Snow Tires

[40Man]

Nope, just one set of 5 TPMS sensors is supported on my 2013LC - may be different on other years, but I doubt it.

HTH

Bummer, thanks for the clarification. Understanding Toyota’s direct and indirect TPMS - Tire Review Magazine

I remember reading this when getting the 2nd set for my T4R. Wish it were true. Will have to look into the cloning option. Supporting two sets would be a nice feature.

 

[TeCKis300]

Hey Guys,

We're planning on going to the local mountains tomorrow and Cal Trans shows this on their site:

CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS

Are the stock Bridgestones considered Snow tires? The last thing I want to do is turn back to buy some chains.

Harry

CA is a different animal as it's more about bureaucratic rules that are enforced. These rules tend to be over and above what you'd find in real snow country. Partly because it has to be that way with all the unseasoned and entitled Socal drivers going into the mountains, probably for the first time in their lives. Separates the prepared from the naive.

From 20 years of visiting Tahoe/Mammoth. If you have 4WD they will wave you through. They won't check for a snowflake symbol. If it's really bad, on the verge of being shut down, they will still wave you through (not mandating you strap on chains), but may ask if you have chains with you in case. I've carried chains of the wrong size from my previous car, just to have something to show, though they've never asked.

 

[Sandroad]

No experience with my 200 on winter tires, but my Outback is amazing in the winter with Michelin X-ice tires. I see that Michelin makes the LTX Winter tire in a 275/65-18 and if I needed "no-excuses" tires for my 200 in the winter, I'd go with those. However, my 200 is not my DD in the winter, so I'm happy with the LTX MS/2.

 

[gaijin]

Bummer, thanks for the clarification. Understanding Toyota’s direct and indirect TPMS - Tire Review Magazine

I remember reading this when getting the 2nd set for my T4R. Wish it were true. Will have to look into the cloning option. Supporting two sets would be a nice feature.

This paragraph in your link is simply not true - as you have noted:

Land Cruisers have a “MAIN/2nd” switch. This allows the owner to have two different sets of tires and wheels with two different sets of TPMS valve/sensor ID numbers. For example, the second set could be used for winter tires.

There is no such "MAIN/2nd" switch in the Land Cruiser.

Just to be clear.

HTH

 

[SQRRRL]

I'm pretty comfortable driving in the snow, but I'm more worried about the CHP making me turn back because I don't have chains. Not a good thing with 2 kids under the age of 3

Just got back from the Sierra and was in the mother of storms. R3 conditions require 4x4 to at least carry chains and I had to have chains on 4x4. Most of the time you must show your chains to CHP. Last time I chained up my 4x4 was 2010. My 200 is home stock and kicked ass. That being said chains will hall you stop as well as moving forward.
I notice your from Burbank. Any tire with MS rating will be OK. I would purchase chains and carry them just in case.

 

[Markuson]

CA is a different animal as it's more about bureaucratic rules that are enforced. These rules tend to be over and above what you'd find in real snow country. Partly because it has to be that way with all the unseasoned and entitled Socal drivers going into the mountains, probably for the first time in their lives. Separates the prepared from the naive.

From 20 years of visiting Tahoe/Mammoth. If you have 4WD they will wave you through. They won't check for a snowflake symbol. If it's really bad, on the verge of being shut down, they will still wave you through (not mandating you strap on chains), but may ask if you have chains with you in case. I've carried chains of the wrong size from my previous car, just to have something to show, though they've never asked.

As a Kalifornistanian...I must say you are spot on. People here often have no clue how to drive in snow. Also true that I've never been stopped or questioned in my 100 or 200 (100 was fully built, and 200 clearly has ATs).

 

[Bigwood]

We must have chains in the car but nobody said they actually need to fit.
My understanding of the snow tire requirement is that if you end up causing a accident and you are found not to have the appropriate tires on your car...it is ticket time!

 

[40Man]

This paragraph in your link is simply not true - as you have noted:

Land Cruisers have a “MAIN/2nd” switch. This allows the owner to have two different sets of tires and wheels with two different sets of TPMS valve/sensor ID numbers. For example, the second set could be used for winter tires.

There is no such "MAIN/2nd" switch in the Land Cruiser.

Just to be clear.

HTH

Looks like at least some 100 lcs may have a secondary button in the glove box to run a second set . Shame we do not. I was not aware of cloning, so I will have to look into that a bit. Currently my t4r winter wheels have no tpms, which is not a huge concern for me. How to turn off flashing TPMS light?

 

[SQRRRL]

We must have chains in the car but nobody said they actually need to fit.
My understanding of the snow tire requirement is that if you end up causing a accident and you are found not to have the appropriate tires on your car...it is ticket time!

I'm not going to try to pull a fast one on the CHP. All I know is the 200 crushes it in the snow without chains. Most impressed with its ability. I chained up because R3 conditions were in effect and I didn't want to get turned around going to the mountain to get blower POW.
Sorry for not proof reading my last post. : (

 

[Redbull]

Stock tire-LC got me through what everybody else was getting stuck in. To be fair about the picture: that was the baby Honda SUV based on the Fit compact.

However there is no replacement for snow tires when there is ice, that is for sure.

 

[mooneywa]

Just got back from 10 days in Jackson Hole and a drive to and from Houston. Snowed about 20" while we were there and the stock size KO2s did great. On the way home lots of drifted, iced over, packed snow on US 287 and I-80. Did not feel super comfortable on there as it was clear it was very slick. I don't know that there's a tire short of studded or maaaaybe Blizzaks that would allow you to charge through something that slick no problem. The KO2s did fine at 55mph on those stretches.

For Wyoming, it specifically says a Mud and Snow tire combined with 4WD will suffice when chain laws are in effect. The OE Bridgestone's have the M+S designation although I doubt they'd do much in either. In the days leading up to getting the KO2s I drove in some snow in the OE Bridgestones and found generally that the traction systems in the cruiser did all the work, the tires not so much.

I've heard anecdotally that Colorado can give people a bad time about their tires, especially on I-70. I've never heard of the WSP giving anyone a care about their tires, then again Wyoming seems to be big-boy-country and doesn't nanny you. I can't remember a time where a specific chain law has gone into effect on I-80 with the exception of Cheyenne to Laramie. The Laramie to Rawlins area, especially Elk Mountain is usually just closed and they don't even bother with chains. Usually a wind issue vice a snow depth.

 

[mappable]

are most of you running two sets of wheels, one for winter, the other set for the other 3 seasons?

i drove to colorado over christmas and was a little freaked out by the packed snow and ice over Monarch Pass.

 

[SQRRRL]

are most of you running two sets of wheels, one for winter, the other set for the other 3 seasons?

i drove to colorado over christmas and was a little freaked out by the packed snow and ice over Monarch Pass.

One set of tires. Some times it does not matter what kind of tire you are running. The roads or just slick. Drive slower.

 

[Dan Higgins]

I run Blizzacks, Ice3's and Haks. A good winter tire is 2-3 times as good as a A/T tire on ice in my experience and that is why I use them. Something else may get you by wherever you are but you are not maximizing your odds. Soft or even deep snow is totally different challenge. Snow gets you stuck. Ice gets you killed.

So which do you prefer? I had Haks in the past and thought they were great. Thinking of doing it again. Doing a trip to Jackson Hole then north and eventually over to Seattle. Then back. More concerned about ice than snow. And I think I want to do a more supple tire then my E-rated KO2s as I won't be towing our trailer or doing any off road. So also looking for something "comfortably" on pavement.

 

[elkeye]

So which do you prefer? I had Haks in the past and thought they were great. Thinking of doing it again. Doing a trip to Jackson Hole then north and eventually over to Seattle. Then back. More concerned about ice than snow. And I think I want to do a more supple tire then my E-rated KO2s as I won't be towing our trailer or doing any off road. So also looking for something "comfortably" on pavement.

if you prefer a non-studded winter tire, take a look at the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV - Non-studded Tires / Nokian Tires


if you prefer a studded winter tire, take a look at the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV - Studded Tires / Nokian Tires

 

[Dan Higgins]

if you prefer a non-studded winter tire, take a look at the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV - Non-studded Tires / Nokian Tires


if you prefer a studded winter tire, take a look at the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV - Studded Tires / Nokian Tires

Thanks. I'm going to go with the Hakka R2 SUVs. For some reason I didn't see the SUV version the first time I looked at their website and the on-SUV version didn't have the size we need. But I then found the SUV version - which does (provided I don't exceed 106mph). Had Nokians on my LR4 and loved them.

 

[elkeye]

Thanks. I'm going to go with the Hakka R2 SUVs. For some reason I didn't see the SUV version the first time I looked at their website and the on-SUV version didn't have the size we need. But I then found the SUV version - which does (provided I don't exceed 106mph). Had Nokians on my LR4 and loved them.

If your using 18" rims, now you need to decide if you want 275/65x18 or 285/60x18 (both have the same max load rating of 2760 lbs).

I'm running 275/65x18's on a 2015 LC (since the narrower tire seems to do a better job in the deep snow that can be found in the parking areas on Rabbit Ear and Cameron passes in CO and Teton Pass in WY).

If your skiing Jackson Hole, check out Grand Targhee

 

[Dan Higgins]

Great suggestion (the tires). I was going to ask people if it is better to go narrower when doing snow tires. I think I have heard this elsewhere.

As for skiing, no. Just photography. Hung up the skiis a few years back. Love the Teton area, though. Spent a week in a condo in Teton Pine a few years back. Early September but about 2 weeks too early to see the leaves turn and the elk rut. Saw lots of moose, though! This time hoping to get some good shots of the mountains in the morning. I haven't been there in the winter.

 

[Dan Higgins]

275s or 285s for snow? Did a little "research" on the narrower vs wider tires for snow. Yikes. Lots of debate out there! Some of you all run 275s so you can get a bit more height in the tire. If I go from 285s to 275s in my snow tires how will that effect the driving? (I run 285/65R18 E-rated KO2s for my normal tires.)

 

[elkeye]

Great suggestion (the tires). I was going to ask people if it is better to go narrower when doing snow tires. I think I have heard this elsewhere.

Why is Narrower Better in Winter Conditions? - Hunter's Ramblings about Performance wheels & tire | Tire Rack


"Why does Tire Rack recommend narrower tires for winter use?"

"It's all about physics. Wider tire sizes have to plow through the snow which causes more resistance and a tendency to float. A narrower option, with a smaller contact patch, has more weight per square inch that helps the tire cut through the ice and snow.

...

How do you know what the correct tire size is if you're going smaller? Your vehicle manufacturer will typically have options listed in the owner's manual or on the placard found on the the inside of the driver side door. Also, when you shop by vehicle we provide an extensive list of minus size options for your vehicle's winter driving needs."



NOTE: Neither TireRack nor Toyota recommend 275/65x18 tires for the LandCruiser. If you decide to run a winter tire size other than 285/60x18, you will be assuming the risk. While I made the personal decision to run a narrower winter tire on my 2015 LC, I am not a tire expert. Talk to a tire expert before making your decision!