used Michelins LTXs are a multitude of vehicles and have found they lessen wheel spin in wintry conditions (Explorers, suburbans, Tacomas, 4Runners). I think part of this can be attributed to the temperature rating. They stay soft and pialable in very cold temps unlike AT tires.

 

i had the defenders in 285/70/17 and they were awesome. just too big for my stock suspension.

i switched to 265/70/17 KO2's and I love them. i wanted an AT tire as opposed to all season. they have been great in the rain and the little amount of snow we've had so far. cant wait to get them off road.

 

I would do a search on the Firestone Defender AT's and see if you can find any reviews regarding driving in the snow. I've read a few that said they were great in the snow, but I don't personally know.

Costco is fine to buy tires from, but just know if they are a busy Costco (they probably all are) it will be a pain to get your vehicle in there to rotate.

The Big O by me sucks, but it's more about the people running it. Yours might be great. Look for some reviews on them as well.

 

Discount Tire will also price match. An if your stock tires are new they usually give you money for them. I got $60 a piece for my stock Dunflops and they had a few hundred miles on them.

 

I have Hankook DynaPro ATM 265/70r17 on the Runner. Haven’t had them long but already been through snow and rain and so far they are performing great.

 

Hi Paul,

Out of those tried, would you say you like he Falken's the best? I'm in WA, so water capabilities are high on my list, as is low noise.

 

Defenders are awesome in snow. I don't think you can get a better tire for snow, aside from getting a dedicated snow tire. Same goes for slushy/icy roads.

Lots of siping on the Defenders. And they last forever.

 

Yes the Falkens in my opinion are the best. I'd say however if you do only light offroading, go with the Coopers. Those tires were awesome in the wet.

 

I just spent days shopping for tires. For the money, the wear rating and the snow rating I went with the General - Grabber AT/X

 

I just ordered a set of cooper AT/w for my new 2018 ..

 

I just bought a set of these and am having a heck of a time with getting them balanced. Been two 2 different shops and am still getting an intermittent shimmy at 60 mph. How are they working for you?

 

Another vote for the Falken Wild Peak series.

 

I used to work at Costco selling tires, they are great to buy from for the price and post purchase care. Literally, if you get them on and you hate them, you can bring them back. Yes, we get really busy, I also worked at the 3rd busiest tire shop worldwide, if you make an appointment we always get you in and out in an hour. There selection is not great though. Michelin / BFG leaves a lot to be desired, there was talk about Goodyear joining, but that didn't come to fruition. I've also bought a lot of tires from Discount/American, they are pretty good as well, and very competative on prices. I got all my Wrangler Duratracs from them through the years.

I'll give you what I know:
I installed a lot of Defenders, never had any complaints about them. They lasted a long time, and dealt well with the occasional PNW weather. I am driving on KO2's on both my current rigs. They are a bear to balance, but it can be done, I've done it many times. They ride very nice on the road for what they are, they suffice for chains in many states. Don't get the load range E unless you are going to be hitting the trails. Nothing beats a Wrangler Duratrac for traction. But the ride aint great, and they are pricey.