Winter tires

Blizzak DM-V2 . Have Used the different variations of these tires for many years o different vehicles and they are always solid tires. I put mine on in November and take them off 1st week of April. I get typically 5 winters out of a set of 4 with regular rotations and making sure i don't forego getting an alignment when it's needed and alignment checked every time i get it serviced and proper inflation of course. 4 winters is optimal for a set of these tires but you can push it to 5 but at the end of the 5th winter it's pretty clear their best days are behind them and you need a new set.

 

Thnx bud, thats the info I was looking for.

 

My Blizzaks were the first set of tires on my truck when I picked it up new in February 2018 in Whitehorse, Yukon. Only ran them about 4000Ks that first winter all in the Arctic. The tread wear in colder climate is almost unnoticable. Every winter since I've run them about 8000K in Toronto and Montreal. I wait as late as possible before putting them on in the city and I'm very careful to get them off the truck when the temperature starts to rise. This might be the last winter I get out of them but their performance hasn't dropped even with an 18 year old using the truck most of the time.

 

I just got my current Taco. It's a new off road premium. Had a 2016 trd sport before. The new one has General Tire Grabber AT. We have snow and ice on the roads here and so far no problems. Never took it out of 4hi. Plan to keep on for the summer.

 

I don't have a lift so I got my Blizzaks in OEM 265/65/17. I since got a set of Kumho MT tires in 265/70/17 that give the truck a nicer stance even with factory suspension. My Blizzaks might need replacing after this winter and I've wondered about going a bit bigger with the replacements but I've read that winter tires and rims should go down a size. I think I'll choose better aesthetics of taller skinny tires for my next winters over whatever marginal gain a smaller diametre manages.

 

I live is a heavy snow state. I gave up on tire swapping and just run Goodyear duratrac year round.

 

Those of you that run a separate set of winter tires, do you bother with TPMS or no?

 

Don't bother with TPMS on my Blizzaks on FJC steelies. I park close enough to my summers that the light only goes on after 30 minutes of driving out of town.

Winters make the difference between tip-toeing around in snowy icy conditions, and just getting there. Blizzaks don't spin, no ABS lights, no TCS cutting in, none of the nannies get excited- you just go where you point the truck.

 

I bought TPMS sensors for my winter rims and ive been running on the same ones for going into 6 winters. I know many don't use TPMS sensors on winter tires because of the cost and just ignore the warning light but i thought it was worth the money. I bought aftermarket ones and not OEM ones and haven't had an issue.

 

I use clone Autel 315MX sensors to the OEM sensor ID#s in my other wheels so the truck only knows/sees the same 4 ID#s.

 

Same here.

 

What state doesn't get above 45 degrees Fahrenheit in summer?

 

I don't have TPMS.

 

Currently running Hakka SUV R2s on my 4R as well for a few years now and I can't say that I would ever purchase them again. I feel they drift or float too much and don't offer the best traction during stopping. They are great on freshly plowed hardpack but not very good on anything else. I seem to be in the minority on this. I'm running them in stock size and really just waiting for them to wear out so I can replace them but they will most likely go on my Taco that should be arriving Decemberish.

I had a set of Yokohama Geolandar I/T G072s on my 2nd Gen Taco in a 245/75R16 that were incredible.

 

Love my Blizzaks. Yes, I run TPMS on my winter tires.

 

Studded duratracs are the way to go

 

i am running continental vikingcontact 7 winter tires in 245/70/16. They are pretty awesome, very quiet tires and so far its the best winter tires ive had

 

Do you do ok in 2wd in snow with the duratracs? Looking for a do it all tire for my 5 lug. In central VA so maybe 2-3 days of snow driving. Next option is getting 2 more steel wheels with winter tires on the rear (Hercules avalanche RT)

 

Minnesota only gets a few months of +45F weather, the rest is cold and snowing.

 

When I bought the off-road I had the stock Goodyear wrangler kevler.. which were good, but I don’t like Goodyear tires. I got the Michelin LTX AT/2’s after 27K,which were great in light trails, snow, rain, and highway. Phenomenal wear! Great gas mileage! They are not made for the 16’s anymore. But recently I got the BF Goodrich All Trail Terrain TA now at 89K, great gas mileage, excellent handling, balance, and grip. Not much difference in weight compared to the Michelin’s. Can’t wait for the ultimate test of snow. Awesome price at Costcos.