GS really BAD on Snow
#31
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I also have a 300 and when I was buying mine, my friend told me living here I should really consider the 300 if I was going to drive all year round. He said the weight difference from the 2 engines makes the 400 a much worse car in the snow.
So Stella and Anthony you are correct in saying the weight is a huge factor!![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Jeff
So Stella and Anthony you are correct in saying the weight is a huge factor!
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Jeff
Last edited by Lexis11; 12-08-03 at 06:09 AM.
#32
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Did anyone mention that the GS sucks in snow?
I've got 16" w/GoodYear GT+4 tires and its damn scary driving it. I kept it garaged during the snow storm here last week... I learned my lesson my first winter of ownership.
On the bright side... if your GS is a lemon, just take it out one snowy day... its bound to get totaled!
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I've got 16" w/GoodYear GT+4 tires and its damn scary driving it. I kept it garaged during the snow storm here last week... I learned my lesson my first winter of ownership.
On the bright side... if your GS is a lemon, just take it out one snowy day... its bound to get totaled!
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#33
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I don't really get this either........I mean, I've lived in the Northeast all my life (CT,PA) and was taught to drive with a heavy rear wheel Mercedes 300SD turbodiesel. As everyone has mentioned here common sense is your best ally against driving in snow. Those people who sit there and gun it--letting their wheels spin forever make me want to walk over to them and smack 'em in the face to wake 'em up. A light touch on the throttle and some decent all weather rubber is all you really need. Oh, and PATIENCE.
I'll never forget it, I was 15 working on my learner's permit and there's like 8 inches of snow on the roads... my Dad takes me up to my high school parking lot to do donuts in the snow (in his Benz) and learn how a RWD handles in those conditions. Invaluable experience for real. Maybe that's why snow doesn't bother me.
I ran the GS with the stock 16's and new rubber all last winter and had NO problems whatsoever. Come on guys, suck it up and learn a little bit, doing donuts in the snow is fun!!.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I'll never forget it, I was 15 working on my learner's permit and there's like 8 inches of snow on the roads... my Dad takes me up to my high school parking lot to do donuts in the snow (in his Benz) and learn how a RWD handles in those conditions. Invaluable experience for real. Maybe that's why snow doesn't bother me.
I ran the GS with the stock 16's and new rubber all last winter and had NO problems whatsoever. Come on guys, suck it up and learn a little bit, doing donuts in the snow is fun!!.
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#34
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Originally posted by Stage3
Delete this if you must, but thats my opinion on a recockulous topic.
Delete this if you must, but thats my opinion on a recockulous topic.
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
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ROFLMAO
#35
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I have Michelin Pilot A/S and We just got hit pretty good and I didn't have any problems. If you're running cheap tires on your car that's the problem. Why would someone put cheap tires on a Lexus ? Go buy a Saturn.
#37
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Tires make a HUGE difference, but it is still up to the driver to put it all together. True, a low slung RWD car is not going to do great in snow, but with decent tires it is not a major problem.
I had the stock GoodYear's, and they were horrible, in even a little bit of snow. They were horrible in dry conditions, too, so no surpise. Couldn't wait to get rid of those tires. Replaced them with Dunlop SP5000's, and I couldn't believe the difference. I could with confidence take the car out in the snow, and it handled respectably in one big storm around here with up to a couple of inches of snow on the ground.
For those with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S's, it is not surpising that you did not have any problems. Those are probably the best all-season tires on the market, and they combine superb summer performance with good winter performance.
I had the stock GoodYear's, and they were horrible, in even a little bit of snow. They were horrible in dry conditions, too, so no surpise. Couldn't wait to get rid of those tires. Replaced them with Dunlop SP5000's, and I couldn't believe the difference. I could with confidence take the car out in the snow, and it handled respectably in one big storm around here with up to a couple of inches of snow on the ground.
For those with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S's, it is not surpising that you did not have any problems. Those are probably the best all-season tires on the market, and they combine superb summer performance with good winter performance.
#38
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i think it is so funny that our cars beep at us when we lose control....is there anyway to turn that beeping off? i mean, its already bad when we lose control of our cars....but then to compound the issue we have to hear this annoying beeping sound in our ears...lol
#39
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Originally posted by Alewifebp
Tires make a HUGE difference, but it is still up to the driver to put it all together. True, a low slung RWD car is not going to do great in snow, but with decent tires it is not a major problem.
I had the stock GoodYear's, and they were horrible, in even a little bit of snow. They were horrible in dry conditions, too, so no surpise. Couldn't wait to get rid of those tires. Replaced them with Dunlop SP5000's, and I couldn't believe the difference. I could with confidence take the car out in the snow, and it handled respectably in one big storm around here with up to a couple of inches of snow on the ground.
For those with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S's, it is not surpising that you did not have any problems. Those are probably the best all-season tires on the market, and they combine superb summer performance with good winter performance.
Tires make a HUGE difference, but it is still up to the driver to put it all together. True, a low slung RWD car is not going to do great in snow, but with decent tires it is not a major problem.
I had the stock GoodYear's, and they were horrible, in even a little bit of snow. They were horrible in dry conditions, too, so no surpise. Couldn't wait to get rid of those tires. Replaced them with Dunlop SP5000's, and I couldn't believe the difference. I could with confidence take the car out in the snow, and it handled respectably in one big storm around here with up to a couple of inches of snow on the ground.
For those with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S's, it is not surpising that you did not have any problems. Those are probably the best all-season tires on the market, and they combine superb summer performance with good winter performance.
#40
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I just took my Gs4 in the snow yesterday and tested it out on different areas. Its not as bad as you people say. I have stock 17 inche rims and all season tires. I just made sure I didn't have a heavy foot and I was able to get out of a lot spots.
#41
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Yeah unfortunately the 400's do stink in the snow. When we had the first storm I learned the hard way - even though I already knew.
I live on a hill and as I slowly inched my way down it - braking the entire time, I continued to slide but thought I could somehow make the right hand turn up my street - avoiding a perpetual downward spiral.......NO SUCH LUCK. I made the turn , lost total contronl, and crashed into the curb - smashing the rim and many other things underneath, then fishtailing my back end up onto the neighbors lawn.
Needless to say, I sat there stuck for an hour before the neighbors pulled me out with a truck. I had to park it for 3 days without moving it because I couldn't get enough traction to move an inch.
$1500 later - including 4 new tires, I've learned - the car will not move at the slightest sign of snow.
I love my car and would NEVER EVER think of trading it in for anything else.
I live on a hill and as I slowly inched my way down it - braking the entire time, I continued to slide but thought I could somehow make the right hand turn up my street - avoiding a perpetual downward spiral.......NO SUCH LUCK. I made the turn , lost total contronl, and crashed into the curb - smashing the rim and many other things underneath, then fishtailing my back end up onto the neighbors lawn.
Needless to say, I sat there stuck for an hour before the neighbors pulled me out with a truck. I had to park it for 3 days without moving it because I couldn't get enough traction to move an inch.
$1500 later - including 4 new tires, I've learned - the car will not move at the slightest sign of snow.
I love my car and would NEVER EVER think of trading it in for anything else.
#42
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Yeah unfortunately the 400's do stink in the snow. When we had the first storm I learned the hard way - even though I already knew.
I live on a hill and as I slowly inched my way down it - braking the entire time, I continued to slide but thought I could somehow make the right hand turn up my street - avoiding a perpetual downward spiral.......NO SUCH LUCK. I made the turn , lost total contronl, and crashed into the curb - smashing the rim and many other things underneath, then fishtailing my back end up onto the neighbors lawn.
Needless to say, I sat there stuck for an hour before the neighbors pulled me out with a truck. I had to park it for 3 days without moving it because I couldn't get enough traction to move an inch.
$1500 later - including 4 new tires, I've learned - the car will not move at the slightest sign of snow.
I love my car and would NEVER EVER think of trading it in for anything else.
I live on a hill and as I slowly inched my way down it - braking the entire time, I continued to slide but thought I could somehow make the right hand turn up my street - avoiding a perpetual downward spiral.......NO SUCH LUCK. I made the turn , lost total contronl, and crashed into the curb - smashing the rim and many other things underneath, then fishtailing my back end up onto the neighbors lawn.
Needless to say, I sat there stuck for an hour before the neighbors pulled me out with a truck. I had to park it for 3 days without moving it because I couldn't get enough traction to move an inch.
$1500 later - including 4 new tires, I've learned - the car will not move at the slightest sign of snow.
I love my car and would NEVER EVER think of trading it in for anything else.
#43
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And the conclusion can be made..
There isn't one.![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
It seems we all have varying opinions based on our own experiences.
Your best bet for winter driving with a GS seems like three things
1. Winter Tires
2. Patience
3. Caution
With these, everyone should at least be safe![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
-Anthony
There isn't one.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
It seems we all have varying opinions based on our own experiences.
Your best bet for winter driving with a GS seems like three things
1. Winter Tires
2. Patience
3. Caution
With these, everyone should at least be safe
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
-Anthony
#44
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Originally posted by Captain Bone
And the conclusion can be made..
There isn't one.![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
It seems we all have varying opinions based on our own experiences.
Your best bet for winter driving with a GS seems like three things
1. Winter Tires
2. Patience
3. Caution
With these, everyone should at least be safe![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
-Anthony
And the conclusion can be made..
There isn't one.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
It seems we all have varying opinions based on our own experiences.
Your best bet for winter driving with a GS seems like three things
1. Winter Tires
2. Patience
3. Caution
With these, everyone should at least be safe
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
-Anthony
![Frown](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
#45
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Originally posted by ClaudiG
Yeah unfortunately the 400's do stink in the snow. When we had the first storm I learned the hard way - even though I already knew.
I live on a hill and as I slowly inched my way down it - braking the entire time, I continued to slide but thought I could somehow make the right hand turn up my street - avoiding a perpetual downward spiral.......NO SUCH LUCK. I made the turn , lost total contronl, and crashed into the curb - smashing the rim and many other things underneath, then fishtailing my back end up onto the neighbors lawn.
Needless to say, I sat there stuck for an hour before the neighbors pulled me out with a truck. I had to park it for 3 days without moving it because I couldn't get enough traction to move an inch.
$1500 later - including 4 new tires, I've learned - the car will not move at the slightest sign of snow.
I love my car and would NEVER EVER think of trading it in for anything else.
Yeah unfortunately the 400's do stink in the snow. When we had the first storm I learned the hard way - even though I already knew.
I live on a hill and as I slowly inched my way down it - braking the entire time, I continued to slide but thought I could somehow make the right hand turn up my street - avoiding a perpetual downward spiral.......NO SUCH LUCK. I made the turn , lost total contronl, and crashed into the curb - smashing the rim and many other things underneath, then fishtailing my back end up onto the neighbors lawn.
Needless to say, I sat there stuck for an hour before the neighbors pulled me out with a truck. I had to park it for 3 days without moving it because I couldn't get enough traction to move an inch.
$1500 later - including 4 new tires, I've learned - the car will not move at the slightest sign of snow.
I love my car and would NEVER EVER think of trading it in for anything else.