"All weather" tires in place of winter tires

[Toadman]

I just picked up a new Rav4 that came with DUNLOP GRANDTREK PT20's in snow. This is my first Toyota and not sure how well it will handle in the snow. In the past, I put snow tires on our Subi but my tire guy (independent shop) thought they would be ok. Anyone have experience with this tire? They get really bad reviews on TireRack but decent reviews on Discount Tire. Like most people here, we're driving in the mountains every weekend.

It's an OE tire. It's not going to be good at anything other than probably designed to maximize RR (rolling resistance) for the fuel economy.

[Djongo Unchained]

I just picked up a new Rav4 that came with DUNLOP GRANDTREK PT20's in snow. This is my first Toyota and not sure how well it will handle in the snow. In the past, I put snow tires on our Subi but my tire guy (independent shop) thought they would be ok. Anyone have experience with this tire? They get really bad reviews on TireRack but decent reviews on Discount Tire. Like most people here, we're driving in the mountains every weekend.

Just by looking at the tread pattern, those are far from winter conditions tires. Hilly slick conditions or traveling at hwy. speeds would be too unpredictable for me. Un-siped and tight grooves make for minimal traction.
I'd either get them siped or just get some dedicated snows

[2FUNKY]

Just by looking at the tread pattern, those are far from winter conditions tires. Hilly slick conditions or traveling at hwy. speeds would be too unpredictable for me. Un-siped and tight grooves make for minimal traction.
I'd either get them siped or just get some dedicated snows

Yeep. Thems summer tires. No way would I run those in the winter personally.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[XXX-er]

It's an OE tire. It's not going to be good at anything other than probably designed to maximize RR (rolling resistance) for the fuel economy.

or getting the vehical off the lot

[slcdawg]

That is what I suspected. Great infi - thanks all.

[Backward_Banana]

sorry in advance. Read through 20 min of this thread and didn’t get a consensus.

My partners 2011 rav4 needs new tires yesterday. She ran Nokian wr g3 for 60k miles and liked them. Should we just go ahead get the new g4 and be done with it, or something else to consider?

G4 is just as good as the G3, I've been super happy with it.

[slcdawg]

Are G4s pretty good in snow? I've been running blizzaks year round on my subi and pretty happy with wear and snow performance.

[Backward_Banana]

IME they're awesome, especially in the NW where you're driving in rain/slush as much as snow, but I also did a season in BC with them, never had any issues. As long as the car isn't high-centered it keeps moving.

New to me car this year, decided to go with dedicated snows since I had summer tires. I'll be curious to see if I can tell a difference.

[El Chupacabra]

I have Nokian G4 on my Honda Ridgeline. Put them on last fall for the insane winter Tahoe had. They're solid. Seem to wear a bit quickly - I don't remember the tread measurements, but there was measureable wear. I drove it around 6500 miles on those tires.

Just swapped them on for this winter.

[funkendrenchman]

The G4s on my Outback lasted just over 30k.

[El Chupacabra]

I should add - the ones I have are labeled WRG4 SUV. 245/60/18. IDK how it compares to the non "SUV" labeled version, but the tread pattern looks the same on both.

[Mustonen]

I should add - the ones I have are labeled WRG4 SUV. 245/60/18. IDK how it compares to the non "SUV" labeled version, but the tread pattern looks the same on both.

Went down that rabbit hole recently. Should just be sidewall thickness. SUV will last longer if you need the extra support. If you don’t it’s sort of whatever. Harsher and heavier with no benefit.

[singlecross]

[Djongo Unchained]

Center dude in trenchcoat is hammering a doob real quick like.

[anotherVTskibum]

Nokian comparison: https://youtu.be/nCiORPE-U0I?si=TM8F66r4j8r7j2w0

(R5 vs WRG G4 vs Outpost vs HT)

[auvgeek]

^^ really neat video.

I also just saw this one from the same channel comparing various ATs in the snow. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tVSHMnkf0gY

Guess I’m gonna have to walk back my G015 love. Sounds like the BFG Trail Terrain was the category leader in snow for moderate ATs.

Looks like the test was P-rated not LT-rated. Wish they’d do a similar test with aggressive ATs in LT-rated sizes, too.

[anotherVTskibum]

^^ really neat video.

I also just saw this one from the same channel comparing various ATs in the snow. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tVSHMnkf0gY

Guess I’m gonna have to walk back my G015 love. Sounds like the BFG Trail Terrain was the category leader in snow for moderate ATs.

Looks like the test was P-rated not LT-rated. Wish they’d do a similar test with aggressive ATs in LT-rated sizes, too.

I made a similar comment re LT tires on the video, in reply to someone else who suggested the same. Video author said it was a very niche thing and he wasn't sure he'd get to it, but that's why there's a serious lack of info in that niche.

[slcdawg]

Ended up getting blizzaks. On sale at Costco for $600.... Hard to pass up.

[skaredshtles]

Ended up getting blizzaks. On sale at Costco for $600.... Hard to pass up.

You will be invincible now.

[auvgeek]

I made a similar comment re LT tires on the video, in reply to someone else who suggested the same. Video author said it was a very niche thing and he wasn't sure he'd get to it, but that's why there's a serious lack of info in that niche.

Wow, that’s surprising. Almost everyone I know runs an LT-rated aggressive AT. And many run them year round because they think winter performance is “fine.”

[slcdawg]

You will be invincible now.

Let's hope so! 🙂

[El Chupacabra]

Wow, that’s surprising. Almost everyone I know runs an LT-rated aggressive AT. And many run them year round because they think winter performance is “fine.”

Like everything tire related, depends on where you live and the winter conditions there. For many/ most, a LT AT tire is probably just fine.

If you live where winter looks like that test track in the video, for months on end, probably should just buy a true winter tire...

Tahoe, SLC, Colorado - an AT will be "fine."

[XXX-er]

A trip to the ditch is cost you > the price of snot tires and maybe your life

notice in these snow tire threads most people are talking about $$$$ as opposed to which is best

[El Chupacabra]

A trip to the ditch is cost you > the price of snot tires and maybe your life

notice in these snow tire threads most people are talking about $$$$ as opposed to which is best

"Best" is location and condition dependent. This thread is about all-weather tires, not truck, not winter.

While they may (or may not) be the "best" winter tire, using Hakkapeliitas if you live in Los Angeles and drive to Mammoth once a month is not the "best" tire for your usage. An all-weather tire is a much better choice for the 99% of the time you creep slowly in traffic on the 405 in 70* degree weather.

[auvgeek]

Like everything tire related, depends on where you live and the winter conditions there. For many/ most, a LT AT tire is probably just fine.

If you live where winter looks like that test track in the video, for months on end, probably should just buy a true winter tire...

Tahoe, SLC, Colorado - an AT will be "fine."

My comment was in response to the idea that LT-rated AT tires were “niche.”

I have winter tires and 3PMSF AT tires for both vehicles. No question that winter tires are superior.