GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

2002 GS430 Snow with/button, What does it do?

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Old 12-24-12, 03:24 PM
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pinoiryder
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Default 2002 GS430 Snow with/button, What does it do?

I am just wondering what does the button/Switch snow does and how does it work? If i go driving on snow, would i still be needing a snow chain?
Old 12-24-12, 08:28 PM
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Globalinx
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I think it does the same thing that it does in my GX470 and /or in my 2GS4. It starts moving the car in second gear.
Old 12-24-12, 11:21 PM
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neegroy
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First off our car (rear wheel drive) is not supposed to be in the snow.
Second the snow mode is basically lowering the rpm of the car so it takes more to spin the back wheels without breaking traction.
Old 12-24-12, 11:48 PM
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iGotSwag
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Originally Posted by neegroy
First off our car (rear wheel drive) is not supposed to be in the snow.
Second the snow mode is basically lowering the rpm of the car so it takes more to spin the back wheels without breaking traction.
I doubt they would put a snow button on a car not supposed to be in the snow. I find it gets around just fine. As for op, both statements above are correct, but this has been answered before, use the search button first.
Old 12-25-12, 12:46 AM
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pinoiryder
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did search and nothing came up..

So our car should not be driven in snow?
Old 12-25-12, 06:16 AM
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sam12345
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It should not be driven, it should be put in a garage and occasionally looked at, you don't want to damage a car that has a $5000.00 dollar value.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...0-in-snow.html

Last edited by sam12345; 12-25-12 at 06:28 AM.
Old 12-25-12, 08:41 AM
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Riker36
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Are you guys kidding me? I just purchased a 2001 GS300, and live in Ohio where we can get LOTS of snow. This is going to be my one and only vehicle. I totally understand that I might have problems in heavy snow, but some people are suggesting to just garage it for the winter?!? I'll sell this thing in a heartbeat if I can't drive it in a couple of inches of snow with regular all season tires on it! I know sam12345 was joking, but I read that other thread and some people were dead serious about NOT driving it in the winter. What the heck?!?
Old 12-25-12, 08:46 AM
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sivikvtec
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I have driven my car many times in snow and ice without issues. I have the stock 17s with Contintental DWS all season tires. In fact, I would say my car does better in snow than most of my previous daily drivers, and all but one of those were fwd.

Think of all of the 2GS, 1LS, and 2LS you see on the road all year long.....

Also, the previous owners of my car were in Indianapolis and Chicago. From the best that I can tell, they never switched out to winter tires for the snow, although the car had the factory 16s before I owned it.

Last edited by sivikvtec; 12-25-12 at 08:51 AM.
Old 12-25-12, 09:02 AM
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sam12345
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Originally Posted by Riker36
Are you guys kidding me? I just purchased a 2001 GS300, and live in Ohio where we can get LOTS of snow. This is going to be my one and only vehicle. I totally understand that I might have problems in heavy snow, but some people are suggesting to just garage it for the winter?!? I'll sell this thing in a heartbeat if I can't drive it in a couple of inches of snow with regular all season tires on it! I know sam12345 was joking, but I read that other thread and some people were dead serious about NOT driving it in the winter. What the heck?!?
Some people should not drive any car in the snow






Last edited by sam12345; 12-25-12 at 09:09 AM.
Old 12-25-12, 09:10 AM
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1sWt2GS
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What'd u search?

Rpm lowers in snow mode
Old 12-25-12, 09:14 AM
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Riker36
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Originally Posted by sivikvtec
I have driven my car many times in snow and ice without issues. I have the stock 17s with Contintental DWS all season tires. In fact, I would say my car does better in snow than most of my previous daily drivers, and all but one of those were fwd.

Think of all of the 2GS, 1LS, and 2LS you see on the road all year long.....

Also, the previous owners of my car were in Indianapolis and Chicago. From the best that I can tell, they never switched out to winter tires for the snow, although the car had the factory 16s before I owned it.
Thanks for the response, and a good, common sense one at that. I talked to others about this before my purchase, and they told me that if I drive carefully, there should be NO issues. That's why I was taken back a bit when I saw several people claiming that these cars should NEVER be driven in the snow, and garaged during the winter. If that's the case, I'd gladly go back to a FWD GM vehicle.
Old 12-25-12, 09:15 AM
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Smart GS snow/ice driver


Idiot IS snow/ice driver



Last edited by sam12345; 12-25-12 at 09:39 AM.
Old 12-25-12, 12:45 PM
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A lot of people that garage their GS for the winter do it because it's their project car.. Nobody wants to drive a lowered car in conditions such as snow and ice, lol, but there are plenty of people on here who put on winter tires and drive. I've seen plenty of posts with people putting on 'winter setups'.
Old 12-25-12, 01:01 PM
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Snow, well as what they said. Plus it makes your pedal more stiffer so if you aren't good with your foot control. You'll be less likely to quickly accelerate
Old 12-25-12, 05:09 PM
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Arcadian
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Default Snow mode

The 'snow' button by my reckoning reduces throttle response by about one-half, and starts the car in 2nd gear. With reduced throttle you get less torque applied more slowly = less wheel spin. Yes, you can drive in snow, I drive in snow for a solid 5-6 months every year.
But, you really should get the absolute best snow tires you can afford (Michelin, Blizzacks, Nokian, Pirelli).
If there's a lot of hills in your city, get a front-wheel-drive beater car, no hills where I live makes it possible to DD this car.
Also, sometimes VSC traction control is your enemy in the snow, learn when it's a good idea to switch this to 'off.'
Have fun.


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