LEXITT

I was wondering, is the rwd 50/50 left/right rear wheel distribution? i have a 2001 gs 300, thanks.

jonathancl

As opposed to...?

mooretorque

Should be pretty close but regardless, the major traction issue is the open rear differential.

Cadd

Short answer, YES. If you jack the car up and hit the gas, both rear wheels will turn (putting out about the same power).

However, like mooretorque stated, it has an open differential. Which means when you start to lose traction, the wheel with the LEAST traction will get more power.

To test: put the left side of the car on ICE and the right side of the car on dry pavement. Then choke both front wheels. Get in the car and hit the gas. Once the rear left wheel starts to slip (due to ICE on the floor), the rear right wheel won't get much power. You won't be going anywhere and only the rear left wheel (on ICE) will be spinning. The rear right wheel won't be doing anything.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

that's correct, you start running into problems when loss of traction. on dry it's all good

LEXITT

wow, this is exactly why i was asking, i was trying to back into a driveway and my right rear had some ice and the car would not move, even though there is dry pavemet on the other side, as much as i love this car, it really pissed me off, it took me 30 min to back into the driveway. My friends maxima had no problems. Ughh i am wondering how you guys drive in the winter?

thanks for all the replies.

Cadd

Your friend's Maxima is FWD. That means it has the entire engine's weight sitting on top of the front wheels (which helps prevent wheel spin).

What I don't understand is why Lexus did not offer LSD as an OEM option. The 1st gen IS300s have it!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

like mentioned before, the maxima is a fwd, which is better in snow already. having a rwd in snow is always tough no matter what. even with lsd (usually the torsen), it doesn't mean you get all power. if you are on ice, you are still in trouble coz' the torsen can't transfer a multiple of no power to the other wheel (the nature of the lsd).

rominl

iTrader: (4)

good question, i wonder why too. i guess they didn't think the gs is sporty enough?

flossn

So that's what the thuds are when I hit the gas and it sounds like the car is going to fall apart? Yeah it surprises me that they didn't have it standard.

LEXITT

I thought that there was something wrong with my car, I am looking forward to the new gs with AWD.