Does this car really handle well in the snow?
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Does this car really handle well in the snow?
I mean, the tires can't be THAT bad. It is an AWD car!
It was barely able to get up my driveway with some snow on it. I have an Explorer and it had no problem. Even my Grand Marquis did better and it is RWD!
The stability control icon was always coming on when driving.
It was barely able to get up my driveway with some snow on it. I have an Explorer and it had no problem. Even my Grand Marquis did better and it is RWD!
The stability control icon was always coming on when driving.
#2
Forum Administrator
iTrader: (2)
Folks are going to ask you to post what tires you have on the car.
#3
Intermediate
Thread Starter
The tires are Hercules Ironman imove. They do feel like firm rubber, they have a full tread. https://www.tirebuyer.com/tires/iron...p/style/538087
On dry they are great. They are supposed to be an all season tire, I'm not expecting blizzacks, but it feels like a RWD car. The front wheels do spin.
On dry they are great. They are supposed to be an all season tire, I'm not expecting blizzacks, but it feels like a RWD car. The front wheels do spin.
#4
All Season tires do not mean it will be great in snow. It could have ok performance in snow. Have you tried the snow mode button?
#7
The AWD system in the GS350 is rear-biased. It splits the torque 30/70 front/rear under normal driving conditions but that can change up to 50/50 depending on road conditions.
Get yourself a set of dedicated snow tires from a major brand (Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, etc). The rubber in an all-season will harden so they'll feel like hockey pucks in cold weather.
Get yourself a set of dedicated snow tires from a major brand (Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, etc). The rubber in an all-season will harden so they'll feel like hockey pucks in cold weather.
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#8
Intermediate
Thread Starter
The AWD system in the GS350 is rear-biased. It splits the torque 30/70 front/rear under normal driving conditions but that can change up to 50/50 depending on road conditions.
Get yourself a set of dedicated snow tires from a major brand (Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, etc). The rubber in an all-season will harden so they'll feel like hockey pucks in cold weather.
Get yourself a set of dedicated snow tires from a major brand (Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, etc). The rubber in an all-season will harden so they'll feel like hockey pucks in cold weather.
I'm thinking a tire like this, all season with a snowflake symbol: Looks a bit like my LTX truck tires, they have those zigzags in the tread. The tires I have now have nothing like that.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Assurance+WeatherReady&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=25VR7AWR&GCID=C13674x012-tire&KEYWORD=tires.jsp_Goodyear_Assurance_WeatherReady_Tire&code=yes
#10
Intermediate
Thread Starter
#12
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I had DWS's on my 450h which was rwd. Handled amazing in the snow. I would look into a set of those.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZfOPu5OkLw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZfOPu5OkLw
#13
Lexus Champion
I have Michelin Pilot AS3 on my RWD GS350 and they are absolutely terrible in the snow. Forget getting up to speed...the darn thing won't stop and the ABS kicks in at the slightest touch of the brake.
On my GS350, the rear brakes don't engage until the pedal is more than 3/4 pushed down to the floor, which mean at slow parking lot speeds my fronts are quick to lock leaving me like a sled
On my GS350, the rear brakes don't engage until the pedal is more than 3/4 pushed down to the floor, which mean at slow parking lot speeds my fronts are quick to lock leaving me like a sled
#15
All about the tires when it comes to snow. I live in an area with a lot of hills in the snow belt (not as bad as Erie, but can still get feet within hours) and my GS with snow tires is awesome. Never had an issue and never need to use the snow button.
I haven't found a tire brand that is clearly better than the other- have used Blizzak, Falken, Cooper, and some off brand a while back. Currently rocking the Coopers for the last 3 years - price was good and have a deep tread pattern.
I also prefer to go down a size on the width (215/55 for example)- I've been doing that on my cars forever and it makes a big difference.
I haven't found a tire brand that is clearly better than the other- have used Blizzak, Falken, Cooper, and some off brand a while back. Currently rocking the Coopers for the last 3 years - price was good and have a deep tread pattern.
I also prefer to go down a size on the width (215/55 for example)- I've been doing that on my cars forever and it makes a big difference.