GeorgeB’s 2013 Suburban LTZ “Fin”

[Rocket Man]

Snow keeps coming down and I did some testing. Drove around in 2wd and 4Auto. Found that acceleration in 2wd was acceptable and braking was ok. Braking is much better with the traction control turned off and my foot in control. I would say it is on par with what I expect.

Also drifing around corners and stuff is very predictable just how I would expect.

This truck has the most electronic control I have ever driven and while I am not much of a fan I appreciate how some of it works. I think the antilock braking is excessive and a detriment in the snow.


In 4Auto I have similar results with most improvement in getting moving.

4High is exactly what it is supposed to be and very solid.

You guys with AWD have it made when it comes to snowy roads.

Agreed, especially, IMO, the NBS. My 02 Denali with the viscous coupler NVG249 is amazing in the snow. And my tires aren’t even snow rated.

 

[gooffeyguy]

I hate the Abs in the snow. Makes it hard to stop on slick roads. All you get is that damn pulsating pedal

 

[Rocket Man]

I hate the Abs in the snow. Makes it hard to stop on slick roads. All you get is that damn pulsating pedal

Agreed.

 

[George B]

I hate the Abs in the snow. Makes it hard to stop on slick roads. All you get is that damn pulsating pedal

I guess thats why they give us the option to turn it “off”.

I thought I made a mistake for a second and that my other tires were not as bad as I thought but it didn’t take long for the other improvements to add up. The lateral control of the Defenders is superior to the discoverer. I was gonna discover how well my insurance worked.

 

[gooffeyguy]

I guess thats why they give us the option to turn it “off”.

I thought I made a mistake for a second and that my other tires were not as bad as I thought but it didn’t take long for the other improvements to add up. The lateral control of the Defenders is superior to the discoverer. I was gonna discover how well my insurance worked.

I couldn't turn the ABS off. I did try it with both traction control and stabilitrack off and it would still pulsate when stopping and slide halfway through the stop.

I'm guessing you're supposed to do it "old school" and slowly pump the brakes when coming to a stop on slick surfaces.

 

[George B]

I couldn't turn the ABS off. I did try it with both traction control and stabilitrack off and it would still pulsate when stopping and slide halfway through the stop.

I'm guessing you're supposed to do it "old school" and slowly pump the brakes when coming to a stop on slick surfaces.

Reading the owners manual indicates not but I think stopping is as good as it can be with the tires we have. Dedicated snow tires will work better but in the grease those will slide too.
I was ripping around this morning in the exact conditions that drove my decision to change tires and I feel I made the right choice given the size I am running. These are so much better and I have to purposely stop hard to get the antilock brakes to activate.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Reading the owners manual indicates not but I think stopping is as good as it can be with the tires we have. Dedicated snow tires will work better but in the grease those will slide too.
I was ripping around this morning in the exact conditions that drove my decision to change tires and I feel I made the right choice given the size I am running. These are so much better and I have to purposely stop hard to get the antilock brakes to activate.

Yeah, I'm about due for new tires also. I have the OE style Dueler Alenza. It came with them when I bought it in 2018 and they were almost new (date coded 2016). I've put 30k on them since. I'm wanting different wheels, so I've put off getting new tires until I figure out/find wheels I like, lol

 

[George B]

Yeah, I'm about due for new tires also. I have the OE style Dueler Alenza. It came with them when I bought it in 2018 and they were almost new (date coded 2016). I've put 30k on them since. I'm wanting different wheels, so I've put off getting new tires until I figure out/find wheels I like, lol

I had those Alenza tires on this thing when I got it. They were new and absolutely terrible in the snow too. I would say the Coopers were worlds better than those for reference.

I feel the best way to deal with the thick slushy stuff is with tires that are more meant for mud so it squishes out from under them. The Duratrac tires do just that and have plenty of siping. They were the best tires I have ever owned when it came to snow and off road.

 

[89Suburban]

We got ice overnight.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I have my opportunity to test them already. They are worlds better than the cooper-pooper tires. Turning and stopping is so much better. Not at a Duratrac level but what is? Maybe I will find some steelies one year and run dedicated snow tires. But this works for me now. View attachment 364183

I am really glad the you like the Defenders (so is my wallet, LOL).