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hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3583 iowa
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2008-11-29          158208


The original tires on our 07 Trailblazer 4 X 4 are getting to the so - so tread stage. Being we have a steep north sloping driveway ice is a bigger concern than snow. Brand loyalty doesn't mean much to me, just the best tire for the job. Anybody have any favorites? Thanks. Frank.



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DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
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2008-11-29          158213


Are studded tires legal back there in Heartland, USA?

In any case.... these are the tires many Alaskans use.

....


Link:   Nokian Hakkapeliitta Q

 

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DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
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2008-11-29          158214


Another link....... ....


Link:   

Click Here


 

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greg_g
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1816 Western Kentucky
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2008-11-29          158217


Down here in western KY, I drive more in winter rain than I do in snow or ice. As such, I wear Michelin HydroEdge for year-round use on my Mercedes. My pickup needs E-rated tires, that cuts the selection WAY down. But having the option to select 4wd makes up for that I guess.

But in conditions that you describe, I might consider going back to the old custom of seasonal tire changes. That said, my winter tire choice would be the Michelin Ice-X or Ice-Xi2

I wonder if ice-tire selection makes a difference between FWD cars and RWD cars(?)

//greg// ....


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harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
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2008-11-29          158218


Frank on my 04 TB I ordered from tirerack narrow tall tires mounted on steel wheels and delivered to door for $450. They were Winter Force a Blizzak knock off. Very good deep tread and heavily siped. The TB went everywhere every day.

New PU have $750 tied up in steel wheels, air pressure monitors and studded Master Craft deep lugs and heavily siped. These are also a tall narrow tire. These I had to purchase components 3 different places. Local company studded the tires and mounted.

Try tires r us (just kidding)! tirerack.com ....


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hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3583 iowa
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2008-11-29          158219


Studded tires must not be legal anymore, as you never see a tire shop advertising them. I haven't tried the internet sources yet. I'm just fishing for favorite tread styles or brands here for now. Frank. ....


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earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2008-11-29          158222


Years ago I got my full-size 4x4 with BF Goodrich tires siped until I realized that they were cutting my tires' mileage in half. And the siping had no noticeable affect that I could feel. When I plowed snow I kept the same tires on year round which were BFG Trail(something). They do well in all situations including mud. Of course my truck is a diesel so the added weight helps too.

Murf needs to weigh in on this one. Up yonder they offer a tire that is superior for winter driving. ....


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hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3583 iowa
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2008-11-29          158223


I must not know all the tire terms. What are you guys talking about tires that sipe? ....


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earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2008-11-29          158224


Frank, a sipe in a tire is a thin cut across the tire tread from sidewall to sidewall designed to hold snow and/or create more surface area to the roadway by creating or exposing little "wipers" or "squegees" like on a window cleaner. The sipes can either be molded in the tire when it's made, or can cut after the tire is made usually at the tire store. When they're molded in the tire they don't look anything like what a tire siping machine does. A tire siper makes thin cuts about a 1/4" apart all the way around the tire---picture taking a utility knife and cutting the tread crossways. When they're molded they are in the tread usually at the outside of the tire to reduce wear and noise. And they're usually not just straight lines--sometimes they're squiggly or alternating V shapes. Chances are your tires have them. And a lot of times on my tires they pick up little tiny stones too. ....


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hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3583 iowa
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2008-11-30          158226


EW; Thanks for getting me up to speed on tire terms, I've always noticed those little lines, but never knew they had a proper term. We got our first real snow of the season this morning, so let those little sipes go to work. ....


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cutter
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 1307 The South Shore of Lake Ontario, New York
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2008-11-30          158238


My Rubicon has BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires but they are stamped for M&S use, being a soft compound. They have huge lugs, no siping and seem a bit squirrelly in heavy rain but are a bear in the snow. As far as ice is concerned, the only thing I am aware of that can save you would be those studs along with soft rubber compound. For what it is worth, I checked the Consumer Reports testing of siped tires and they claim little difference with unsiped. ....


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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-12-01          158246


In order of best to best for the money (i.e. cheaper but still good) winter tires, IMHO;

Mark nailed numbers 1, 2 & 3, LOL , there's no beating the Nokias.

NExt would be Gislaved, only a titch behind the Nokias, standard footwear on all Volvo's & Saab's from the factory, and most Euro cars sold into Scandanavia. They kind of know about snow up there.

For a domestic choice, Greg has it already, Michelin X-ice (which is what I have on my AWD Mercedes) good tire for a reasonable price, not even too noisy on dry roads. Incredible stick on packed wet snow or ice, IMHO.

Past that, I have had really good luck with Cooper Discovery tires on my own pickup (with plow) and the pickups in the fleet, excellent tire for the money.

Best of luck. ....


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hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3583 iowa
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2008-12-01          158252


The tire dealer that has did all of our farm and car/pickup tires for years sells Miechlen and I think Cooper too, so I'll give him a call. Thanks for all the info. Frank. ....


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SamSpade
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 41 Vermont
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2008-12-11          158518


I know some of the midwest states are non studded states. Here in New England, I think they are still legal at least some of the year. Here in VT they are legal from october till april. I run studded tires on all my vehicles for the winter and dedicated summer tires the rest of the year.

For my full size van, I have had really good luck with the cooper truck snow tire (a ten ply tire, no idea of the model number). Even with two wheel drive I do fine with studs in our snowy icy winters. These are relatively inexpensive tires but they performed well and have gone a lot of miles.

I also use a tire I happend across, Power King, somebodies private label tire. Super deep lugs, very aggressive looking. A van I bought had a brand new one inside as the spare, never used and studded. I looked around a little to get a matching tire and have been very happy with them as a traction tire in the rear. They were a little more money than the cooper and are a little load on pavement.

I don't travel in my vans like I used to, so an aggressive load tire is OK as long as it holds the road.

mmp ....


Link:   Powerking tire

 
Picture Link


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AnnBrush
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 463 Troy OH
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2008-12-12          158541


My choice is easy - I don't have the money to justify having two sets of tires for each vehicle - so I just have what came with it when I purchased the corolla. My tire buying experience is limited to what is on sale at Wal-Mart. ....


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hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3583 iowa
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2008-12-12          158543


I'd pretty well decided to get the Coopers but a couple days before I went to see the dealer the Trail Blazer got rear ended by a hit and run driver. We got it back from the body shop yesterday. I did get the plate number but it was a stolen plate on a stolen car, so much for him having insurance. ....


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SamSpade
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 41 Vermont
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2008-12-12          158545


Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnBrush | view 158541
My choice is easy - I don't have the money to justify having two sets of tires for each vehicle - so I just have what came with it when I purchased the corolla. My tire buying experience is limited to what is on sale at Wal-Mart.


Running summer or all season tires in winter isn't an option here. Winter tires are soft and wear more easily especially in the heat of summer. I think I actually make out better financially having two sets. I get better mileage with my summer tires. And I don't buy any more tires having two sets, I just end up having the two sets twice as long.

What did you do to those bolts, anyway, looks like a story. ....


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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-12-15          158580


Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnBrush | view 158541
My choice is easy - I don't have the money to justify having two sets of tires for each vehicle - so I just have what came with it when I purchased the corolla. My tire buying experience is limited to what is on sale at Wal-Mart.


Up here that can be more expensive than actually spending the money to buy snows.

The insurance company's have been pressuring the police to lay charges or at least make a 'finding of fault' in cases where the vehicles are NOT equipped with winter tires. If you rear-end someone, or are involved in any sort of single vehicle accident or anything that the police feel was an 'avoidable accident' such as sliding through a stop sign or red light they will at the minimum put it in the report that it was due to the lack of winter tires.

In a lot of cases that is resulting in a denial of insurance coverage for the offending driver.

The Government is also seriously considering making it mandatory that all vehicles (including 4WD's & AWD's) be equipped with winter tires between December 15th & March 15th as has already been done in Quebec.

Best of luck. ....


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AnnBrush
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 463 Troy OH
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2008-12-15          158586


Lets do a survey: How many of you REALLY have two sets of tires for each car AND have them changed out every season.

I have two cars and each only has one set of tires until they are worn out and get replaced. So my inventory = 2 cars and 8 tires (excluding a spare carried on each vehicle - in both cases a pancake tire). ....


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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2008-12-15          158587


One car and one truck here, they each have one set of tires.

But given the ice storm we're having this week I'm giving serious consideration to buying a set of studded tires for the truck tomorrow.
....


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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-12-15          158588


Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnBrush | view 158586
Lets do a survey: How many of you REALLY have two sets of tires for each car AND have them changed out every season.


Personal vehicles (not fleet stuff & not 'specialty' stuff I only drive a few times a year);

Two SUV's - two full sets of tires and rims.

One car - two full sets of tires and rims.

One pickup - it wears big nasty tires all year round.

We may want to limit this to people who live in a part of the world where we get winter. ....


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AnnBrush
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 463 Troy OH
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2008-12-15          158589


Quote:
Originally Posted by Murf | view 158588
We may want to limit this to people who live in a part of the world where we get winter.


Yep - I was thinking that would make sense. In any case I am in Ohio so we do get winter ....


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earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2008-12-15          158590


Yup we get winter here in Deeetroit, not like we used to though. I can remember walking to school in knee-deep snow up hill, both ways. (Let's see if Kenny can figger that out)

In all my years of vehicle ownership I have never had two sets of tires. Winter RIMS, yes, to keep the polished aluminum nice (we use only salt for deicing here) ....


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hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3583 iowa
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2008-12-15          158591


Just one set for each, I used to do the two set thing but it got to be a pain. ....


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SamSpade
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 41 Vermont
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2008-12-15          158592


Let's see,

Honda Civic wagon (1991 RT4WD version, great car) I think 12 rims. Invested in a new set of rims last year as I was tired of the old rusty set going flat every 5 days. So I am down to 4 rims and tires for summer and winter. I suppose I could dispose of the rusty four at this point.

1995 Jetta, for my wife, 8 rims and tires, summer and winter. Has a pancake spare (I never heard it called that, but I like it) but since those aren't worth a darn, carry a full size from off season. A practice that is a side benefit of the winter and summer set lifestyle.

Full size Chevy G30 cargo van, last of a line of many. Hopefully Latest, though, not last. Tires and rims for summer and winter. Also have full 8 from previous van that was coincident with this one. And then there are at least another 8 under the barn from 3/4 ton vans of older vintage, But those are 5 lug, 15 inch and won't fit on the current van. Things have a way of stacking up as long as there is empty space in a barn..

The BMW R1150R has only one set of tires, not even a spare, but it only runs on thawed pavement.

I know a lot of people, even here in VT, go with all season tires summer and winter. For myself, I have looked at the factors and chosen to go with specialized tires suited to the extremes of each season. It might not be a necessity, but I feel good on the road with them and in the long haul, I don't think it costs me any more. ....


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harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
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2008-12-17          158631


2004 Trailblazer and 2008 Chev 1/2 ton P/U. Both have 2 sets. The winters are much narrower than summers and as tall as possible. The TB has directional tires heavy sipes and deep lugs, Tire warehouse wheels tires mounted balanced and delivered $450. The PU used wheels, pressure monitors deep lugs studded heavily siped. 3 Different sources $750. P/U winters are narrow and slightly smaller diameter but closest fit with narrow truck tires. Tires are only on Thanksgiving to Mid March. ....


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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2008-12-17          158634


Since we're in the middle of an ice storm that looks like it will last until after Christmas, all the local tire stores are jammed and their phones always busy (maybe even off the hook). There are stories of people lining up at 5 am to wait until they open.

So I went to tirerack.com and they did not have a single tire/wheel package for an 07 Tacoma. Not only that, they didn't have in stock a full set of winter tires in any of the three factory sizes for that truck.

I did find the nokian site, and they make a studdable tire in the right size. So after this ice storm I'll see about ordering a set of those mounted and balanced on a set of wheels from the local Tire Factory store. The stupid TPMS makes it a more expensive proposition with sensors in every wheel. The dealer wants hundreds of dollars just to reprogram the computer after a wheel swap. It makes more sense to put a piece of black electrical tape over the stupid tire pressure warning light. ....


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harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
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2008-12-18          158643


Ken I found the tpms things for a chev, they had every type, for 35$. My pick up it took some reading but I remove all valve caps, turn the ignition to on hold in lock and unlock buttons same time horn sound 2x then I walk let air out of tire lf, rf,rr,lr, let air out till hear 1 beep horn move to next tire. Then I refill tires to proper pressure. Only need to let out 3-5 # whole thing less than 2 minutes.

I'll look and find tpms place. I bought steel wheels from a large auto salvage/parts place for $50 apeice they were brand new with spare tire taken off.

Here's the place: http://revolutionsupply.com/ ....


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hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3583 iowa
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2008-12-18          158645


Harvey; The tire pressure monitor in our Trailblazer has been a joke since it was new. Even with the tires at proper inflation the warning light comes on anytine the temprature is below about freezing. After you drive a half hour or so it goes out. I've always had the utmost faith in the dealer we do business with, but after repeated requests to fix the DXXX gizmo they seem to just shrug it off. OK, now I'm getting steamed, the TB is still under the 3/36 warranty, the thing was maent to work, it don't, why can't I get them to get serious about fixing it??? anybody else have the same thing?? ....


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candoarms
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1932 North Dakota
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2008-12-18          158648


Hardwood,

I don't know one danged thing about that tire inflation sensor system you have in your vehicle. However, I would like to comment a bit on how they work.

During periods of cold weather, you lose about 1 pound of tire air pressure for every 10 degree drop in temperature. At 30 degrees, this equates be about a 4 pound decrease in tire pressure from when it was 70 degrees.

I don't know how sensitive your air inflation monitor is designed to be. However, if the sensor warning shuts off soon after driving a short distance, this could be an indication that the tire pressure is increasing slightly due to road heat, which is perfectly normal, and expected.

In my opinion, your tire inflation warning sensor system is working correctly. You wouldn't want to put any additional air in the tires when they're cold, because they'll be over-inflated at highway temperatures and speeds.

Joel ....


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harvey
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2008-12-18          158657


Frank Canada has a point about the cold. It is possible your inflations are at the bottom edge of psi rating of the electronics.

Check with guadge before moving and compare the 2 #'s. Check after driving and compare #'s

Mine vary almost 5psi. cold on pu is 41 psi front and rear winter tires, (35 psi summer tires). After run fronts will be 45 and rears 44 +/-.

I have only checked the after markets 2x. The factory ones were new toy and I checked them many times.

My light only came on 1x I had nail in tire and it did not come on until it had lost 8-10 PSI.

Don't know your sizes but the 2004 TB with 17's was 34 front and 32 rear. Not have psi system in them. The winter tires are around 36 psi. Not the same thought as years ago to soften tires during winter. I keep them up so the tread stays open. I check by wetting tire and drive on concrete floor. ....


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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
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2008-12-18          158659


Harvey, thanks for the link to revolution supply. Their price on sensors for my truck was $117 each (at least it looked like each). A year or so I bought a brand new set of four off ebay for $80. The worst thing about these sensors on Toyotas is that swapping wheels with different sensors requires taking it to the dealer to have the main TPMS computer reprogrammed. When asked how much they said a few hundred bucks. I don't want to spend that twice a year when swapping. ....


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DRankin
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2008-12-18          158661


Ken.... I am sure my '08 Highlander has the same tire monitor system and I didn't even consider the PIA until you brought it up.

Tell me what happens when a sensor fires off..... is there a warning light and a audible alarm? ....


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harvey
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2008-12-18          158662


Ken I think the OEM from there where $80+ for chev. I got the knock offs.

What does the dealer/tire book say about rotating tires. Until I did some reading I also believed I had to go to dealer. Not saying that not the case with yours. Also I'd check with the tire installer.



....


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hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002
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2008-12-18          158663


My parents ran a Mom and Pop Standard Oil station for years, so I got plenty of part time tire experience. I knew about the cold temp pressure drop and all that from my tire days there, but with todays electronics it seems that an outside air tempreture sensor would be a simple part of the monitor system and compensate for it. You know, the old, "If they can send a man to the moon etc., etc." ....


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kwschumm
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2008-12-18          158667


Mark, our 05 Highlander did not use individual tire sensors and instead used the ABS sensor to detect low pressure. When the tire pressure drops the effective diameter shrinks, the tire seems to spin faster, and the TPMS lights up an indicator in the instrument panel. There was no audible alarm. That system was awful, it false alarmed all the time when we traveled gravel roads and resetting it ever week was a pain. Eventually we gave up and just ignored the light.

The Tacoma has individual sensors, which has been dead reliable, but a real PIA for swapping tires+wheels between winter and summer. There's really no excuse for a design that requires the dealer to reprogram sensors with a wheel swap. That could have been done automatically with good design. Some guys have removed all five sensors and put them in a sealed PVC tube with a valve stem. Pump it up to pressure, throw the tube in the glovebox, and voila, no TPMS light.

Harvey, we've had three vehicles with TPMS. An 08 Subaru, 05 Toyota Highlander, and the 07 Tacoma and none of them have any special requirements for rotation. ....


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kwschumm
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2009-01-03          159025


Mark and Murf, thanks for the pointer to the Nokian tires. This morning we put a set of studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 tires on the wife's Subaru. I can see why those tires work so well - they are siped to the max and have twice as many studs as the Toyo M55s I bought for the truck. They also cost a pretty penny - $300/tire installed for tiny Subaru tires. Yowsa. But driving home on an ice packed road the tires gave a great feeling of confidence. ....


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DRankin
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2009-01-03          159038


Maybe I told this story before, if so forgive me.

Up in Alaska we spent about half the year driving on ice. There were at least two times that I slid on the ice and put the pick-up in the ditch. We are talking serious nose down in the ditch.

Both times I called my wife who showed up in her Toyota Camry (front wheel drive) and those studded Nokian tires.

We hooked up with a nylon strap, put that Camry in reverse and popped the truck right back on the road.

No, she wasn't pulling from dry pavement. She was pulling from the same icy pavement that put me in the ditch.

First time it happened I thought it was luck. The second time I knew better. It was the tires.

BTW..... In 21 winters there she never went in the ditch. I'm thinking for at least 18 of those winters she was driving on Nokian tires.

And I guess she is a more careful driver than her hubby.......... ....


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Murf
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2009-01-05          159086


Quote:
Originally Posted by DRankin | view 159038
And I guess she is a more careful driver than her hubby..........


Or she is a little more nervous and therefore drives slower.

That's my problem, I get a little too 'optimistic' and the right foot goes down a titch too far. So far however, I've only had a couple of close calls, in 2 cases dropping the snowplow did the trick, in the other (sans plow) the gravel of the shoulder gave enough traction to keep me on the road.

Coming home just yesterday my good lady was driving my ride and I mentioned that she could pick it up a little, she was doing a little below the limit, around here 10 mph over is 'normal speed'.

She eloquently pointed out that being me being quiet and enjoying the drive was still going to be a LOT faster than me walking home. ;)

Best of luck. ....


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