Snow or Ice Driving Questions/Concerns/Experiences /Tires
01-30-11, 08:30 PM
#46
Driver
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: WA
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I haven't yet. I haven't been anywhere that chains were required on 4X4s. in Washington, 'Chains Required' on mountain passes exempt 4wd vehicles.
If you are going to chain up - go with cable chains and make sure you install them correctly. I would also chain none, or all 4.
If you are going to chain up - go with cable chains and make sure you install them correctly. I would also chain none, or all 4.
01-31-11, 08:59 AM
#47
Moderator
Thread Starter
This sounds like someone is reading too many magazines.
1) Narrower is better? Not always.
2) A M&S is better than an A/T in snow? That's just plain wrong in many cases. There's tons of crappy M&S snow tires that won't hold against a 'decent' M&S tire. You must drive in cold/dry climate snow. Wet snow/slush - an A/T is actually a benefit.
3) winter tires like a Blizzak... as many people rave about them, there's plenty of folks who feel they are lackluster.
You haven't mentioned a snow tire with studs? that's a real deal setup over any of these options. But,they are noisy and cause more harm than good if you are pounding pavement with them.
I'm just balancing out some opinions. And of course, I speak for Pacific Northwest climates. Heck, let's just call it climates west of the Mississippi.
1) Narrower is better? Not always.
2) A M&S is better than an A/T in snow? That's just plain wrong in many cases. There's tons of crappy M&S snow tires that won't hold against a 'decent' M&S tire. You must drive in cold/dry climate snow. Wet snow/slush - an A/T is actually a benefit.
3) winter tires like a Blizzak... as many people rave about them, there's plenty of folks who feel they are lackluster.
You haven't mentioned a snow tire with studs? that's a real deal setup over any of these options. But,they are noisy and cause more harm than good if you are pounding pavement with them.
I'm just balancing out some opinions. And of course, I speak for Pacific Northwest climates. Heck, let's just call it climates west of the Mississippi.
Yes there are some crappy M&S tires but there are several that are much better then ANY A/T tire, in the snow, on pavement.
There are two methods in getting through snow; on top with a low inflated wide tire (more for off-roading) and through the snow with a narrow/tall tire (on pavement). This is FACT, not opinion.
NOTHING compares to a dedicated snow and ice tire (except studs/chains/cables), on pavement in the snow. Folks feel lackluster about them probably because the suck on dry pavement (soft rubber compounds) and will wear out pretty quick on pavement.
Koz
01-31-11, 01:15 PM
#48
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: pa
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I special ordered it without ever seeing one in person. I'm totally happy with the color. It has an amazing color difference depending on how the light hits it. I've had several friends tell me it is the nicest color Lexus makes (I'm not sure about that). It is unique for Lexus and I think it is the nicest color offered for the GX.
Koz
Koz
01-31-11, 03:40 PM
#49
Your vehicle is always in 4 wheel drive! You can lock the differential with the button that shows an X in the middle of four wheels. Don't SPIN your wheels as doing so literally destroys what little traction you have. If your wheels do spin, let up on the throttle.
02-01-11, 08:04 AM
#51
Moderator
Thread Starter
02-02-11, 07:53 AM
#52
Moderator
Thread Starter
Today was the REAL test for my GX. I woke up to an ICE storm. We were supposed to get a couple feet of snow but turned out to be an inch or two frozen rain then it rained and everything was covered in a sheet of ice. I didn’t have time to take pics (and it’s still dark when I leave) but I haven’t seen this kind of ice in about 10+ years.
Anyway, the roads were also a sheet of ice and the cars that were on the road were all over the place. Some had pulled over and were just sitting there. Needless to say the only thing they could do was just crawl around at an idle (barely). The GX felt like it had some kind of special tires on it because the nannies only stepped in a couple times, mostly when stopping. This is by far the best vehicle I have ever driven in EXTREAM weather.
Koz
Anyway, the roads were also a sheet of ice and the cars that were on the road were all over the place. Some had pulled over and were just sitting there. Needless to say the only thing they could do was just crawl around at an idle (barely). The GX felt like it had some kind of special tires on it because the nannies only stepped in a couple times, mostly when stopping. This is by far the best vehicle I have ever driven in EXTREAM weather.
Koz
02-02-11, 12:43 PM
#53
We didn't have much ice, we got ice first, then 20" of snow. No problem getting around. It wasn't much fun running my snow blower this morning...
We had some large drifts as well. Lots of blowing snow yesterday and last night.
It's going down to -10 tonight...
We had some large drifts as well. Lots of blowing snow yesterday and last night.
It's going down to -10 tonight...
11-23-11, 07:24 PM
#54
Snow Performance
How is the performance of the Michelins in snow? I'm debating whether to get a dedicated set of snows or just use the all-seasons. I'm near NYC, so we have (at least lately) been getting a decent amount of snow. Anyway, just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on the competence of these tires in the snow.
11-24-11, 07:35 AM
#55
Moderator
Thread Starter
Exceptional!
I pulled out of this spot without shoveling at all. The GX with Michelin's is like tank with tracks. I actually tried to get it stuck and it was VERY difficult. The vehicle would actually plow the snow. The GX is the best vehicle I have ever driven in the snow and I actually love to go out in snow storms and push my vehicles to their limits. I think the weight (5300 lbs), drive train and electronic nannies all compliment each other perfectly.
Koz
I pulled out of this spot without shoveling at all. The GX with Michelin's is like tank with tracks. I actually tried to get it stuck and it was VERY difficult. The vehicle would actually plow the snow. The GX is the best vehicle I have ever driven in the snow and I actually love to go out in snow storms and push my vehicles to their limits. I think the weight (5300 lbs), drive train and electronic nannies all compliment each other perfectly.
Koz
Last edited by Koz; 11-24-11 at 07:44 AM.
11-24-11, 07:45 AM
#56
Exceptional!
I pulled out of this spot without shoveling at all. The GX with Michelin's is like tank with tracks. I actually tried to get it stuck and it was VERY difficult. The vehicle would actually plow the snow. The GX is the best vehicle I have ever driven in the snow and I actually love to go out in snow storms and push my vehicles to their limits. I think the weight (5300 lbs), drive train and electronic nannies all compliment each other perfectly.
Koz
I pulled out of this spot without shoveling at all. The GX with Michelin's is like tank with tracks. I actually tried to get it stuck and it was VERY difficult. The vehicle would actually plow the snow. The GX is the best vehicle I have ever driven in the snow and I actually love to go out in snow storms and push my vehicles to their limits. I think the weight (5300 lbs), drive train and electronic nannies all compliment each other perfectly.
Koz
11-24-11, 08:25 PM
#57
Racer
there are several different michelins..
the stock michelins are rated poorly for snow/ice
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....0&autoModClar=
i have these latitude tours on my gx and they WILL get stuck on ice as i found out (as will any tire) but are rated better than stock
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....0&autoModClar=
these are rated the best but cost is more.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....0&autoModClar=
the stock michelins are rated poorly for snow/ice
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....0&autoModClar=
i have these latitude tours on my gx and they WILL get stuck on ice as i found out (as will any tire) but are rated better than stock
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....0&autoModClar=
these are rated the best but cost is more.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....0&autoModClar=
11-25-11, 09:35 AM
#58
Moderator
Thread Starter
Ice is hard for any tire. If you experience ice often you would need dedicated winter tires (and maybe studs,cables or chains. My next tire will be the LTX M/S 2. One of the best rated all season.
Koz
Koz
11-25-11, 05:14 PM
#59
We had some bad snow storms here last winter. I never had a problem with the stock Michelin tires. I will also replace my Michelin's when they're worn out for the Michelin LTX M/S 2.
11-25-11, 08:42 PM
#60
On a related subject, do you guys need to warm up the GX when you first start it on a winter morning? My garage is usually around 50F while the outside temperature can be very low. With my old RX I usually let it idle 2-3 minutes before driving off.