Sometimes you never realize how bad factory tires are until you upgrade to better tires. I admit I usually stay with similar type original factory tires. However, this time I decided to be picky and look at better slightly more expensive tires. After this last winter which was a nightmare in the Pacific Northwest I knew I had to upgrade with all the work my SUV had to do with such lousy tires. My Suzuki Grand Vitara, which is simply an amazing vehicle, used all it's technology like traction control, ABS, EBD and 4 mode 4-wheel to keep me going but the tires gave me and my car a workout.
Now switch to 2009! With a new set of high quality Dunlop Signature CS tires the change is simply awesome. Two days after they were installed a Pacific Storm rolled in and dumped rain with a vengeance, these new tires cut a path through the standing water like a knife through hot butter. I went around corners with no slippage, sure footing it around the city and highway confident the tire were up to it.
To really test the Dunlop's out I went to my favorite hiking spot up in the mountains and went down a muddy 4x4 path that only true 4x4's would dare, let's just say there were no CRV's, Elements, RAV4's or Escapes. Mostly Jeeps, Nissan X-Terra's and a couple of Suzuki's and my original factory tires didn't do a good job the three times I went up there, but these new tires has no problems! I didn't even need to put my 4 wheel drive system into full 4 wheel drive high mode or 4 wheel low. I kept the system in normal AWD and it splash mud outta the way like it was a baby flinging food.
Good tires and I look forward to the first snow for the first time, without fear, worry or nervousness with the exception of other drivers roaming around with bald or lousy tires!