Question about Lex in the snow...
#16
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Originally Posted by GWELEX
Yep!! 21 Alaskan winters and my GS is the best RWD I have ever had in the snow and ice. Agreed, there are better vehicles for winter driving but I've seen most of them off in the ditch somewhere because of the over confident feeling their drivers have and they push it too far. It's a matter of good equipment (tires), and the experience of knowing how to drive under severe winter conditions. That said, when it snows 2 feet or more up here, i don't go to work that day. ![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I walked back to the GS. Slipped it into drive, drove through all the crap he was stuck in, and up into my garage. He just sat there with his jaw on his toes. I poked my head out of the garage and yelled over "it's RWD!
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
This morning I heard him spinning and spinning at 6am. I saw the plow guy push him up the street with a couple other buddies. I left for warok and had no problem getting up the street.
A set of Blizzaks, a light touch on the throttle, and a little skill goes a long way.
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#17
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Here are a few winter threads I have bookmarked (you could also find these by using the search feature on our forum - please give it a shot
).
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=102940 (Recent Experiences)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=97253 (NE Driving Recommendations)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=30388 (Snow and Ice how to)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=75306 (What to do with snow & ice)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=103160 Winter setting for wiper blades
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=102940 (Recent Experiences)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=97253 (NE Driving Recommendations)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=30388 (Snow and Ice how to)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=75306 (What to do with snow & ice)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=103160 Winter setting for wiper blades
#19
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I roll my GS400 all winter long with no problems. I have the stock 17"s with a brand new set of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 snow tires. I've also had Michelin Artic Alpins and Michelin X-Ice snow tires, they all have worked good. And no I don't work for Michelin.
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#20
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I'm in Toronto and took the GS through it's first winter. It's been a mild one, but it's seen some white crap. I invested in stock 16s and Pirelli Snowsport 240s. They're good enough in the snow and controllable on ice. I don't mind them in the dry either.
The GS is definitely not ideal for snow driving, but it's definitely doable. You just need to baby it more.
The GS is definitely not ideal for snow driving, but it's definitely doable. You just need to baby it more.
#21
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I drive my GS430 all winter long, here in Chicago. I haven't had any issues, works fine, esp with traction control and SNOW mode. I do find it's important to have tires with a good snow rating. I bought Michelin Pilot AS, they work great for any snow here.
#22
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Originally Posted by GWELEX
Yep!! 21 Alaskan winters and my GS is the best RWD I have ever had in the snow and ice.
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Without snow tires, the GS is no good in anything buy very light snow.
With regular (not studded) snow tires, you still have to be very careful.
#23
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I found Pilot Sport A/S are only good for light snow. Once you get more than 2 inches - fuggettabboutitt, as we say here in NJ.
Don't get me wrong, Pilot Sport A/S is the best tire made IMHO. Just not for heavy snow, it doesn't bite enough, and not enough siping.
Had the Pirelli Wintersport 210's, they're decent. Takes the car from impossible to drive in snow to decent level.
Beginning of this winter I got Dunlop Wintersport M3's. Awesome freakin' tire. Better handling in dry than Pirellis by a mile. Cheaper than the Pirellis too!
Permanently solved the problem by buying an '03 4Runner.
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
Had the Pirelli Wintersport 210's, they're decent. Takes the car from impossible to drive in snow to decent level.
Beginning of this winter I got Dunlop Wintersport M3's. Awesome freakin' tire. Better handling in dry than Pirellis by a mile. Cheaper than the Pirellis too!
Permanently solved the problem by buying an '03 4Runner.
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#24
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You should get a convertible for the sun, a truck for when you have to carry stuff, a 4x4 for the snow, a van for carrying lot's of people, a sports car for going fast, etc, etc.
For most people that's not a practical path to follow.
If you have any driving skill whatsoever, put snow tires on the car (I use Dunlop M3's and love them, but I give up some snow performance for better dry-road performance; others rave about Blizzaks in the snow, but give up some precision on dry roads), and you'll be able to drive through just about anything. We had at least 6 major snowfalls in the Boston area this winter and I drove through all of them at their height with no problems at all. Major roads, minor roads - just use common sense...set the "snow" button (slows the electronic response to throttle inputs to mute the torque that our engine delivers) and drive like you're trying to get good mileage - slower than usual, with gentle braking, cornering and accelerating.
Spinning the tires going uphill is not a problem from an engine damage standpoint - comments above notwithstanding. Why would you think this would introduce engine damage? What is the engine doing that is different from any other driving condition. Have you ever seen a drifting contest? OK, not a great comparison. Spinning your tires however is particularly useless if you aren't spinning them for a purpose. Since you're talking about snow, you generally never want to spin your tires. You'll need momentum to begin your climb up the hill, and you should apply just enough throttle continue forward progress WITHOUT spinning your tires. If you cannot do this, it is OK to spin your tires, but not wildly (the speedo shouldn't be reading 70mph). Hey wait a minute - your traction control should not allow this anyway. Have you shut this off?
Sounds like you should take a winter driving course. Check with AAA or a local driving school. Also, you might work on car control in a wide open parking lot, covered with snow. Spin your tires while moving forward and turning the wheel. You'll learn how to feel the car's weight transfer and control it.
Good luck, and don't worry about hurting you car. It will do much more than you suspect
dd
For most people that's not a practical path to follow.
If you have any driving skill whatsoever, put snow tires on the car (I use Dunlop M3's and love them, but I give up some snow performance for better dry-road performance; others rave about Blizzaks in the snow, but give up some precision on dry roads), and you'll be able to drive through just about anything. We had at least 6 major snowfalls in the Boston area this winter and I drove through all of them at their height with no problems at all. Major roads, minor roads - just use common sense...set the "snow" button (slows the electronic response to throttle inputs to mute the torque that our engine delivers) and drive like you're trying to get good mileage - slower than usual, with gentle braking, cornering and accelerating.
Spinning the tires going uphill is not a problem from an engine damage standpoint - comments above notwithstanding. Why would you think this would introduce engine damage? What is the engine doing that is different from any other driving condition. Have you ever seen a drifting contest? OK, not a great comparison. Spinning your tires however is particularly useless if you aren't spinning them for a purpose. Since you're talking about snow, you generally never want to spin your tires. You'll need momentum to begin your climb up the hill, and you should apply just enough throttle continue forward progress WITHOUT spinning your tires. If you cannot do this, it is OK to spin your tires, but not wildly (the speedo shouldn't be reading 70mph). Hey wait a minute - your traction control should not allow this anyway. Have you shut this off?
Sounds like you should take a winter driving course. Check with AAA or a local driving school. Also, you might work on car control in a wide open parking lot, covered with snow. Spin your tires while moving forward and turning the wheel. You'll learn how to feel the car's weight transfer and control it.
Good luck, and don't worry about hurting you car. It will do much more than you suspect
dd
#25
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Originally Posted by jonathancl
Pardon me, but don't you use studded tires? ![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Without snow tires, the GS is no good in anything buy very light snow.
With regular (not studded) snow tires, you still have to be very careful.
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Without snow tires, the GS is no good in anything buy very light snow.
With regular (not studded) snow tires, you still have to be very careful.
#26
Everything in Moderation
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Originally Posted by diamondmit
You should get a convertible for the sun, a truck for when you have to carry stuff, a 4x4 for the snow, a van for carrying lot's of people, a sports car for going fast, etc, etc.
For most people that's not a practical path to follow.
If you have any driving skill whatsoever, put snow tires on the car (I use Dunlop M3's and love them, but I give up some snow performance for better dry-road performance; others rave about Blizzaks in the snow, but give up some precision on dry roads), and you'll be able to drive through just about anything. We had at least 6 major snowfalls in the Boston area this winter and I drove through all of them at their height with no problems at all. Major roads, minor roads - just use common sense...set the "snow" button (slows the electronic response to throttle inputs to mute the torque that our engine delivers) and drive like you're trying to get good mileage - slower than usual, with gentle braking, cornering and accelerating.
Spinning the tires going uphill is not a problem from an engine damage standpoint - comments above notwithstanding. Why would you think this would introduce engine damage? What is the engine doing that is different from any other driving condition. Have you ever seen a drifting contest? OK, not a great comparison. Spinning your tires however is particularly useless if you aren't spinning them for a purpose. Since you're talking about snow, you generally never want to spin your tires. You'll need momentum to begin your climb up the hill, and you should apply just enough throttle continue forward progress WITHOUT spinning your tires. If you cannot do this, it is OK to spin your tires, but not wildly (the speedo shouldn't be reading 70mph). Hey wait a minute - your traction control should not allow this anyway. Have you shut this off?
Sounds like you should take a winter driving course. Check with AAA or a local driving school. Also, you might work on car control in a wide open parking lot, covered with snow. Spin your tires while moving forward and turning the wheel. You'll learn how to feel the car's weight transfer and control it.
Good luck, and don't worry about hurting you car. It will do much more than you suspect
dd
For most people that's not a practical path to follow.
If you have any driving skill whatsoever, put snow tires on the car (I use Dunlop M3's and love them, but I give up some snow performance for better dry-road performance; others rave about Blizzaks in the snow, but give up some precision on dry roads), and you'll be able to drive through just about anything. We had at least 6 major snowfalls in the Boston area this winter and I drove through all of them at their height with no problems at all. Major roads, minor roads - just use common sense...set the "snow" button (slows the electronic response to throttle inputs to mute the torque that our engine delivers) and drive like you're trying to get good mileage - slower than usual, with gentle braking, cornering and accelerating.
Spinning the tires going uphill is not a problem from an engine damage standpoint - comments above notwithstanding. Why would you think this would introduce engine damage? What is the engine doing that is different from any other driving condition. Have you ever seen a drifting contest? OK, not a great comparison. Spinning your tires however is particularly useless if you aren't spinning them for a purpose. Since you're talking about snow, you generally never want to spin your tires. You'll need momentum to begin your climb up the hill, and you should apply just enough throttle continue forward progress WITHOUT spinning your tires. If you cannot do this, it is OK to spin your tires, but not wildly (the speedo shouldn't be reading 70mph). Hey wait a minute - your traction control should not allow this anyway. Have you shut this off?
Sounds like you should take a winter driving course. Check with AAA or a local driving school. Also, you might work on car control in a wide open parking lot, covered with snow. Spin your tires while moving forward and turning the wheel. You'll learn how to feel the car's weight transfer and control it.
Good luck, and don't worry about hurting you car. It will do much more than you suspect
dd
Biggest one is that spinning tires continuously, in spotty traction, creates heat - in the tranny and differential. If you do this excessively you can toast one or both of them. Drifting cars, and high perf cars, are intentionally built with trannies and diffs that can handle it better, and they use better fluids that won't break down under heat and stress. The engine itself is not likely to be damaged. Toyota products are usually better than say, Chrysler, in this regard, but not immune.
The other thing is that if your GS is near and dear to you, it's a helluva lot easier on your stress meter to have a 4x4 winter beater, which doubles as something you can carry stuff in without worrying about ripping leather seats, etc. I've been in some downright dicey situations with my GS in the snow, and went clear off the road in my 88 Supra WITH snow tires.
You're point is well taken though, if you drive carefully with snow mode and good snow tires, it's usually not too bad. Still have to watch out for the morons doing 70 in their Expeditions.
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