GX - 1st Gen (2003-2009) Discussion topics related to the 2003 -2009 GX470 models

Winter Driving

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Old 10-20-03, 03:17 PM
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tetra7
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Default Winter Driving

Just out of curiousity....for you guys who have had your GX's for a while, how does it do on the snow and ice?
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Old 10-20-03, 03:33 PM
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modelaford
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Speaking for my first one as the new one has not seen winter. It was the ONE THING it did very well, up here in northern Minnesota. Although there was never any compacted snow on the running gear as it all vibrated off lol.
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Old 10-20-03, 04:23 PM
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If it's anything like the 4Runner and it probably is, push the button to turn the VSC off and lock the diff and you can go through over a foot with good tires with VSC on good luck, those of you with the dunlops they suck big time drive real slow down hills or behind other cars.

Don't believe how commercial advertise these things cause when you get stuck or slide off the road, you will be laughed at by many and the news media loves to show how 4x4 SUV slide off the road
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Old 10-20-03, 06:34 PM
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they are looknow12's pics thanks looknow12








these arnt my pics.. but someones on the forums.. i really love the pics..
if you want me to taike em down let me know

Last edited by Kash; 10-22-03 at 07:02 AM.
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Old 10-20-03, 06:35 PM
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Old 10-20-03, 06:35 PM
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Old 10-20-03, 08:00 PM
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tetra7
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kash

thanks for the pics...now let it snow...nothing like being a storm chaser lookin for fresh powder dumps
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Old 10-21-03, 07:09 AM
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Hey! They're my pictures.

The GX was amazing in the snow last winter. If you recall there was a tremendous blizzard on the east cost last year and I drove right through it.

We drive back from Vermont to VA through Pennsylvania during the heaviest of the snow. At one point we got off an exit that had over 24" of snow. The truck just cranked through it all.

I've driven many 4wd vehicles, and I must say this vehicle had the best capabilities, by far.
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Old 10-21-03, 07:36 AM
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GRAYM
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Default winter driving

what tires do you have on you GX and what gear did you do most of your driving in....4hi or 4 lo etc.
I just picked up my GX and was wondering how it handled in the snow.

Thanks,
GM
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Old 10-21-03, 07:56 AM
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looknow12
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Default Re: winter driving

Originally posted by GRAYM
what tires do you have on you GX and what gear did you do most of your driving in....4hi or 4 lo etc.
I just picked up my GX and was wondering how it handled in the snow.

Thanks,
GM
Stock tires, I forget what brand they put on them.

Most of the driving was done in High Range. The engine has so much torque that Low Range isn't really needed. Also, I feel that High Range allows you to smoothen out your power control. If you can apply power smoothly you'll be less likely to break traction. The same concept was used in my GS and my older RX. Than have a Snow mode and the idea behind it is to start in second gear and to cut some of the power out. This allows for slower smoother starts.
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Old 10-21-03, 10:00 AM
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Just a reminder about the hidden button, 2nd start mode (to the right and below the ignition switch). This will let the vechicle start in 2nd gear instead of 1st when in transmission is left in automatic mode. I did not have mine last year so it will be interesting to see how it does with the winter New England is getting predicted for this year. (See page 309 of the owners manual)


btw: If you have not set yourself up at https://auth.owners.lexus.com/lexuso...sl/OwnersLogin
you have access to the owners manual online once you register.
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Old 10-21-03, 01:30 PM
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looknow12
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Originally posted by gzorn
Just a reminder about the hidden button, 2nd start mode (to the right and below the ignition switch). This will let the vechicle start in 2nd gear instead of 1st when in transmission is left in automatic mode. I did not have mine last year so it will be interesting to see how it does with the winter New England is getting predicted for this year. (See page 309 of the owners manual)
For clarification. The GS does more than just start in 2nd gear. It actually cuts some of the power out of normal driving. I believe it controls the spark plug ignition and maybe even cuts a few cylinders out. whatever it does, the GS drives with a noticeable difference at all speeds when you put it in snow mode.
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Old 10-21-03, 06:18 PM
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you guys are lucky. We don't get any snow for those of you who know about central california. Always been dry here. Once it snowed but wasn't even an inch thick. It was just a thin layer. But if there was snow, I would just plow right through it. sounds like a lot of fun.
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Old 10-22-03, 07:01 AM
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Originally posted by Rx900
you guys are lucky. We don't get any snow for those of you who know about central california. Always been dry here. Once it snowed but wasn't even an inch thick. It was just a thin layer. But if there was snow, I would just plow right through it. sounds like a lot of fun.
i feel ya man.. sucks 0 snow down here in texas thats why i kept the gx snow pic's man i look at thoes every day...

i cant wait to go get an 04 gx
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Old 10-22-03, 07:13 PM
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looknow12
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I live for the snow. I wish it snowed all year round. The GX makes it quite a lot of fun.

I used to snowmobile quite a lot as well. Pulling a snowmobile trailer up a mountain to launch them in a capable truck is really putting it to work. If you'll notice the yellow house, that shed (covered with snow) between the house and the GX is where the snowmobiles are kept :-)

Haven't had the pleasure of doing that with the GX yet. But have with many 4runners throughout the years. Starting in 86 when me and some friends were stuck for over 5 hours on the top of a mountain. 4 wheel drive back then used to be 2 wheel drive.

Last edited by looknow12; 10-22-03 at 07:17 PM.
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