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I have been following this forum for a while and certainly am aware of the ES reliability thus I am looking to purchase one in the near future probably a 2016 -2017 model. I just wanted to get some feedback from drivers from snow belt areas, gravel roads as well. Just wondering how it does in icy and snow conditions . We always use winter tires for that season. My 2010 Camry has great acceleration, but come winter, icy and wet conditions there is too much wheel slippage. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
I've lived and driven here in Southern Alberta and travelled through the Rocky Mountains for the past 35+ years. In that time the last 20 years or so have been with front wheel drive only (Camry). The "secrets" are, 1) always use the right winter/snow tires (not "all-season" or "4-season" or "all weather"). 2) Use the gas pedal judiciously...the old line about "pretend there is an egg between your foot and the pedal" is the best way to think of it. Your biggest drawback with a Lexus and/or Avalon would be the undercarriage clearance in deep snow.
As far as gravel roads, the ES handles them very well; you just don't want to be bombing along them since the flying gravel is not so good on the paint. The ride on any road compared with the Camry is superlative...but washboards are washboards regardless.
I have lived in Utah and driven in the mountains for the last 8 years in the rockys in colorado and the Canyons in utah. just good snow tires thats all i can suggest
remember your driving a car on ice snow be careful dont get to comfortbale dont let it go to your brain i mean cause then you might get recles always remember watch out for other drivers cause some of them are the big issues.
i just put my winter tires on costco had a sale on Bridgestone blizzak and i was happy about that cause it was time to get them again i have drivne with them for 8 years now in the winter .
I've lived and driven here in Southern Alberta and travelled through the Rocky Mountains for the past 35+ years. In that time the last 20 years or so have been with front wheel drive only (Camry). The "secrets" are, 1) always use the right winter/snow tires (not "all-season" or "4-season" or "all weather"). 2) Use the gas pedal judiciously...the old line about "pretend there is an egg between your foot and the pedal" is the best way to think of it. Your biggest drawback with a Lexus and/or Avalon would be the undercarriage clearance in deep snow.
As far as gravel roads, the ES handles them very well; you just don't want to be bombing along them since the flying gravel is not so good on the paint. The ride on any road compared with the Camry is superlative...but washboards are washboards regardless.
Run a dedicated set of good winter wheels/tires and you will be fine. I have been using Blizzaks for years now, great winter tire in snow and ice. Just installed my winter sett up yesterday, snowing today here in mid Michigan
I just mounted some Blizzak WS-90s to my '17 300h. It does well but not as well as my old Acura. I think that's because there isn't as much weight on the front axle. The hybrid has about a 50/50 weight distribution. My Acura had a 60/40 with that big V6 in the front. More weight to push down on the tires.
I've lived and driven here in Southern Alberta and travelled through the Rocky Mountains for the past 35+ years. In that time the last 20 years or so have been with front wheel drive only (Camry). The "secrets" are, 1) always use the right winter/snow tires (not "all-season" or "4-season" or "all weather"). 2) Use the gas pedal judiciously...the old line about "pretend there is an egg between your foot and the pedal" is the best way to think of it. Your biggest drawback with a Lexus and/or Avalon would be the undercarriage clearance in deep snow.
As far as gravel roads, the ES handles them very well; you just don't want to be bombing along them since the flying gravel is not so good on the paint. The ride on any road compared with the Camry is superlative...but washboards are washboards regardless.
^^^^ this ^^^^
also, the ES350 is pretty heavy and will want to understeer thru corners that one could have easily gone a bit slower thru. Brake early and gently and you should be fine. This is from someone who has lived in South Dakota for about 22 years.
also, the ES350 is pretty heavy and will want to understeer thru corners that one could have easily gone a bit slower thru. Brake early and gently and you should be fine. This is from someone who has lived in South Dakota for about 22
Blizzack tires are the best for snow