ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: binkie on March 19, 2009, 08:50:20 PM
-
I've found that my 2002 GV is very bad on slick ice. I live in Edmonton where it gets pretty icy, and I have BFG All terrain tires. Unstoppable in snow or slush, but very dangerous on ice.
Does anyone else have this problem? I have found this vehicle to be extremely dangerous to drive on bad ice, even in 4WD. It can spin out without cause. Would a rear locker add to its rear traction issues or make it better?
Thanks, Marc
-
I got some winter radials made by Bridgestone with all the factory siping and softer rubber compound and they stick like glue to ice. I have to floor it to get them to break loose. I have never in 30 years of driving under Canadian winter conditions been so impressed by a "winter" tire.
-
if its spinning out without cause with an open diff you might not want to throw a locker in as it would just add to the traction problems... (rear lockers make rainy corners scetchy...)
unforunitly id be inclined to swap tires... i know of several people with the same problem with those tires (one driving a 4wd fullsize chevy) they are great in the powder and slush but get out of the way on ice or anything slick...
ive got some cheap kaltire a/t's on my kick and beat him in the snow and slush driving anywhere.
ever thought of maybe some good winter tires?
-
Ditto. It's not the truck. BFG A/Ts are not bad at all in snow and slush (and dirt), but they're absolute crap on ice or wet. I'll never buy them again.....along with anything from Good-Year.
For "premium" tires, I was pleased as peaches with my old (no longer available) Bridgestone Dueler M/Ts, and am very happily rolling Firestone Destination A/Ts now.
Lose the tires.
-
Ummm...this might go without saying... but for the best "ice" traction on the road...
STUDDED SNOWS!
I run them on all my autos for the winter, front and back, and actually get rather annoyed with folks out in bad weather with studdless all-seasons.
And lockers make things WAY worse on ice, too easy to spin out.
-
I kind of wondered if it was the tires, except for two reasons:
1.I know other people with the same tires but on bigger trucks and they do not have complaints.
2.The two most sever near accidents happened twice in 2WD, driving straight at a normal maintained speed, not accelereating or decellerating. Once the car started sliding around, there just isn't enough weight in the back to grab at all. This makes me think it is the low rear weight and shorter wheelbase.
Can anyone else living in the prairies with -40C and SEVERE glazed ice verify their GV is OK on ice with different tires? I used to live in BC and the snow and ice was "different" there. I never had a problem there. It also did not get this cold.
I don't want to drop a bunch of money into this truck for tires if its going to do the same thing, I'd rather sell it.
Thanks, MArc
-
calgary alberta here,
90's kick 2dr cant get much shorter wheelbase.
kaltire a/ts on ice (not kidding, pure ice. was road that got flooded and froze out at a construction site) does the same thing. easily remedied with slower speeds.
id check your tire psi... would probably help to lower it a bit to get better traction.
ive had some experience in the newer xl7/gv's and ive had the same thing happen with it kicking out on slightly sand covered roads.
also use to live in bc. it is a different breed of snow. (trust me, its the same kick im driving now that i drove back then)
-
I have run snow, ice, etc with all sorts of tires in my life; AT's, All-Seasons, Snow Tires, Snow Tires + Studs. If you are encountering hard/black/slick ice, there is NO substitute for STUDDED snow tires, NONE. It will improve your on-ice performance a hundred times over. Mind you, you still have to be a bit CAREFUL and SLOW DOWN, but with good STUDDED snow tires, you should be able to drop er in 4x4, and if you go easy on the throttle/speed, you should be able to handle the slickest ice known to man with confidence and ease.
The best tires for a Tracker in the Canadian winter, IMHO, are Nokian LT235x75 R15's with studs. That's what I run on mine, and they work great. I can pull iced over inclines in 2wd that guys in 4wd with non-studded tires can't make it up. Heck, earlier this year, I ran across a poor chap in a full-size Ford that couldn't make it up the iced over 7-ish % grade (forestry road). I whipped out the tow strap, dropped er in 4low, and hauled his butt up and over the top (about a 1/2 kilometer climb), didn't even spin the tires all that much.
Go buy the studded tires (Nokian's, I recommend), and don't look back -- you'll be glad you did.
-
I have 4 door 4x4 200 tracker.....around 3800 weight.,.....I use Artic Claw Tires with great results........ I live and drive near the grand river which is always flooding onto the road....broitherjack is right with studded tires being a good bet....also lowering your tire psi being another thing to try
Artic Claws are cheaper but the Studded Nokian tires are that extra bit of safety that will make you feel better when driving......and yeah lol drive according to road conditions....cant tell you how many ppl I have pull out of the ditches....only to notice poopy all seasons on their rims
-
Traction on ice! Isn't that an oxy moron! LOL!
-
Traction on ice! Isn't that an oxy moron! LOL!
ya for guys from seatle and such. for us canadians its MANDITORY. we wouldnt be able to go to the locak curling club if we couldnt get traction on ice...
-
I hear you there! I have been here in Texas for the past year and a half but I was born and raised north of the border! I know exactly what you mean!