Does the IS350 RWD handle terribly in snow or is it just mine?
12-06-10, 10:16 AM
#47
Super Moderator
The way it is supposed to work is that when one tire loses grip, the traction control computer reduces engine power and applies the brakes on the spinning wheel, transferring torque to the other side. Not as good as a true LSD, but better than nothing.
12-06-10, 10:38 AM
#48
Keep in mind your mileage will be worse when your car is cold. The engine idles much higher until the engine is completely warmed up, so on short trips in cooler weather, expect your mileage to take a dip. I'm averaging 10.5L/100km (22mpg for those who cannot accept the metric system) in cold weather, and that includes the occasional hoonage in the snow.
12-06-10, 04:06 PM
#50
Just to clarify, I do have winter tires that are in good shape. I tried parallel parking at school today at a spot with snow and it got in fairly well. However, driving down the ally where snow isn't plowed away and snow has melted and froze in some areas, this car simply can't handle it. I tried parking in my garage and when I was driving up the 3-4 inch incline, it simply wouldn't climb in. Without pressing the gas pedal and leaving the car to move the 4-5 MPH it does by itself, the rear wheels keep spinning on the ice in the middle of the ally and my car was rolling out of the garage (backwards) even when the tires are spinning forward. I finally got in after gunning it to 4000 RPM after taking it easy but that didn't work.
12-06-10, 04:10 PM
#51
Lexus Champion
Then maybe it's your "snow" tires. LOL I know what you are talking about, you're describing what my car felt like when it had on summer sports. When I switched to real "snow" tires, my IS drove like it was on rails. I hardly ever saw the yellow warning unless I was playing around. And that's here in KS with moderate snow. I hardly ever use snow mode.
12-06-10, 04:14 PM
#52
Then maybe it's your "snow" tires. LOL I know what you are talking about, you're describing what my car felt like when it had on summer sports. When I switched to real "snow" tires, my IS drove like it was on rails. I hardly ever saw the yellow warning unless I was playing around. And that's here in KS with moderate snow. I hardly ever use snow mode.
Seems like I may have been mistaken. It is the IS-F from 2009 and up that have true limited slip differentials.
12-08-10, 02:23 PM
#53
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I gotta say, you're the most mature 18yo I've heard on the internet. Last 18yo I saw on the internet was arguing over how justin bieber is better than john lennon with ThIS KinDA TyPInG. So I gotta give you a 
for being a mature 18yo lol. As for driving your car in snow I don't think it is the problem of the car but the way you drive it as others have mentioned. Altho mine is a manual 250 I manged to go through two Canadian winter. A few people I know who owns a 350 never had any problem either. Just a few tips for driving in snow. Throttle control is very important especially with a car that has over 300 horsepower, and putting it in snow mode definitely helps alot. Put some weight in the trunk helps to gain traction on a rwd vehicle. Hope they help and enjoy your 350! I wish I have a 350 when I was 18 you're very lucky
for being a mature 18yo lol. As for driving your car in snow I don't think it is the problem of the car but the way you drive it as others have mentioned. Altho mine is a manual 250 I manged to go through two Canadian winter. A few people I know who owns a 350 never had any problem either. Just a few tips for driving in snow. Throttle control is very important especially with a car that has over 300 horsepower, and putting it in snow mode definitely helps alot. Put some weight in the trunk helps to gain traction on a rwd vehicle. Hope they help and enjoy your 350! I wish I have a 350 when I was 18 you're very lucky
12-08-10, 07:55 PM
#56
Might have to play with the gas and breaks to get the traction going so the other wheel can move.
Unless one is willing upgrade and get an aftermarket locking LSD, then it woud make a difference.
http://www.osgiken.co.jp/news/lexus/index.html
http://www.dezod.com/pd-os-giken-limited.cfm
Unless one is willing upgrade and get an aftermarket locking LSD, then it woud make a difference.
http://www.osgiken.co.jp/news/lexus/index.html
http://www.dezod.com/pd-os-giken-limited.cfm
Last edited by Sango; 12-08-10 at 08:01 PM.
12-08-10, 09:11 PM
#59
We just got nailed with an inch of sheet ice here in WA, and my IS made it 5 blocks before getting parked in a lot for 2 days. The wide GoodYears F1 AS on the rear were 100% worthless. Every time I released the brake (at idle) the rears simply spun and shoved itself against the curb while my nose just sat there.
As of yesterday I'm on 17" rims and new Blizzaks WS70's (225/45 all around).
Your tires (Blizzaks) are considered one of the best out there, but if you are still running wide widths, you could be having problems there. Snow and Ice tires should be as narrow as possible.
2 cents
V
As of yesterday I'm on 17" rims and new Blizzaks WS70's (225/45 all around).
Your tires (Blizzaks) are considered one of the best out there, but if you are still running wide widths, you could be having problems there. Snow and Ice tires should be as narrow as possible.
2 cents
V
12-08-10, 10:26 PM
#60
We just got nailed with an inch of sheet ice here in WA, and my IS made it 5 blocks before getting parked in a lot for 2 days. The wide GoodYears F1 AS on the rear were 100% worthless. Every time I released the brake (at idle) the rears simply spun and shoved itself against the curb while my nose just sat there.
As of yesterday I'm on 17" rims and new Blizzaks WS70's (225/45 all around).
Your tires (Blizzaks) are considered one of the best out there, but if you are still running wide widths, you could be having problems there. Snow and Ice tires should be as narrow as possible.
2 cents
V
As of yesterday I'm on 17" rims and new Blizzaks WS70's (225/45 all around).
Your tires (Blizzaks) are considered one of the best out there, but if you are still running wide widths, you could be having problems there. Snow and Ice tires should be as narrow as possible.
2 cents
V