Original Equipped Tires + Snow

I live in SoCal, so snow is very rare for us. We have snow in the mountains and would like to take my truck to Sequoia next weekend. But I'm deciding whether I need to buy new tires. Maybe you guys can give me your 2 cents.

The truck is still on the original tires (Goodyear Wrangler A/T), it's a 2017 TRD Pro. The tires still have meat left, slightly above the wear bar. The trip is mostly on paved snowy/icy roads - although it may or may not be fully plowed, no clue.

I've bought tire cables, as they require to carry, but I'm also considering new tires. I'm not sure how the tires with this many miles would perform up in snowy and wet conditions. What do you guys suggest? I prefer to keep these tires until worn out, but also don't want to find myself in a ditch.

 

I have a ‘17 Pro. The OEM Goodyears were terrible here in MN the one winter I had them. They did get me through that whole winter though, so you’re not gonna end up in a ditch just because of the tires. You’ll be ok for your trip. Low speed and long following distances will be your best bets.

That said, when you get new tires, shop around and get some good ones. Lots of better options out there.

 

Should I worry about the tread wear and mileage? It’s still above the wear bars.

That’s the plan though, looking at Hankooks for the future set up.

 

You'll be fine. Just take 'er easy and upgrade once you wear your OEM tires out.

I run Duratracs on my tacos, but there's plenty of other awesome choices as well!

Just keep this in the back of your mind: 4 wheel drive does not mean 4 wheel stop. The stock tires will let you get yourself into plenty of trouble if you aren't driving smart.

 

Thanks for the advice! You probably saved me a ton $$$ on new tires. I won’t be going crazy there, we just want to see some snow.

 

No you’ll still be fine if there is some meat on them.

 

Drop your tire pressures. I can't believe no one has suggested that. It increases your footprint and reduces the twitchiness in handling. I drop to 25 and the michelin defender ltx tires (not what I consider a good snow tread) do really well. If it's straight ugly conditions out, I'll drop to 18 psi. You have to adjust your driving speeds accordingly. I don't go over 30 at 18psi.

 

Sigh. This again.

Do not drop your tire pressure with OEM tires driving on snowy roads. You want the weight of the vehicle to push down on a small contact patch to let the tread and siping do their job in the snow...

Unless you're in a position where you need to float through the snow (which you won't be, and can't be with OEM tires) do not air down your tires for winter driving on paved roads.

 

I had to wait this year a little bit to get my new snow tires delivered and put on, so I had to drive through a bit of snow storm on original good years. They were like yours, still just above the threshold for junking them. They were TERRIBLE in the snow (northern Ontario perspective).

If you have chains, I would put them on as early as possible and drive like that. But if you can afford good dedicated winter tires, go for those. Night and day difference.

Edit: I never air down in the snow, and I don't know anyone who does. If it is cold enough, pressures drop the down a bit anyways, but I keep them close to spec.

 

When I researched, I saw someone recommended these:

$90 SCC SZ441 Super Z6 Cable Tire Chain for Passenger Cars, Pickups, and SUVs - Set of 2, silver

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HZFDQE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_i5t6Fb0JCH0Q9

I bought a pair for the rear wheel in case things get too icy. Plus, I’ll need to have them on me during inspection since they may require chain.

 

Find yourself some cheap steelies. I bought a set of 4 for $50 locally. Throw on some dedicated snow tires and call it a day.

 

All of that siping. Mmmmm

 

And like a good winter tire....stays nice and soft in stupid cold temps

 

Back around 2010, I had a 1994 rwd s10 standard cab, manual pos. It had summer tires on it. We had 3 blizzards that year in Northern Virginia. I'm talking knee to belly button depth. During one of them, I filled the bed with snow, lowered my summer tires to 15 and drove from Leesburg, Va to Harper's Ferry, WV, proper. Then back home. Hardly a vehicle on the road, except plows. I did this in a 2 wheel drive pick up that couldn't get up my own street with 35psi in my tires.

So why did that work when you say no, it doesn't?

 

Another question, unrelated to tires. I'm about to drive through very cold weather (below 5F degrees). Is there anything else that I'll need to prepare for? I believe the truck is still running the original anti-freeze coolant and motor oil was changed about a month ago at the dealer.

 

You're fine. That's not very cold relatively speaking.

 

Thanks Kairo!