Doesn't this FJ Cruiser look like it's ready to go anywhere? Well, with the right winter / snow tires, it can. Your
FJ Cruiser will be ready to race anywhere this winter with the proper set-up.
Winter / Snow Tire Size
Unless your FJ Cruiser has the unusual 18" or 20" optional wheels, you either have an Original Equipment size of 265/70-17 (31.6" overall diameter) or 265/75-16 (31.7").
Either the 245/75-17 (31.5") size for deep snow areas like
Anchorage, Alaska or the
265/70-17 for moderate snow areas such as
Cincinnati, Ohio are good size choices. The
narrower tire cuts through deeper snow better, while the wider tire drives more like your all-season tires for those better weather days.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Toyota uses
valve-stem mounted direct TPMS sensors which are $71* each. Your Toyota dealer must initialize your winter sensors as well as
your summer sensors when your second set of tires is installed in the spring.
Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package with a Light Truck/SUV Studless Ice and Snow Tire
For Anchorage, Alaska, which averages over 100 inches of snow a year, the narrower
245/75-17 Blizzak DM-V1 on a
17x8 10mm offset Silver Painted Sport Edition TK6 at $1,396** would be a great selection.
Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package with a Studless Ice & Snow Tire For Cincinnati, Ohio which averages a moderate amount of snow a year, the wider
265/70-17 Continental ExtremeWinterContact on the 17x8 10mm offset Silver Painted Sport Edition TK6 at $1,440** is a suitable combination.
Toyota FJ Cruiser FAQ: - Does the Sport Edition TK6 have the same offset as my Original Equipment wheel? Both the 17x7.5" and 16x7" O.E. wheels have a 15 mm offset, therefore there is a 5mm difference when compared to the Sport Edition TK6.
- I noticed that some of the 16" winter / snow tire options are Load E 10-ply rated. What's the disadvantage of using a load range E 10-ply rated snow tire? A load range E 10-ply rated tire has heavier construction that allows it to carry more weight than a standard load tire. Your FJ Cruiser doesn't need a load range E 10-ply rated radial as each standard load O.E. tire carries 2,535 lbs. The downside to this heavier construction is additional rotational weight negatively affects fuel economy. For example, the standard load O.E. 265/70-17 Bridgestone Dueler H/T D684 II weighs 39 lbs., while the 265/75-16 load range E 10-ply rated Blizzak W965 weighs 53 lbs.
*Prices subject to change
**Prices subject to change, includes TPMS sensors and excludes shipping