ar4605

How bad is it driving in the snow? Is it possible? Is there anything I can do about it besides new tires? Does the car have any features that I can use for the snow? I am in Boston where it snows a lot in the winter. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Please try searching this forum for similar threads

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/search.php

use 'snow' as the keyword (hint, search in TITLE) and point at the 2IS forums

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=snow
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=snow
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=snow
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=snow
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=snow
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=snow

Among many others. I need to combine some of these and add to the FAQ

ar4605

thanks!!!!!!!

ReLexin

Thats why i bought the AWD. Already had all the speed i wanted with the
GS400.

shaolin

iTrader: (2)

it sucks with the stock tires.

gsCrazy

iTrader: (1)

definitely get snow tires asap.

i've been using the michelin alpin snow tires and they are great even with the rear wheel drive gs so they would probably do just as well on your is. the difference in grip is night and day even when compared to the bridgestone turanzas i have... you still have to be careful in the snow though!

Sundance

I got caught in a snow storm last night in Lynwood with no snow shoes and let me tell you it was scary !
This car is NOT designed for snow and ice.
Snow tires would make a big difference but I will be taking the 4x4 if I have my choice.

A tip if u get caught in snow and ice-

when u are driving slow in heavy traffic and tryin to come to a stop but the front end just keeps sliding, put the car in neutral and you will find that the rear wheels are no longer pushing you and you will have a much better chance of stopping. I speak from experience I would have gotten creamed at an intersection last night if I did anything else

jusmy2


Sundance

tw88

It's not the car, it's the tires! Get snow tires and there shouldn't be any problems with light to moderate snow.

GrantK

We got hit with our second snow storm up here in Toronto. I have a set of Champiro tires from GT Radial (http://www.gt-tires.com). Some designer from Nokian Tyre designs GT Radial's tires. I haven't had any serious issues thus far. We just got several inches of snow today and I didn't have a problem getting home.

One thing that I noticed is that when your tires start slipping, the LSD, Trac Control, VDIM kick in and it feels that I have lost a lot of power. This is bad when you are at a standstill, and then try to accelerate. For example, say you are stopped at a traffic light and then the light goes green. You accelerate and it is as if there is no power coming from the engine. You don't hear the engine rev. I know Trac control should cut power to the wheel that is slipping but if both wheels slip it is as if all power is cut. I end up pressing the Trac Off button, then I am able to slowly roll forward, get traction and away I go.

Maybe I don't need to turn off the Trac control, just give it more gas. Since it is suppose to cut power, maybe I need to give it more power (press the accelerator down some more) to get going. I haven't actually tried pressing the accelerator a lot more as I didn't want to jump forward and smash into the guy in front of me.

Bichon

Why do people who attempt to use summer tires in the snow always blame the car?

If you put wide low profile summer tires on your 4X4, it would suck in the snow too.

Sundance

I stand corrected.

The last thing I want to do is blame this very impressive car for anything !

That being said, I wish you would have quoted the next sentence in my post ( or even the whole post would have been better).
The next sentence reads-
Snow tires would have made a difference but I will be taking my 4x4 if I have the choice.

Even if I was stupid enough to put low profile summer tires on my 4x4 I would still choose it over my IS in the same situation. In fact I would risk driving just about anything else over the lex.

I simply got caught away from home in a storm that was not unexpected.

Just wanted to clear any misunderstanding's.
I was wrong, but I was taken out of context.

No hard feelings

Thankyou,

Sundance

LexusNut13

I have the AWD with Gislaved NordFrost 5 winter tires, and we just got hit pretty hard here in Toronto. The car rocks. Once in a while I hear the Traction control systems kick in, but the car handles very well. I was especialy impressed with the way the car stops. I haven't even felt the ABS yet. More likely that is the tires then the car but still awsome!.

Only complaint, is the car is a little low, and it acted like a snow plow in areas where the snow built up, and made it a little tricky changing lanes as the snow built up between the lanes. It makes you feel good when other drivers stare int amazement as they see how well the car handles in snow. One guy even got out of his car for a closer look. For a moment I thought I was going to get car jacked, and I was just ready to gun it out of there. But he was cool and complimented the noce car.

I think the 350 will also preforem very well with the right tires on. Lexus has done a great job on this car.

twkid84

quick answer

stock tire:impossible

winter tire: definitely drivable

sourceersonal experience

tcho82

iTrader: (1)

I've got a set of 17's I got from tire rack with Blizzak snow tires. I love them. Despite the pounding of snow we've got the last month or two, they've been great, and haven't had any second thoughts of driving my 350 out on those days.

1022it

what is snow? i live in arizona & it was 74 degrees out today