Almost Lost It! New Tires?

Yesterday I was driving up an on-ramp and while accelerating between 55-60, the rear end got loose and I overcorrected slightly right into the death wobble. Luckily, while my wife was yelling, "What the hell is happening and why would you do such a thing?", I tamed the death wobble and continued home unscathed.

Now, I have read about how terrible the stock Dunlops are and planned on getting new tires soonish, but they actually seemed okay under braking in slippery conditions so I was thinking that maybe the complaints were from amateurs who have never driven in snow before. Yesterday, however, I experienced that they will break loose very abruptly under light acceleration uphill, in very mild winter road conditions. Granted, I understand that driving a RWD vehicle requires different technique than what I'm used to (AWD Audi S4 with Blizzaks and Honda Pilot AWD), especially in the winter, but this was not aggressive acceleration by any means and the roads were well plowed and salted. Honestly, I don't think there was even any snow on the ramp at all, it was just very cold (8 degrees or so).

What I concluded is that I need new tires and I need to accelerate extremely carefully, especially uphill, even in very mild conditions for any other vehicle. Looking for some thoughts and (hopefully) constructive criticism. Will better A/T tires help or do I need to get some Blizzaks... like now? Honestly, I think if my wife was driving and this happened, it wouldn't have ended well.

 

I think the A/Ts would be a good improvement, and also practice slapping it into 4 hi. It will not hurt it to do so.

 

My Dunlops were gone at 1300 miles.

Better AT's will help a ton. Get a 3 peak mountain snowflake tire, severe snow service rating. A true winter tire will be even better, of course.

 

I would get the Blizzaks for winter. Gives you a good excuse to get a nice set of wheels for AT tires and use the OEM wheels for winter tires. Looks like you know how well the Blizzaks work.

I have several miles of dirt roads to get to my place and right now these roads are covered in solid sheet ice that I have to wear cleats to walk on. If my 4R showed up right now at the dealership I don't think I could get it home with the stock tires unless I put chains on for dirt/ice roads or just have the dealer put winter tires on the OEM wheels.

Glad that you're OK.

 

Glad you're alright. Agree... the Dunlops are pretty crappy tires. I've had a couple hydroplaning issues myself, but nothing too scary and surprisingly, they've done fair on the snow in my area. I usually put it in 4 HI if there's a chance of slippage. I plan to soonish replace them as well—at 18k miles now—with AT Falken Wildpeak or Bridgestones KO2. I'll probably do that prior next winter to get as much out of them as I can.

 

Also, if you decide to go with a dedicated set of winter tires, check out Nokian Hakkapeliittas. They're some of the best snow tires made.

 

Since I've never had winter tires please educate me. I have 2 concerns;

1. Are winter tire strong enough for trails? If you compare same "P" Rated like Falken Wildpeak AT3W P rated vs a Winter tire. I think C/D/E is out of the question for sure.

2. Winter tires are to be used 45F or below right? Atleast in CO I often see temps over 45F during winter. Not sure this will reduce the life / purpose of winter tire.


Just asked if that helps anyone. No money to have multiple sets of tires & wheels..

 

I'm in N ID and run Blizzaks from Oct to late March and I'm on season #4 with this set of tires and they are wearing well. I don't think having the temperature about 45* from time to time makes any difference. The rubber compound is too soft for off roading I think unless the trails are mostly snow and ice covered. I have about 8-10 miles of icy roads to negotiate round trip to get to the highway from my place. I don't think I could make it with non winter tires. It gets really slippery when it rains and there is water on top of the ice but I just drive slowly and the Blizzaks on my Subaru do OK. I wear cleats to walk on this stuff since it's pretty painful to fall on this hard stuff.

Here's a photo of the road and another of the ice that I broke up that shows it's not just packed powder:

 

Snow tires are for ~45*F and below and excel on snow and ice compared to non-snow tires.
While you can run snow tires all year round, don't.
Get a second set of wheels and put your summer ATs or MTs on it and swap them right around the 45*F sustained weather in your area.

 

The softer compound used in winter tires will wear much faster in warmer weather. But I don't know anyone that moderates their winter use based on ambient air temperature.

 

If you knew me, then you would. :grin:
Google "when to switch to winter tires" and you may find that it's a general rule of thumb.

 

I've had winter tires most of my life. What I meant was I'm certainly not going to avoid driving on a nice warm 60*F spring day just because I still have my winter tires on. Maine allows for studded tires 6 months out of the year. (Studs on Nov 1st, off by May 1st.) That's basically the calendar timeframe I follow.

 

I think @afret nailed it.

An occasional warm day shouldn't be detrimental.

I have never thought about snow tires and trail use. They would probably rule for snow covered trails, but not hold up well in rocks. I'm just guessing here, though.

 

Wow, sounds “exciting” to say the least. Im surprised the stability control didnt kick in more aggressively. I always feel mine kick in pretty quickly around slick corners. But I suppose I havent seen how it does with faster sweeping turns.

If you dont have the cash and space for two sets of tires, Id skip the snow tires and just get a good snowflake/three peak rated tires, and drive within those limits.

i have BF KO2. Decent all around, but not good with standing water/hydroplaning

 

Thanks all for the replies! I think I will be getting new tires and I'll also plan to utilize 4Hi a bit more liberally, at least while getting onto the highway. Thinking about the Falken Wildpeaks and then probably plan on buying snow tires for the extra wheels next winter.

That's the interesting part, I was going straight when it happened. I just reached the top of the hill and was continuing to accelerate in preparation to merge when it broke loose. The stability control kicked in and I'm certain it helped, but I think traction broke so abruptly at a relatively high speed that it didn't really help until after I had already overcorrected once.

 

It's curious that you used the phrase "death wobble", which only occurs in front solid axle 4WD vehicles, mostly Jeeps, and has nothing to do with the rear of the vehicle, other than it having to follow the out-of-control front end, as it scares the crap out of the driver.

I'd venture to say that what you described as death wobble most likely was the traction control system trying to take control of a vehicle going out of control.

 

Black ice?

Driving this morning, I started sliding out of my lane on Hwy 36 around a curve... Left the 4Runner (stock Dunlop's) at home and took the AWD Tucson.

 

I grew up biking and skateboarding so it's probably not the technically correct terminology, but that's how we've always described what occurs when you overcorrect back and forth, and almost (or actually do) lose control.

 

Definitely could have been but the roads were generally pretty good yesterday.

 

Ahhh. Didn't leave the house yesterday. Also not looking forward leaving the house tomorrow or Wednesday morning. Supposed to be negative teens again.

 

I've been "made fun of" around here for having the same problem. New quality tires fixed the spins. Do it!
And put it in 4WD when it's dicey outside. Then there's no issue.

 

When the snow starts to go away it might be the time to jump on the snow tires at a discount.

 

Check out BFG Trail Terrains. It’s a new tire (came out last fall) that is 3pms rated and a good mix of an all terrain and highway tire. I got a set for my 21 SR5 about 6 weeks ago they have been fantastic in Wyoming on snow, ice, dirt, and tarmac.

 

Thanks for the heads-up! I saw those but I couldn't find much about them so I didn't really consider them.

 

Michelin LTX or Falken wildpeaks period

 

With all the recent snow we have had in southern WI I haven't had any problems with the OEM Dunlop AT2s. There have been slippery instances while in 2wd, but the conditions were ice or very compacted snow. In 4wd the Dunlops have done pretty good overall in fresh and day old snow and traction has been steady at 45-55 MPH in the backcountry roads. I have lived in WI most of my life and have driven rear wheel drive (76 Olds Cutlass Supr and 84 Olds Delta 88) in the winter early in my driving experience (high school), so driving a truck is no problem.

I have thought about getting back up high user rated AT tires as an upgrade but haven't decided on which one to get yet.

I believe that knowing your equipment's limitations and understanding the road conditions leads to successfully getting to where you need to go safely and timely, no matter what tire you have installed.

 

Welcome to the forum from your neighbor!

 

Not to high Jack this thread but what would you guys suggest for a 21 ORP that will be mostly highway use. I will be towing a boat and on wet boat ramps this summer. After reading this I am slightly concerned not having towed my boat yet.

I just don’t want to have anything really loud but still looks sharp. This is only driven in summer/fall. If you want to PM me that’s fine again no intentions to high Jack thread.

 

The day I bought my 4Runner, I drove straight to my local tire shop and sold them the tires that came on the vehicle, and had them put on a set of AT 3 peak mountain snowflake rated tires and they have been outstanding. As has been already mentioned use 4hi when needed. Where I live, Western Oregon, it is hard to justify summer and winter tires.

 

Something was bugging me about this post. It dawned on me today that my OEMs were actually Bridgestone Dueler HT. Dunlop vs. Dueler. Oops.

Except for the brand, I stand by everything I said though!