Hello Colorado! (Winter driving question)

pequeno_bonsai [OP] · 12-09-2012, 10:55 AM

Hello Colorado!

I wanted to introduce myself as I've settled into the region after relocating from the east coast earlier this year.

Largely stock (for now) 2012 black FJ. Photo of the cruiser attached - taken in Moab, UT.

I do have a question regarding CO winter driving. I'm used to driving in the snow with my previous vehicles but this is the first winter with the rig. Do any of you switch out your tires for the winter if you take just a couple of trips to the mountains? If so, what have you chosen? I heard the Blizzak tires are a good choice. I have had the tires slip on the snow (mostly ice) covered roads in my neighborhood when driving in 2wd - I have the stock tires for now. 4WD performs great.

Thanks, all!

**Ti Toaster** · 12-09-2012, 12:28 PM

Hey ya. Congrats on your new FJ!!
There are a lot of posts and threads on here about tires for snow driving so see if a search will find you something specific about the Blizzaks. I had a set of these for a truck, and they were really great. But when I bought the FJ, I went with simply getting the BFG AT KO's. They are the "severe condition" version, with the snow flake on them. Not all sizes are rated this way.

I know for a fact that the stock tires on the FJ are crapola. I literally got stuck on packed snow in a parking lot. Not kidding....2 inch, packed snow, sat and spun. Had to call a tow truck as there was a SLIGHT incline to the lot, and no one could push me up!!!

I am sure that a dedicated set of snow tires would really make your FJ utterly awesome for driving in storms on the highways etc. You may want to see what others think about simply getting a great set of AT tires instead, as snow tires wear out, can guzzle more gas than AT tires, and can be a pain to have to change tires every winter. I live in some super snowy areas, and the BFG AT KOs do pretty good, and I can get off road in them and they do awesome. In stock sizes, the MPG didn't really change at all, a bit in the city as they are heavier and more resistance. But I do know that every time I used snow tires, combined with winter gas blends really ate at the MPG.

There are two things to watch out for, as I found a week ago up at Timberline Lodge. 1) The a$$ end of the FJ loves to kick out at the WORST time on hills. Be really careful about trying to control speed with 'downshifting' with it. Gravity really effects the FJ, and the butt end has a mind of it's own, regardless of tires. 2) 4WD does not mean 4WStop...if you are looking for a lot of assurance and confidence when driving on the streets and highways in snow country, then snow tires with good sipping for ice/snow is a very attractive feature, and the proper compounds to flex and conform to the street. That would be the only real reason I would think of getting dedicated snows, as opposed to great AT tires. Great off road traction is NOTHING like great on road traction in cruddy conditions.

Others will chime in and have some solid advice. I hope someone with dedicated snows replies, as I would like to hear their experience myself.

Great luck, and enjoy your FJ!

**Ti Toaster** · 12-09-2012, 12:46 PM

Found this thread for you. Some good info.

Best Snow Tires?

**Desert_Fox** · 12-09-2012, 12:48 PM

Welcome

Tires will be your friend so get the correct ones.

Here in Colorado Springs you have to be careful of the hills. I dont think there is a level road in this town. When the roads get icy people get stopped going up a hill and end up sliding back down or into the vehicle behind them. I have watched cars at a complete stop just start sliding out of control.

fj4M&E · 12-09-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

pequeno_bonsai previously said:

Hello Colorado!

I wanted to introduce myself as I've settled into the region after relocating from the east coast earlier this year.

Largely stock (for now) 2012 black FJ. Photo of the cruiser attached - taken in Moab, UT.

I do have a question regarding CO winter driving. I'm used to driving in the snow with my previous vehicles but this is the first winter with the rig. Do any of you switch out your tires for the winter if you take just a couple of trips to the mountains? If so, what have you chosen? I heard the Blizzak tires are a good choice. I have had the tires slip on the snow (mostly ice) covered roads in my neighborhood when driving in 2wd - I have the stock tires for now. 4WD performs great.

Thanks, all!

All depends on where you're at...If your in the Denver or front range area area and going up to the mountains for just a couple trips BFG AT's are just fine. I ran BFG AT's stock size for several years and live in Denver. If your going to be living in the mountains I'll let one of those guys chime in for a dedicated winter tire.

If you're running the stock Duncraps I'd look into a different tire and quick.

Welcome to Colorado

pequeno_bonsai [OP] · 12-09-2012, 03:23 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome, all!

Appreciate the detailed responses and links.

Sounds like the Hakk 5 and BFG AT KOs are fan favorites.

I really don't want to go with a studded tire so I suppose it will be between the BFG AT KO and Blizzak DM-V1 for my personal needs. (Living down near Castle Rock.) Question: will the KO fit if I don't have the TRD off-road package? BFG's site doesn't seem to think so...

snafu58 · 12-09-2012, 03:37 PM

I'm over on the banana belt side of the state. Spent two years driving over the I-70 passes twice a week. I swear by the GoodYear DuraTrac. There have been times when I never used 4X4 when others were sliding all over the place. I used to run winter and summer tires, but now it's the same tire year round.

fj4M&E · 12-09-2012, 03:39 PM

Quote:

pequeno_bonsai previously said:

Thanks for the warm welcome, all!

Appreciate the detailed responses and links.

Sounds like the Hakk 5 and BFG AT KOs are fan favorites.

I really don't want to go with a studded tire so I suppose it will be between the BFG AT KO and Blizzak DM-V1 for my personal needs. (Living down near Castle Rock.) Question: will the KO fit if I don't have the TRD off-road package? BFG's site doesn't seem to think so...

I think you said you were running stock 265 70 17...If so they will fit and they have the little snow flake stamped on the side

**Ti Toaster** · 12-09-2012, 03:45 PM

Yup. You don't need anything. You can go with stock size that is on your vehicle. If you have the 17" rims, you can go with the stock 265/70/17 which is Severe Weather rated. You can go a size or two larger: 275, or 285/70r17. However, I don't think they are Severe Rated. Stock works fine, looks great, and performs and wears really well.

To be honest, if I were going to be seeing snow and having to drive in it once every month at least, I would get those Hakk 5s or the Blizzak you mentioned. The BFG KOs are a pretty firm tire to start with, and the compound is tougher for obvious reasons. "Snow tires" are made with softer compounds so they flex and grip and can lay tread completely over iced slush and push things away from the tire. BFG ATKO's simply attack it and throw it....dig into it. They aren't made for highway travel...they are an All Terrain, as they are labeled. Tons of FJ owners get me, and learn how to drive on them. It does take some getting use to on highways and streets when it's nasty out.

Be awesome if you could pick up a one year used set of snows just to build confidence and learn how to handle and drive the FJ in those mountains. I was in Boston for a couple years when I first got the FJ, and man let me tell you, it was a huge learning experience!! I drove in snow my whole life, cars and small trucks, and the FJ was totally new to me. Yes, the Duncraps were on then.....but my pick up had snows in the winter, and it went EVERYWHERE with no slip, no sliding, no weird back end kicks, and no real trouble stopping.

Again, ask around and message some of the guys that DO use and have snows, and get their input.

Be safe!

Quote:

pequeno_bonsai previously said:

Thanks for the warm welcome, all!

Appreciate the detailed responses and links.

Sounds like the Hakk 5 and BFG AT KOs are fan favorites.

I really don't want to go with a studded tire so I suppose it will be between the BFG AT KO and Blizzak DM-V1 for my personal needs. (Living down near Castle Rock.) Question: will the KO fit if I don't have the TRD off-road package? BFG's site doesn't seem to think so...

**Ti Toaster** · 12-09-2012, 03:49 PM

Those really are great tires. The Silent Armor ones are awesome too, and handle freaking great in bad weather on streets. They have tons of siping and stuff, and grip the road I think better then the BFGs handle on streets. However, I did notice they were heavier, and all that awesome grip also meant killing about 2mpg!! Switched to the BFG in the same size, and back to stock MPG....but they aren't as good as those Dura or Silent on the street and trails.
I think the Dura look bad ass too.

Quote:

snafu58 previously said:

I'm over on the banana belt side of the state. Spent two years driving over the I-70 passes twice a week. I swear by the GoodYear DuraTrac. There have been times when I never used 4X4 when others were sliding all over the place. I used to run winter and summer tires, but now it's the same tire year round.