geebee

iTrader: (2)

Since I bought my car in October I've been concerned about snow tires. It's my first rear wheel drive car in 20 years.

So here are my thoughts and results for others to learn from.

I've searched this board, other boards, TireRack, posted questions, and talked to friends. I didn't want to spend the cash and go through the mount/unmount hassle if I didn't need to. The general consensus is: get the snows, and get them mounted. I did notice one thing in various posts, it seems like the GS4 is far worse than the GS3 in snow.

Most of the posts calling the car a deathtrap in snow came from GS4 owners , and the few posts saying it wasn't too bad all came from GS3 owners.

The BEST post I read said take the car to an empty parking lot and experiment. And that's what I did.

During the two small storms last week, I drove carefully on the street, and then a bit wildly in an empty lot. With SNOW ECT on, I accelerated and then turned quickly to try and make the car skid. Immediately the traction control came on and got me right under control. I'm not sure of highway speeds, but at around 30MPH doing this, I now have total confidence in the car. Braking was also straight and true, with the ABS doing it's thing. Getting out of parking spaces was no problem, and the one steep snowy driveway I drove was a piece of cake. I was very pleased.

At this point, FOR ME, I will not be getting snow tires. However, I have a unique situation: I live in a city (Boston) that only gets moderate snowfall (usually !) The streets are cleared promptly and well. And I have a flexible schedule and won't HAVE to drive if a storm gets too bad. Plus, my tires have all their tread with only have 1K miles on them.

If any of these things were not true, I WOULD get snow tires. As a matter of fact, I may reevaluate next season as my current tires wear down. BTW, my GS came with Goodyear Eagle GT+4 all season 16".

GB

Lexus of Manhattan

I was considering snowtires as well.. But after my first experience in a RWD car with last weeks snowstorm, I was pretty impressed with the overall driveability of the GS in the white stuff..
Ed

TRDGS3

I for one was not happy with my GS in the snow...I couldn't even get up my driveway....however this was at a complete stop and there was like 4 in. on the ground.

-KRis

XenonES3

Then what's the deal with the GS4? Is it THAT MUCH worse than a GS3? Would snow's and 16's cut it?

rickm430

The deal with the GS4 is the stock tires on 17" OEM rims. The Bridgestone RE030's are great summer performance tires, but are a deathtrap in the snow. Those of you with the 16" Goodyears are riding on all seasons, and can probably get by. Anybody with wide summer tires is doomed, and need to get some 16's with snows, or at least switch to an all season. I went the 16's route with snows, this works really well.

Rickm430

HaydenGS

mine skids like hell even when raining !!!!
i wonder if i need to change my tires

cgatch

iTrader: (3)

I replaced my Goodyear Invicta with Dunlop Sports SP A2. Dunlop is H rated but since I don't drive over 100 mph, I figure I don't need V rated tires. The Goodyear's performance on wet weather was always scary, trips the VSC at all turns. Dunlop Sport A2 showed me that RWD is not really that bad in slippery pavements.

MrSypher

I haven't drove it yet in the snow so I wouldn't know, because I still have my 20's on with Toyo TS-1.... But my RX takes the snow on just like if the roads were wet from rain....