Tires for wet roads

Ok guys, I need some advice on tires that are really good in the rain. I've never posted on a vehicle forum, I'm a 50 year old woman, I'm not rallying up the mountains, so go easy on me for not knowing all in and outs of all terrain. I've owned a ford exploder, and fwd Tucson that had the auto activated 4w, so i have experience driving a suv. I bought a 2010 sr5 rwd, manual 4wd hi/low a few months ago. The guy I bought it from wanted it to go fishing and hunting, so he went and bought Goodyear wrangler ultraterrain 265/70/17. The back end of this 4runner has gotten pretty squirrely on me when the roads get wet, and I live in the PNW so they will be wet a lot. I know i will have to get better at driving with rear wheel drive, but from what i have read on a few forums, the type of tire makes a big difference. I also read that the tire I have is poor for wet driving. I'm overwhelmed with all the stuff I've read on forums and legit websites, with bits and pieces of info that pertains to my situation. I decided its best if I ask you guys with all my specific info. The tires have 12/32 tread, 4 years old, and about 28k miles on them. discount tire and Les Schwab both said they look great. Is it ridiculous to think a different tire will make that big a difference? 1,200$ is a lot of money to spend just to hope it will, and i don't have that kind of $. But the way this thing fishtailed on me a few times, scared the hell out of me. Getting a different car/trim not possible. And if different tire will help, what tire? tire rack has these ultra terrains rated as "good". I had the wildpeak at3 on tucson and I thought they were great. I guess my main question is, is this normal for sr5's? could my tires be playing a big part? Or is it all me and I'm s.o.l.?

Post edit - wow I've gotten a lot of good info from you guys, this forum is pretty awesome

 

If you’re not going to be heading off-pavement much, you’ll probably want some less-aggressive all-season tires. (although keeping in mind what other requirements you may have like winter performance)

Although I’d also think about when the rear end slips in your case, I noticed the 4Runner is more willing to break traction when turning/accelerating in dry conditions than I expected. (when turning or u-turning onto a busy road) If you can reduce instances by being easy on the throttle in curves it may help compensate for the tires.

If it’s just setting off from a stop light, 4WD will help in getting off the line but you’ll probably want to put it back into 2WD at speed since you’re still on pavement.

I can no longer take corners like I did in my Sorento and that’s already a bit less nimble than your Tucson! If it was a model from the past decade, Hyundai/Kia’s AWD (made by Magna) was actually engaged a lot, not just waiting for slip - particularly when throttle is applied so it’ll probably feel more surefooted than any 4Runner in 2WD in any weather condition on-pavement

Hard for me to say where tire ends and vehicle begins here though. I have a set of Defender LTX M/S tires but they’ve been discontinued for our fitment.

 

For wet roads, have what ever you get siped. The shop should be able to do it. More sipes the better. And cheers and welcome. Any pics of your rig? Happy adventures.

 

Just purchased a 2001 4Runner sr5. I knew the people I purchased it from and drove it 10 years ago when the tires were new. Goodyear wranglers. Leaving it in rear wheel drive, in the rain they aren’t just “ Squirrley”, they were and still are out and out dangerous. They look great, but that’s it. Tirerack.com gives extensive reviews of tires.
Sumitomo all terrain (AT) looks like they might be the best for wet roads. General Grabber AT look pretty good also and they are white lettered if you like that look. Everybody loves BF Goodrich K02’s but they will cost you.

 

I've had a set of Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 for about a year. They handle great in the rain. Right now at Costco you can get a set installed with lifetime rotation and balance for just under $1000.

https://tires.costco.com/Product?It...-m/s2&partno=21308&width=265&aspect=70&rim=17

 

welcome

 

Thanks for the welcome. I’ve been waiting to purchase this vehicle for a number of years. 2001, it’s the right size for me. Body and interior in great shape. Frame was undercoated so in great shape. 200k miles, so it’s got a lot of life left to it. I’ve been changing out the fluids and fixing immediate issues, right rear axle seal, stuff like that. Really enjoying it though.

 

Don't get the Falken's, I've hydroplaned in them at 40mph in about 2" of standing water.

 

One of the more road-biased tires will serve you well for wet roads (I live in Florida). Currently have Michelin Defender LTX ms2, and have had good luck with Continental Terraincontact AT. They both worked in the snow I encountered occasionally in travels. If the snowflake symbol matters, there are still decent options. Good luck! Everyone has an opinion about tires that everyone else thinks is wrong.

 

I second the Continental Terrain Contact AT. I bought those partly due to the large rain channels on them.

 

Welcome.

I would check the air pressure like what @Noodles mentioned. Adjusting the way you use the throttle may help also.

 

Tire pressure is key. I have a scanguage2 mounted with velcro on my steering column. It reads tire pressure from TPMS thru the OBD2. It is amazing to watch tire pressure change with : air/ road surface temperature, parked or driving, season average temp changes, and sun shinning on tires.
I adjust my stock size XL rated Pirelli Scorpion AT plus pressure to 32psi cold with a 12v air compressor. Also Pirelli are 3peak snow rated.
I have seen them at Walmart around $160.
Paid $187 at my local helpful tire shop.

 

I haven't seen Cooper A/T3 4S tires mentioned, we have ran them, or variations, on several vehicles with outstanding behavior in wet/snowy/icy conditions. Like Kyblack76 said above.. siping, siping, siping. It makes a HUGE difference on how those tires work on wet roads. If you have a Pomp's Tire store near you, they have good deals on tires, the Coopers I mentioned were $840 plus some disposal and a couple of other fees.

 

Plus one for the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. I have these tires on my 2015 Tacoma 2WD. Since the back end of the Tacoma is lighter than a 4Runner, I have been extremely satisfied with the wet performance of this tire.

 

Which slipping tires are we talking about? Can't really find those Wrangler Ultraterrain.
Why I am asking...
The Dunlop Grandtrek's on mine are also very dangerous in the wet. It's not hydroplaning, but the rear end breaks out very quickly as soon as the road is wet.
So i actually had the Wrangler Duratrac RT in mind for next spring/summer.
I think specially this "RT's" are well siped. But i am now confused when you talking about Wrangler's here.

 

Thanks for the reply. I almost went with cooper's but decided to go with falkens. Had wildpeaks on my tucson and they were great in the water. Saw falken also made rubitreks which are a little better for roads vs the at4. Fingers crossed it makes a difference

 

These ultraterrain, I finally decided to be safer than sorry and bought some falkens. All the forums I read a lot of people weren't to pleased with the goodyears, at least that's what I got out of it. I had the wild peaks on my tucson and we're pleased with them, so went with falkens. But got the rubitreks instead of the at4 since they're more for road vs off road, plus 40$ cheaper per tire. Decided to stay away from goodyears, the discount tire guy said the ones I have aren't known for their wet road handling, even brand new out the door. New ones will be here next week, fingers crossed they are better, or I might be screwed

 

Yeah, I'm guessing it's probably 50/50. Decided to be safe and go with new tires anyways, I falken wildpeaks on tucson and was pleased with them. Went with the falken rubitreks since they are more for road vs off. Fingers crossed they make some sort of difference, but also changing how I drive.

 

Les schwab offered to do it, almost did. But decided to get some falkens and try to sell the ultraterrains. Had the wildpeaks on tucson and they were amazing. Fingers crossed new ones will help. Plus being super mindful how I drive in the rain.

 

It makes me feel better to know it's not just my imagination with the goodyears. I can't imagine all rwd runners are like this, no way they'd be allowed on the road. Had wildpeak at3s on the tucson and they were awesome, so got some rubitreks ordered, I guess they're more for road vs the at4. Fingers crossed

 

I checked and they are 35, so let a little out. Decided just to bite the bullet and bought some falkens. Fingers crossed it helps, plus more mindful of my driving in the rain

 

Really? Ugh, I already ordered the rubitreks since they are supposed to handle road better than the wildpeaks good for off road. Guess I'll try them for a bit, discount tires gives you 30 days to decide

 

Lol I'm finding that to be very true. I hesitated on the michelin defenders, had them on ford and all 4 were disintegrating after 3 years with 20k miles. Purchased some falkens that will be on next week. Someone just said don't buy those either, have 30 days to try. Discount tires said wranglers I have on now are known not to be good in rain, even new out the door. Fingers crossed

 

If you study tire reviews you will connect tire observable features to tire performance in the various catergories.
The simple wet road feature including hydroplaning and wet grip; Sipes and water escape channels. Non observable is rubber chemistry.
Read lots of reviews to average their personal likes.

Attached are 2 pics of treads from 2 AT brands rated 8 out of 10 for wet
The bottom pic is Pirelli Scorpion AT plus which I have.

 

Nah, its a pavement princess I am in WA so it would need to be able to go handle some stuff here and there.

 

My 2017 has not done any serious dirt yet. I am assembling an on board air compressor based on a C4 Fab 2nd battery shelf (by passenger firewall) and Smitty Built compressor. Project got set aside getting my house ready for elder family member to stay here for a while. My nephew with his new Bronco and I plan some dirt outings, time permitting.

 

It's at 35, someone else recommended them as well. I ordered some falken rubitreks for a try. I have 30 days to decide or exchange for something else. These are on my radar now. Thanks

 

I thought the rubitreks were better for road the the at4, why I picked them. They will be here later in the week, and I'll give them a try. I have 30 days to try or exchange for something else. A few people have mentioned the Pirelli

 

I guess part of my question is this normal for sr5s? Rwd?