Dx3

iTrader: (13)

Guys,

Been speaking with a friend about the GS400 handling in the snow. He is considering buying one and asked how it was in the snow. I have not owned mine in the winter so I couldn't answer. From reading around we got mixed reviews.

So what do you guys think?? Does it handle well in the snow or no?

Thx,
Jonny

17gs400

yes with good winter tires

Lexy GS430

imo rear wheel drive cars are just plan terrible in snow period, but maybe he could do it if he had really gootires with plenty of tread.

Push

RWD isnt that bad in snow. You just need to be a good driver, and be alert. Its harder yes, but doable.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Please try using the search feature in even more detail you'll get lots of info, no waiting!...you'll get the same 'mixed answers' here with the reading you already did though Most think the GS stinks in snow, a couple think it handles fine with the proper wheels + tires


For example, here are a few threads about the GS in snow / ice found by looking for keywords like "snow handle" in the GS forum
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=102940
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=97253
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=30388
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=75306
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=snow+handle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=snow+handle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=snow+handle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=snow+handle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=snow+handle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=snow+handle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=snow

tuddy

this winner coming up is gonna be my first with my GS..are there anythings i should look out for?

sputniknyc

iTrader: (2)

some recomendations on winter tires would be nice.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=103160 Winter setting for wiper blades

GS Coolant flush DIY
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=92160

Maintenance:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=60527 (winter storage)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=60855 (more winter storage of car)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=59230 (antifreeze mix)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=103691 (car warm up)

Detailing
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=99000 (Winter 101)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=98570 (Winter Prep)

Tires and Wheels
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/faqs.html (Excellent winter FAQs - not active now but should come back)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=95801 (Specials)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=99286 (winter storage of wheels)


For snow tires try search as well please both in the GS & in the Wheels and Tires forum
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=106266
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=148411
among many many others.... try searching for them please

PHML

iTrader: (33)

I would think All season tires or winter tires will play a big role in how it handles in the snow....but its good to know there is a SNOW setting.

UDel

Although RWD is not as good as FWD or AWD in the snow with the proper snow tires and knowing the proper way too drive in snow/ice it is not as bad as some may say and a GS should not be any more difficult then most cars. Still driving should be avoided on snow/ice covered roads especially with rwd cars with no snow tires and traction control unless you absolutely need to go out in it. I have a question, has anybody tried adding weight in the trunk of a rwd drive car like the GS maybe a few 25lb plates to help with traction in snow/ice kind of like how people put weight in the back of pickup truck beds when driving in slippery conditions or is it a waste of time.

A few years ago I did have a friend who was following me in his IS300 and I was in a 96 Accord. The roads had snow and some ice on them and when I went to make a turn I was able to take it fine with no slipping or any problems yet when my friend made the same turn at the same speed for some reason his IS lost control hit the side divider and went into a ditch. He said he was unsure what caused it but it seemed the rear slid out from him. When we researched this we found out this has happend before to a couple of owners and in a issue of Autoweek they reported a long term IS300 loosing control and crashing on snow/ice and complained about its poor weather driving characteristics. I don't know how similiar the weight distribution and other variables are for the IS and GS but it does not seem as common on the GS.

jonathancl

The GS (and the LS in my experience) is just plain lousy in snow.
It's heavy, rwd, and has wide tires, all liabilities in snow.

Yes, if you put snow tires on it AND change the way you drive, you'll be fine. Hell even all season tires will be fine if you're super careful and don't drive during heavy accululation.

I drove two Camrys before my GS and they were far superior in snow. But they weren't nearly as much fun or as cool at any other time. That's the trade, and there's no shame in it.

CPALex

A rear wheel drive car in snow works just fine. I grew up driving rear wheel drive cars in the snow and as long as you know what you're doing you'll have no problems (except perhaps for idiots who don['t know what they're doing). One that I drove from time to time was a 1976 Cadillac - it was a boat but heavy enough to hold to the road well enough. You may add some weight to the trunk of the GS. Just remember - no quick movements. Don't make quick turns - don't hit the brakes quickly and don't hit the throttle quickly. In the snow you do everything slowly and with a little practice you'll be fine.

Tuna

i agree completely...i drove a Toyota MR2 for 2 straight winters and never had problems to speak of. and those are mid-engine (which makes it even worse because of snap oversteer) and they don't have any traction control...i even drove that thing through the Rockies in a blizzard that had already dropped a foot of snow and they weren't plowing...i'll be driving my GS4 in the winter for sure

engin_ear

iTrader: (1)

I COMPLETELY DISAGREE with this, assuming you're implying that you don't need snow tires. You can get yourself easily KILLED if you don't realize what's happening with your car. All you need is to get in one sticky situation on a highway and you're done. You really need to properly prepare the CAR for wiinter drivng, I don't care if you're Bob Bondurant. The GS does NOT handle like any old rear wheel drive car, esp. not a '76 Caddy. Hey, I had a '74 Cutlass with 4-barrel carb, and I never had the problems I had in the GS. You also can't do EVERYTHING slowly because you get forced into ugly situations that you did not plan to be in. Traction control and ABS help, but not much on unexpected ice. The engine 'snow' mode is very helpful, but won't do a damn thing to help braking or steering out of trouble.

For the GS, you need winter tires, otherwise it's a gamble. Summer tires lose traction way too quickly, and all-seasons just don't cut it. I run Michelin Pilot Sport A/S most of the year, which is arguably the best all-season, GREAT in the wet, and it can't cut it in the winter snows. You need highly siped tires like Blizzaks, Michelin Pilot Alpin, Pirelli Wintersport, etc. with the proper winter tread compound. ANY added weight in the trunk will help, weightlifting free-weights work well, since the weight doesn't tend to shift around if the car gets loose. Me, I bought an extra set of stock wheels with winter tires to run in winter, they don't look that great, but I like my life. The car handles horribly without them.

This shouldn't stop anybody who's serious from getting a GS. The benefits greatly outweigh the minor winter drawback.

engin_ear

iTrader: (1)

Comparing your MR2 and the GS is like comparing a water buffalo and a gazelle - they're completely different animals. A mid-engine is not worse than RWD. The weight distribution is much better, that's why the mid-engine in the first place. Even with oversteer you don't lose traction the same way. For your sake, I wouldn't make the assumptions you're making, be careful. I went off the road (perpendicular) in my Supra in the snow many years ago, and believe me - it ain't fun. I'll bet you your GS4 could never make it thru that blizzard....