RefinedGS

Just wonderin how reliable "snow mode" is on the 99GS4, cuz looks like the snow is startin to come down out my office window.

FYI, I am still running my 19's on 245/35 Toyo Proxes4...am I in trouble?

Thanks
RefGS

morris

iTrader: (2)

snow mode does not do a whole lot. It helps to limit wheelspin becuase the car will start in second gear instead of first but thats about it.

LStyle

I saw a GS stuck in the snow yesterday. That thing was rolling on 20's. Good Luck! Snow button is good imho. I tried yesterday and it made a difference. It's all about the driver!

NT2SHBBY

snow mode won't help when you are on big rims


swap back to stock and you should be OK

get snow tires and you'll be coastin like woah

Lexis11

Yup snow mode dont do @$^% so turn it off get some snow tires and have fun power sliding and drifting around all day. I sure do and it is real fun

400DGRZ

iTrader: (2)

I just went throught this a few weeks ago. Snow and iced roads.

I have the fat setup on 19's and had no problems whatsoever in snow mode. Up/down hills, around curves, there wasn't any problems. Now if you gun it of course you'll spin like crazy. But if you drive like you should in snow, you'll be fine.

NT2SHBBY

there's the beauty in snow tires....you can afford to go as fast as you want w/o traction loss

BigMoNYC

The snow button just starts u off in 2nd gear..... guess that would limit the amount of power you have when taking off as opposed to starting in 1st. As for the way these cars drive in the snow.... WITH NO SNOW TIRES.... S***T!!!!!!!!!!! I refuse to drive my car ever again in the snow untill i invest in snow tires

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Not sure about the GS, but in the LS, it does more then start you off in 2nd gear. It limits the pedal ratio so that it takes a lot more push to accelerate.

morris

iTrader: (2)

It may have something to do with the year also, 98 manual only speaks about the gearing, but others have told me about additonal features of the snow mode.

RefinedGS

thanks for the responses yall.

I'll have to wait & see for myself. Stopped snowing, but roads might be icy later in the eve. Previously from a different discussion, I've also heard that SNOW MODE starts you off in 2nd gear to avoid the overevving in 1st gear, minimizing wheel spin (same as BigMoNYC's response).

Ride/Slide on, GS'rs!

LexFather

Correct, it starts you in 2nd gear

mooretorque

Also changes throttle mapping so that a given amount of pedal won't produce as much throttle opening. Everything is designed to decrease the amount of torque available and to smooth/slow throttle inputs that would break the tires loose.

But your biggest problem is wide summer tires on a RWD car with an open differential. Don't know about your Toyos, but my Bridgestone S03s were absolutely useless if there was anything frozen on the road (including slush). And they weren't too hot even on dry roads below 40 F. Of course, I knew that when I bought them but some folks don't realize just how optimized rubber is for it's intended mission.

400DGRZ

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, but there's no way in hell I'm risking my $$ modded GS $$ just so I can speed in snow. That's stupid. I'll just leave my house early if I need to get anywhere.

engin_ear

iTrader: (1)

Absolutely agreed. You can mash the pedal down in snow mode (on '99 GS) and you don't get anywhere near the acceleration that you would get in normal mode. Tries to prevent you from spinning out when giving a little too much throttle for conditions. Very useful if you have winter tires. Take a cab if you don't. Blizzaks, Michelin Pilot Alpin, or Pirelli Wintersports recommended for Northeast winters, makes a HUGE difference.