The G Man

Does anyone know what the snow mode button does on the GS350 AWD. Is it the same as my old GX which has a 2nd gear start button for driving in the snow?

Mesca

iTrader: (28)

It's the exact opposite of ECT power. In Power it will shift later which equals higher RPM. In Snow, it will shift earlier and keep the RPM low so your tires have less chance of spinning and losing control in the snow

rominl

iTrader: (4)

more than that. i believe it starts in 2nd gear, and your gas pedal becomes like "retarded". you can press hard on gas but the car just accelerate slowly

I8ABMR

It will start the car in 2nd and the car will reduce throtle response and engine output to maintain the higher level of grip.. all of this results in less slip

Eiso

Should we turn on the ECT Power when we are encountering wet/slippery surface...?

Mesca

iTrader: (28)

And also turn off the VSC so you can drift! but if that's a serious question no, if anything it should be on snow, or you can just keep it on regular

fazooley1

I just got back from Wyndham mountain upstate and prettu much left the car in ECT SNOW the whole time. There were alot of roads; especially the side ones which our house was located were covered with snow and ice. The GS performed flawlessly. This is what makes me so happy I finally got up enough sense to buy a regular car again. My Aston Vantage is the worst daily driver ever and my 430spyder was the another nightmare. Could be just living in the city had 85% to do with it but whatever. It just too bad down in NYC these lexuses are about as exclusive as a hyundai, lol

fazooley

The G Man

Is it save to leave it on snow mode on the highway?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

define safe. it's never unsafe to drive a corolla on the highway, right? with snow mode your car is just much slower that's all

The G Man

Thank rominl, now all I need is some snow to test out the snow mode

rominl

iTrader: (4)

lol you don't need snow to test the snow mode. just put it in snow now and you will see what i mean it's SLOW

beercity

G Man....

You're itching for the snow. I love it. 7-11 more inches due for us here in the brew city.... i'll be crankin up the snowblower tomorrow morning... then the GS to navigate the white surfaces. No problems so far, I have used the snow mode a little, but not too much. Per the other posts, it seems to start you out slower and not allow the gunning of the gas... which, most seasoned snow drivers don't really do... unless they're testing the traction or fooling around.

Hopefully this storm comes your way and you get to enjoy the white surface driving.

The G Man

Thanks beercity, send it this way
No such luck, they are predicting rain from that strom. Do you find the snow mode useful at all? Here in New England, its been a pretty mild and snow free Jan.

kyang91

iTrader: (5)

I think it works just like the one that you have on your GX, I personally used it many time since I am in Indiana and we get a lot of snow here. It works pretty well.....

beercity

I'm not really sure if it's 'made a difference'. I mean, it's not going to stop you from sliding through a curve at 40mph. It 'assist' in your starting, in that its in a higher gear, so the tires don't spin. And I guess it's also not giving the engine all the gas if you stomp on the pedal. I haven't tried those things yet in all the snow we've had. I'll plan on doing it next time I drive.