Kimchiguy

I tried doing a search for this topic but came up with nothing so apologies if it's been covered. With IS500s getting delivered the past couple of months - has anyone in the Northern US or Canadian provinces put winter tires on their cars and driven them in snow? How's the winter driving capabilities?

Answer

It's RWD, so not the best in snow, but with good tires and some driver skills, its not an issue.
I don't have one currently, but chatted with a guy near me, and that's what he said.

drawg22

I will let you know. I'm getting mine a week from today and have the extra set of wheels with winter tires for it. They will go on immediately at the dealer so I will let you know as soon as I drive in the snow here in Iowa.

TGPCanada

I honestly cannot imagine it's going to be a problem at all. Sure, its' RWD , but with some decent snow tires you should be good to go. This car is quite heavy too.

Not an equal comparison by any means, but I've been driving my 21 IS350 AWD through snow this winter with the stock all seasons that came with the car, and it is ploughing through the snow no problem.
Even braking is not bad. Of course, there is also an art to knowing how to drive in the snow.

If and when I get an IS500, I have no reservation whatsoever about driving it in the winter with a decent pair of snow tires.

Kimchiguy

Thanks for the insights, everyone! I've gone ahead and put a deposit down on an IS500 and I'll be ordering winter tires.

TGPCanada

What colour are you getting? What part of the GTA are you in? I'm in the west end .

cbroccoli

Curious what tires you’re finding. The best I could get was Pilot Sport All Season. Not ideal winter tires but winters in Philadelphia aren’t that harsh. A few snow days a year probably. Would’ve liked to get something more specifically suited for winter but tire rack didn’t have anything listed that would fit.

Kimchiguy

I'm getting the Launch Edition Incognito. I'm in West GTA as well! I used to attend Club Lexus Toronto meet ups but I'm not sure if those still happen?

Kimchiguy

I decided to go with Continental ContiWinterContact TS830P since they were cheaper than the Pirelli Sottozeros. I'm mounting the tires on the OEM staggered 19" rims.

cbroccoli

what size tires did you get?

Kimchiguy

Same as OEM factory specFront: 235/40R19, Rear: 265/35R19

Moonman89

Mine got stuck when I reversed it out of the garage onto my driveway with fresh snow about 2 inches in Michigan.

AmbyBomb

With what tires?

LH1

I'm assuming this was with the summer only Potenzas?

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is your front CONTIWINTERCONTACT N0? and rear MO?
tire rack told me they are not sure they have same styles. do both tires work out for you?

thanks in advance