How reliable is "Snow Mode" on my 99GS4?
01-06-05, 02:10 PM
#16
Lexus Test Driver
Snow Mode does plenty. It changes the throttle pedal tip in. It changes the gear you start in. It changes the shift points. I have also been told by a reliable source that they "think" it also changes the ignition map so the torque curve is altered for less "power" down low. And it works truly awesome with snow tires. For those that doubt the capability of the GS400 in the snow, I tell you..it's a fanatstic all weather vehicle. I live in Canada where I might be more skilled at navigating snowy roads than some, but in all mys years of driving, the GS400 is the most competent snow car I've driver yet. (apart from my AWD cars I've owned).
01-06-05, 10:57 PM
#19
Lexus Champion
I found it to be very useful a couple of weeks ago when our entire area was covered in thicks sheets of ice for several days. I don't have snow tires, but I do have all-season Bridgestone Turanza LS-Vs on stock 16" wheels.
My 4Runner is only 2WD and doesn't have a snow mode, but it does have VSC, ETC, and TCS like the GS... but it also has automatic LSD (new for 05... 2WD models only).
The bridgestone tires it came with get poor ratings on tire rack for snow (and for pretty much everything else too, by the way).
But anyhow.... strangely enough the 4Runner was better on the snow, but not like night and day better. It was pretty much the same unless I was on a hill of some sort. Then the 4Runner was a little more stable. When it came to stopping, you could tell that the ABS on them was a shared component as it had an almost identical sound and feel to it.
I suspect that the 4Runner with better tires or especially snow tires would be noticably superior to my GS which already has good tires (just not quite snow tires).. But for now, I was pleased that my car was able to keep up with my SUV.
And before you asking me why my SUV is 2WD... this is by far and large the worst case of ice and snow we've had here in over a decade... so this is not something we normally have to deal with. Furthermore, 4WD only helps you accelerate. Not stop and turn (well I guess it might help you turn if you are intending to slide around a curve, but not many people do that on purpose
). I saw more idiots on 4WDs who thought they were invincible, end up in a ditch, than I saw of any cars.
My 4Runner is only 2WD and doesn't have a snow mode, but it does have VSC, ETC, and TCS like the GS... but it also has automatic LSD (new for 05... 2WD models only).
The bridgestone tires it came with get poor ratings on tire rack for snow (and for pretty much everything else too, by the way).
But anyhow.... strangely enough the 4Runner was better on the snow, but not like night and day better. It was pretty much the same unless I was on a hill of some sort. Then the 4Runner was a little more stable. When it came to stopping, you could tell that the ABS on them was a shared component as it had an almost identical sound and feel to it.
I suspect that the 4Runner with better tires or especially snow tires would be noticably superior to my GS which already has good tires (just not quite snow tires).. But for now, I was pleased that my car was able to keep up with my SUV.
And before you asking me why my SUV is 2WD... this is by far and large the worst case of ice and snow we've had here in over a decade... so this is not something we normally have to deal with. Furthermore, 4WD only helps you accelerate. Not stop and turn (well I guess it might help you turn if you are intending to slide around a curve, but not many people do that on purpose
). I saw more idiots on 4WDs who thought they were invincible, end up in a ditch, than I saw of any cars.
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