rc awd & snow
#1
rc awd & snow
New guy here from the RX forum. My awd RX has be great but I am interested in a new ski vehicle. I spend some time at Lake Tahoe during ski season, traveling from the SF bay area to Lake Tahoe, about 180 miles. Want to be comfortable and not use chains. Looking for input on awd RC in moderate snowy conditions.
#2
Hey there weinkaufjr, I drive my RC350 AWD F-Sport in the snow here in Colorado and it does pretty well.
Tires make all the difference, however, even with AWD. If you like stopping and turning anyway I have the stock tires which here are an all season I think. If you're going to be traveling any sort of distance in snow, in traffic, through Donner Pass or that area, I would say snow tires and the AWD RC are a solid combination.
It helps that the car weighs 4,000 lbs.
Tires make all the difference, however, even with AWD. If you like stopping and turning anyway I have the stock tires which here are an all season I think. If you're going to be traveling any sort of distance in snow, in traffic, through Donner Pass or that area, I would say snow tires and the AWD RC are a solid combination.
It helps that the car weighs 4,000 lbs.
#3
Just remember the ground clearance on the RC is a lot less than the RX and if expect snow more than 4 or 5" you might want to stick with the RX, especially on a trip that long.
New guy here from the RX forum. My awd RX has be great but I am interested in a new ski vehicle. I spend some time at Lake Tahoe during ski season, traveling from the SF bay area to Lake Tahoe, about 180 miles. Want to be comfortable and not use chains. Looking for input on awd RC in moderate snowy conditions.
#4
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the GS, IS & RC all use the same AWD system. My GS truly surprised me with how good it is in the snow. I would say with snow depth less than 4 inches, I actually think the GS is more stable in the snow than my Jeep.
My concern about driving it to say Lake Tahoe would be deep snow.
My concern about driving it to say Lake Tahoe would be deep snow.
#5
Thanks for the feedback. The roads are plowed pretty regularly so unplowed snow over a few inches is rare in the places I go. Usually just enough snow that the highway dept requires chains to be put on but if you have awd with M+S tires you are good to go without chains. Donner Summit in a storm is an interesting drive.
Limited availability of awd vehicles but I drove a rwd yesterday and liked it. I have a print out on a awd vehicle that I am considering but have not had the opportunity to get a firsthand look at it. When the tires are indicated as “All season Tires” do they have the M+S designation? Its a 19 " tire if that matters. (235/40r19)
Limited availability of awd vehicles but I drove a rwd yesterday and liked it. I have a print out on a awd vehicle that I am considering but have not had the opportunity to get a firsthand look at it. When the tires are indicated as “All season Tires” do they have the M+S designation? Its a 19 " tire if that matters. (235/40r19)
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#10
The problem is that if he puts snows on it for his trips skiing he has to drive on snows when he's home in CA and they're actually a detriment to his traction.
Never gets cold enough in the bay area to need winter tires.
Its like wearing ski boots all the time because he goes skiing a few times a winter.
Never gets cold enough in the bay area to need winter tires.
Its like wearing ski boots all the time because he goes skiing a few times a winter.
#13
The problem is that if he puts snows on it for his trips skiing he has to drive on snows when he's home in CA and they're actually a detriment to his traction.
Never gets cold enough in the bay area to need winter tires.
Its like wearing ski boots all the time because he goes skiing a few times a winter.
Never gets cold enough in the bay area to need winter tires.
Its like wearing ski boots all the time because he goes skiing a few times a winter.
Last edited by weinkaufjr; 01-22-15 at 10:51 AM.
#14
#15
Thanks for giving me a comfort level on this vehicle. I brought home an awd home yesterday. There were only 2 awd in Northern CA. This one is Nebula Gray Pearl with black interior, colors I like and is well equipped. Nice car to drive. About 6.5 inches bottom clearance (2 less than my RX) but I think it will be sufficient for the highway snow amounts I anticipate. With the fold down rear seat I do not see any problem with a couple of pair of skis and gear for two skiers but that would be max. 19 inch tires are marked M+S so I think I am good to go if we ever get any snow, terrible ski season at Lake Tahoe so far this year.