Mikeswing

Texas doesn't get much ice or snow period and now we got us some s@%$! Does the traction control really help that much on the GS? Should I put on the 'snow' traction? What does each do and how are they different from each other? Thanks in advance.

Captain Bone

In Ice or Snow I would STRONLY recommend the Snow mode. Even in rain, I find myself sometimes using the Snow mode to get some extra traction. Take things pretty slow and don't do nothing drastic. I believe snow mode skips first gear and gears there forward slowly. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. All in all though, just take it slow!

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Snow mode doesn't skip first gear but does significantly restrict the torque, definitely a good idea on snow/ice.

On ice though, your best bet is DON'T DRIVE THE CAR.

Mikeswing

Thanks fellas. Good advise. I'm chillin at home tonight and my GS3 will too. Now I have another question. What exactly does the power mode do and what happens if I take off the traction control? Pictures of accidents are not neccesary. Thanks!

mooretorque

POWER mode delays upshifts (at a given throttle position) and downshifts sooner. Both are to provide better part throttle acceleration. It does not magically add hp nor does it shift faster.

Turning off TRAC will provide lurid entertainment in snowy conditions as *** end of car comes to ask front end if anything better happening up there, iow, instant oversteer. Shortly followed by banging, thumping sounds of car jumping curb and/or hitting other stuff like cars, trees, etc. Not recommended.

I'm taking the RX tomorrow.

BananaGS

Do drive. PERIOD. (ps if you don't hit someone, someone will hit you) you are talking about texas here, lot of bad drivers in rain or snow. hee hee

AggieLS

I'll tell you one thing - I just moved from Austin and boy oh boy do snow tires make a significant difference. I'm up in Illinois now and took off my Michelin Pilot XGT's and installed Artic Alpins and its like night and day on snow/ice. Using the snow mode helped some the first day I had the car and we got about an inch here but I still had lots of difficulting just getting to my temp apartment. Called Tire Rack and they overnighted a set of tires, had them installed and got to experience fresh snow with some ice and no comparison. Decided not to get wheels too as I will be moving into a new GS or LS once the '04's hit the street.

Still used the VSC and traction control several times but a real world of difference. I know you don't need them all year but if you are like me and really love your GS, I wouldn't take the chance. My local tire dealer mounted the new winter tires for $60, and is storing my summer tires and will remount them and store my winter's for about $60 bucks total. Worth the $120 to me to let him do the work and ensure the balance using the Hunter machine each time.

Just noticed my profile still says Austin so I gotta go change that to Illinois now.

UTGS400

LOL. Out of all the days the roads had to ice over it had to be today. My car is in the shop having some new toys installed so I was forced to ride my motorcycle. Riding a motorcyle in 30 degree weather with percipitation has to be one of the dumbest things I have ever done.

///MDex

Exactly what I was thinking. It's more than likely not worth the risk to yourself, your car, or others.

The GS is a greased pig in inclemet weather of the frozen kind, even with OEM 17s, so if you HAVE to get out, call a taxi.

Stealther

I spit my coke on the screen, thx very much!

brianb

Drive my 1991 Nissan Maxima.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Um, maybe your brain went faster than your fingers... perhaps you meant "Do NOT drive." ??

tod071

don't think you want my advice (look where I live), but I do hear snow/ice is not a fun experience. I called Dell and their business section was closed due to the bad weather in TX.