450h in the snow
#1
450h in the snow
Hi all, I finally had a chance to drive the 450h with Dunlops in the snow yesterday. Work closed at noon because of the storm (20" and counting). The roads didn't look too bad so I decided to take the normal route home which includes an almost mile long hill with turns. By the time I got to the hill, the roads were not so nice - a few inches of wet snow compacted by tires, making it a little icy. I went for it anyway since the slope is long on the way down.
Going up was no problem but I had to take it slow/stop. An Isuzu Rodeo in front of me was fishtailing. The 450h handled it without a problem - no slipping, even in the turns. Fortunately Mr. Rodeo turned off the road. On the way down I used the sport mode to keep the speed in check. Again not even the slightest loss of control.
Overall I'm very happy the 450h did so well. I was concerned because the Dunlops were not my first choice. I'm very picky about my shoes and wanted the Michelins. But it turns out the Dunlops aren't so bad after all. And no, I didn't go out today to test them out some more. I have my limits.
It's hard to tell but here's a picture of the 450h after I got home. I easily backed it in through a foot high by three foot wide pile of wet snow at the end of the driveway. In addition to the front, the wheel wells were caked with slush. Next storm/test might be Wednesday.
Going up was no problem but I had to take it slow/stop. An Isuzu Rodeo in front of me was fishtailing. The 450h handled it without a problem - no slipping, even in the turns. Fortunately Mr. Rodeo turned off the road. On the way down I used the sport mode to keep the speed in check. Again not even the slightest loss of control.
Overall I'm very happy the 450h did so well. I was concerned because the Dunlops were not my first choice. I'm very picky about my shoes and wanted the Michelins. But it turns out the Dunlops aren't so bad after all. And no, I didn't go out today to test them out some more. I have my limits.
It's hard to tell but here's a picture of the 450h after I got home. I easily backed it in through a foot high by three foot wide pile of wet snow at the end of the driveway. In addition to the front, the wheel wells were caked with slush. Next storm/test might be Wednesday.
#7
I have Michelin winter tires on my 2010 450RX and they perform flawlessly in our Ontario ice and snow.
However, I cannot see the purpose of the snow mode that is set from the steering wheel. I have tried in ice, in snow, and in rain and cannot see that it makes any difference at all. Any comments?
However, I cannot see the purpose of the snow mode that is set from the steering wheel. I have tried in ice, in snow, and in rain and cannot see that it makes any difference at all. Any comments?
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#10
Terry, nice picture. Who says silver (aka tungsten pearl) doesn't look sexy in the snow
Snow mode wasn't used the other day because the conditions didn't warrant it. From my previous experience with the RX, it's reserved for inches of unplowed snow. I was driving on packed, unplowed snow. I pulled out the owners manual to review VDIM yesterday. Lexus put a bunch of safety features into the 450h to make driving in the snow easier. I wish I tried hill assist. Sounds really cool. Another benefit, I wasn't watching the gas gauge deplete at slow speeds. Mileage actually went up Overall, I'd say the 450h drives better than my other AWD RXs.
rxets, the LEDs are awesome looking. But like wyau01 said, they're not as bright as the HIDs I had on the '04. Fog lights help. Might change those though. I don't like how yellow they are next to the LEDs.
Snow mode wasn't used the other day because the conditions didn't warrant it. From my previous experience with the RX, it's reserved for inches of unplowed snow. I was driving on packed, unplowed snow. I pulled out the owners manual to review VDIM yesterday. Lexus put a bunch of safety features into the 450h to make driving in the snow easier. I wish I tried hill assist. Sounds really cool. Another benefit, I wasn't watching the gas gauge deplete at slow speeds. Mileage actually went up Overall, I'd say the 450h drives better than my other AWD RXs.
rxets, the LEDs are awesome looking. But like wyau01 said, they're not as bright as the HIDs I had on the '04. Fog lights help. Might change those though. I don't like how yellow they are next to the LEDs.
#11
In the 350, the ECT Snow mode, the power will be trimmed and the certain amount of drive power will be applied to the rear wheels constantly. This isn't the same as the All wheel drive lock. AWD lock will make sure the large amount of drive power be applied to all the wheels.
#12
#13
But, I'll buy LED if having the choice.
#15
To my understanding, LED headlamps hasn't been the completely well-developed technology, the current LED isn't producing its best yet. LED performance is easily getting affect by varied environmental factors. LED power consumption is almost equal to the traditional halogen, and isn't as bright as HID.
But, I'll buy LED if having the choice.
But, I'll buy LED if having the choice.
http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...e-lexus-ls600h