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I was surprised LKA worked when the roads were partially covered. Radar cruise doesn't work when flakes are falling though. I also got a message on my infotainment screen to clean off the front right parking sensor which I thought was cool.
I've never had dedicated snow tires, but driving the RWD LS460 in snow is a last resort and should be avoided if possible. I am spoiled in the snow with my GX470 which is phenomenal in the worst weather.
Here's where I would rank my LS460 on daily driving commute when it snows over 3 inches. I'm talking normal highways that haven't been plowed, etc.
Fiat 500 Manual FWD on non studded Nokian Hakkas>>RWD 2009 LS460 on cheap chinese winter Sailun tires >>>2017 Volvo XC90 on Continental all seasons<<Lexus LX470 on Michelin LTX MS2
-Source I live in ski towns out west every winter where its normal to dump 3-5 feet in one storm.
No, I've tried the all season tires with the snowflake logo like the Michelin CrossClimate. They are a joke. In order to get that snowflake logo, all it has to test over is 10% the stopping performance of an all season. Its the silica in the compound and the little additional siping that give it that snowflake. I will never run 4 season snowflake tires in my life. They are a compromise over everything, not great at winter duties, and also louder than 4 season/summer tires. If you live somewhere that gets below 40f in the winter, the tried and true set up is a set of winter dedicated wheels in the winter, and a set of all-season/summers for the other 2/3rds of the year.
I've tried the all season tires with the snowflake logo like the Michelin CrossClimate. They are a joke.
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I will never run 4 season snowflake tires in my life.
2014 AWD on brand new P7 series 1, no problems at all here in MI. We've had up to 5 inches on the road this year and the LS was unbothered, I even drove into an unplowed lot with around 8 inches, and it just plowed (literally) right on through.
I have Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 studded tires on my SWB 2015 AWD, best winter tires bar none. Drive it all winter in all kinds of snow, ice, blizzard, ice fog, etc. Take the wife's GX when things are "really bad". High mode (air suspension) and snow mode help. Plowed through about 8" of snow in a drift driving it to work early in the morning today, was blowing snow, icy. No problems. It's -44 with windchill here (-47 Fahrenheit for US guys). Starts just fine as long as it's plugged in, takes a little bit to warm up.
These cars are fine for winter and snow other than ground clearance as any car is quite low and has its drawbacks in winter highway driving vs an SUV or truck.
2014 RWD (previously 2007 RWD). Always had Michelin all seasons - Pilot HX on the '07 and Premier A/S on the '14. Not great on snow (but better than my prior '92 and '01 RWD BMW 5 series).
When it does snow ive pushed limits with a lowered rwd chassis and really suprised myself in the worst conditions. Even without a factory LSD it can be fairly predictable. I run Pirelli Sottozero’s on my factory BBS.
Coming from someone who learned to drive on mountain roads in WV in rear-wheel-drive cars I've yet to really see anything snow-wise that gives me any concern with my AWD LS. I used to take a Mk I and Mk II Supra skiing in the winter and always got where I needed to go. And back. (Wouldn't do that now, but I was a lot more reckless 30 years ago). Know your ability and try not to out-drive your talent. Ice is an entirely different ballgame. I don't care how good you are, real ice will put you in the ditch, into someone else, or them into you.
Coming from someone who learned to drive on mountain roads in WV in rear-wheel-drive cars I've yet to really see anything snow-wise that gives me any concern with my AWD LS. I used to take a Mk I and Mk II Supra skiing in the winter and always got where I needed to go. And back. (Wouldn't do that now, but I was a lot more reckless 30 years ago). Know your ability and try not to out-drive your talent. Ice is an entirely different ballgame. I don't care how good you are, real ice will put you in the ditch, into someone else, or them into you.
The scariest snow and ice driving experience of my life was with my old Mk3 Supra. It had a limited slip differential and summer slicks. Doing 180 degree spins just because I lifted off the gas, yikes! I’m much older and more mature now, and quite grateful that nothing bad happened with that car.
02-01-21, 05:43 PM
