lol huge snow fall
10-29-06, 11:29 AM
#16
Pole Position
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Salt isn't used on roads in Calgary so it wouldn't make a difference. Else where I don't know, but no salt in Calgary for those in the area. Correct me if I'm wrong though.
10-29-06, 12:14 PM
#18
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I live in Red Deer, Alberta. We had the same snow fall. I drove my GS400 around town today. I have new Yokohama Advan S4's (UHP All Season). I was pretty impressed with the handling when I put the ECU in SNOW mode and let the traction control / VSC do its thing.
If you want to have 'real control' in snow and ice with rear wheel drive then a winter tire is the only way to go. There are quite a few V rated winters available (Pirelli 240 Snowsport, Michelin Pilot Alpin or Nokia WR would all be good).
Personally I like a little bit of a challenge so I'm gonna rip it up with my Yokos. I think I will be ok except for steep hills...
If you want to have 'real control' in snow and ice with rear wheel drive then a winter tire is the only way to go. There are quite a few V rated winters available (Pirelli 240 Snowsport, Michelin Pilot Alpin or Nokia WR would all be good).
Personally I like a little bit of a challenge so I'm gonna rip it up with my Yokos. I think I will be ok except for steep hills...
10-29-06, 12:51 PM
#20
Lexus Test Driver
I've been asking about snow and the IS 350 for a while now on this forum. This is now scaring me. However, after talking to quite a few people with various types of rear wheel drive cars, they all say the same thing. Summer tires are no use in the snow, you won't be able to get up even a small incline. However, with snows, all should be fine. I have been told that compared with all seasons on FWD, snows on RWD will be as good and stop better. Does anyone agree?
10-29-06, 01:50 PM
#21
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Guess I will go down to lexus and price out some winter tires.
I dunno, I know a guy here who drives his Porsche 911 in the winter, and he doesn't have any probs for the most part.
if you have 18" wheels then you can get the nokian WR's in W rating (Kal Tire can order them)
Last edited by Jatt; 10-29-06 at 01:58 PM.
10-29-06, 02:18 PM
#22
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My question now is don't I have to put the same size tire back on?
I know some people said that smaller tires on the rear are better.
10-29-06, 02:35 PM
#24
under 7c, summer tires lose most of their traction. Stopping distances from 100kmh to 0, go up by 10-15 meters at 7C!!! Imagine how bad it is with lower temps.
This is true for all cars, not only RWD. So you apsolutly have to have winter tires, especially with RWD cars where loss of traction is an problem.
IS350 with proper winter tires will do pretty damn good in snow, because VDIM is pretty awesome.
This is true for all cars, not only RWD. So you apsolutly have to have winter tires, especially with RWD cars where loss of traction is an problem.
IS350 with proper winter tires will do pretty damn good in snow, because VDIM is pretty awesome.
10-29-06, 03:26 PM
#25
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Lexus website:
225/45VR17 all-season tires front, 245/45VR17 all-season tires rear [10]
225/40YR18 summer tires front, 255/40YR18 summer tires rear [11]
I have 18 inch rims and I am wondering what is the best size winter tires I can fit on the OEM 18 Lexus rims? (Narrower in the back?)
10-29-06, 03:26 PM
#26
Good article, thanks.
If there was an AWD 350 I would definately have got it!
My wife just told me "you are too power hungry... you should have got the 250 AWD"
Guess I will go down to lexus and price out some winter tires.
Any comments on studded tires? Seems to me that they would provide the best grip on the ice. Advantages vs Disadvantages? I know nothing at this point.
If there was an AWD 350 I would definately have got it!
My wife just told me "you are too power hungry... you should have got the 250 AWD"
Guess I will go down to lexus and price out some winter tires.
Any comments on studded tires? Seems to me that they would provide the best grip on the ice. Advantages vs Disadvantages? I know nothing at this point.
If you go for the regular snows, let us know. I know someone who put Blizzaks on their rear wheel drive car (not an IS) and claimed a dramatic improvement. I have IS250 AWD and I'm hoping that the existing tires will suffice. I have to believe that a different set of tires will help you, though. Good luck.
10-29-06, 03:47 PM
#27
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the pirelli 240 snowsports are available in 225/40/18 and 255/40/18 if you want to keep the stock dimensions (for odometer consistency etc). here is the link:
they are a sweet winter tire.
http://www.ca.pirelli.com/en_CA/tyre...productid=4492
check tiretrends for canadian pricing:
http://www.tiretrends.com/catalog2.php3?tireID=345
they are a sweet winter tire.
http://www.ca.pirelli.com/en_CA/tyre...productid=4492
check tiretrends for canadian pricing:
http://www.tiretrends.com/catalog2.php3?tireID=345
10-29-06, 04:25 PM
#28
Lexus Test Driver
Check your local laws for any restrictions on studded tires. In the US, I believe that some states don't allow studded tires, or at least limit the time of year that you can have them on your car. Traction should be greatly improved, but too much driving on dry roads will probably wear down the studs.
If you go for the regular snows, let us know. I know someone who put Blizzaks on their rear wheel drive car (not an IS) and claimed a dramatic improvement. I have IS250 AWD and I'm hoping that the existing tires will suffice. I have to believe that a different set of tires will help you, though. Good luck.
If you go for the regular snows, let us know. I know someone who put Blizzaks on their rear wheel drive car (not an IS) and claimed a dramatic improvement. I have IS250 AWD and I'm hoping that the existing tires will suffice. I have to believe that a different set of tires will help you, though. Good luck.
I will be getting my IS 350 on the 10 th of November and it will be delivered with the 17" OEM wheels and the Blizzak REVO 1's on the car. I will be able to report on their snow/cold weather performance once it snows here after that. I am getting the snow package from the dealership despite the fact that it is overpriced because it is convenient. I know I could have got something much less expensive elsewhere.
10-29-06, 04:28 PM
#29
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Has anyone put snow cables on their IS? I dont think it's practical for daily driving...just wondering about making it to the local mtns this winter for some snowboarding.
10-29-06, 07:08 PM
#30
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I don't believe that snow chains or cables are recommended for most cars anymore, especially your Lexus.
If you're going snowboarding, take a different car or buy snows / all seasons for the event.
If you're going snowboarding, take a different car or buy snows / all seasons for the event.