[JTDTacoma]

I was driving home in 2wd because the roads looked fine and out of the blue the ass end of my 08 sport wants to lead me down the road. Scared the crap out of me! I wasn't braking, accelerating, nothing. The same thing happened to my wife last night on obviously slick roads that appeared fine. I could drive in 4wd whenever the roads aren't bone dry but don't think I should have to.

My question is: Would a better all season M/S tire help with the sudden fishtailing? If I bitch to Toyota maybe they'll do something about it. My tires only have 600 miles on them. Guess I could sell on ebay or something if Toyota won't help.

 

[demoncleaner]

Toyota won't do anything. They'll tell you to slow down. A better M+S tire will help in snow, mud, and rain, but any all-season on ice is gonna spin. Having an LSD rear is good but also can be bad, like in your case, can come around quicker than an open diff.


See treefarm's post.#67
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=215383&page=5&highlight=snow

 

[Trail Gator]

M/S tires FTW.

 

[Nicky9]

Not much you can do with ice but try to avoid it. Tires unless studded will loose traction. I have the same tires as you with 20 on the rears and 40k on the fronts... i have had no issues with snow or mud when new. As they age... the traction is reduced (logical). But ATs will do the same thin on ice. ITs a different beast. Just try to be aware of temperature drops and look for the ice. Black ice can be a bitch but i usually am aware of certian conditions... and try to adjust for them.

You dont see hockey players or any of the Disney on Ice skaters on rubber skates do you?

Good luck and be careful out there.

 

[SMEbay]

Please... it's the ice that is scary. Don't blame Toyota or Bridgestone.

ONLY a very good ice tire such as the Blizzak is intended to be of much use under these kinds of conditions.

I also have the LSD rear, and I can also tell you, once the rear begins to kick loose, you have lost ALL traction at the rear. At least an open diff might retain some small grip, but the lsd is all or nothing.

If you have a 4x4, use it. Either 4wd or 2wd, get 400lbs to 600lbs in the bed over the rear axle.

Lastly... imagine a raw egg between your foot and the pedals, and drive like you don't want to break that egg!

This recent experience of yours... it was a gift! Learn from it, drive safe! I'm really glad nothing bad happened. You were lucky. We've all read too many accounts of folks trashing their trucks in bad weather.

P.S. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. I found those bridgestones to be best between 30 and 34psi in the nasty weather.

good luck.

 

[Jeffrich21]

Regardeless of the tires I've noticed better traction and control with at least 250-350 lbs in the back, just as SMEbay had mentioned.

 

[JTDTacoma]

Thanks- guess I underestimated LSD with an empty bed. Anyway, glad I have 4wd and now know I need to use it more.

 

[SeanD]

LSD's are scary and dangerouts on ice, too many folks think they are a good thing and on ice they are not. Blizzaks or studded tires, are I run studded tires on my sport.

 

[zmtnbik]

I'm carrying 360lbs of sand in the back of my truck...from October - April. You can never be too safe....and SLOW DOWN.

There are numerous threads on this, including one member who got in 2 accidents in as many weeks due to slick conditions.

 

[lrak]

Not at it helps, but after reading this thread I think you'll agree you drive like a teenage girl from Florida ... :ugh3:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=230104

I've always had front wheel drive vehicles and would prefer not to experience what you just did while on a public road. Therefore I'm in the 6-8 week waiting period for a truck because the New England region doesn't order any DC Tacomas with VSC or Side Airbags. If you want to complain to Toyota, I would complain about the lack of availabilty of these safety features.

 

[JTDTacoma]

I've driven close to a million miles in Iowa/Minnesota so definately not a Florida teen here. I was going 35 and straight up a slight incline. Just surprised when the truck did that as you would be too.

 

[Mike38]

I agree with SeanD. Get some decent snow (maybe even studded) tires for the winter time. Learned my lesson the hard way. The Bridgestones are nice tires to drive around on the highway with...but they were never designed to be ice material. They were designed to provide a smooth ride to meet the average demand of the market. Somewhere there is a long thread about this. - But yea, if it worries you, either be constantly aware of it and use 4wd or just get some winter tires.
Mike

 

[Remarkable]

I did not care for the stock Bridgestone tires at all in snow or ice. I went to Bridgestone Revo's and all was 100% better. I slid out all the time on those stock tires and I drive like a frickin' grandpa.

 

[Jeddak]

Check my signature. I HATE stock Slippery Trails in winter.

 

[GreySky72]

I love Arizona in the winter...! Its almost 70 out right now...

 

[lotust]

I did not read this post. but ANY TIRE besides a studded tire = Scary on ice

 

[SeanD]

.

This is my 2006. Freezing rain/black ice and a ponderosa at 50mph impact speed. Ice sucks.

 

[lotust]

.

This is my 2006. Freezing rain/black ice and a ponderosa at 50mph impact speed. Ice sucks.

ouch! I will say it first. "that should buff out" :lol:

 

[xedge]

I did not read this post. but ANY TIRE besides a studded tire = Scary on ice

EXACTLY! :thumbup:

 

[Kennyroo]

I think 4WD lulls people into a false sense of security. 4WD helps you accelerate, and go through stuff like mud and snow. It won't help you stop any quicker (all vehicles have 4-wheel braking), and if you do start to slide, it's better to have the front tires free-wheeling and maintaining traction to help you steer.