Buddiiee

I did a search to find out how these things work & all I got was some guesses thrown around. I'm confused because in the thread I found, which is here: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-awd-work.html it says the thread's from 2007; but in this article here http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...-awd-take-two/ it says your Lexus didn't have an AWD system for their sedans until 2011 so... now what.

At any rate, this is for people who drive theirs in snow - how does it feel? Any slippage at all? Does your back end kick out at all when on ice? When at a stoplight in the rain or bad snow, can you accelerate quickly without sittin' & spinning? And lastly, does anyone KNOW how the system works? Is it actually on all the time or only during a slip event. When it is on, what's the torque split between the front & the rear? If it isn't always on, which axle is being driven all the time? Thanks for the help guys.

Aspect

I own an IS250 but I'm pretty sure it reacts the same but I feel pretty confident in the snow performance. Currently running Michelin X-Ice 3s 225/45/17 on all four corners and I love the snow. Up here in ON, Canada we get a lot of snow every year and I've never been stuck no matter how bad it's been. Consecutive 40cm snow storms? no problem. When the rear loses it it's extremely predictable. I can reliably charge into deep snow no problem. I don't think I've ever driven on pure ice so I can't comment. You can accelerate from a stop pretty reliably with or without traction control on depending on your tires ofc, most times the traction control kicks in to cut power and get you off the line and the IS250 only has 165 whp or 204 hp so not sure it'll be feasible in the IS350. Always active AWD system with Rear drive bias. Pretty sure IIRC it's a 30% Front 70% Rear split in normal conditions and can change up to 50% front 50% rear during detected slip.

Not saying the IS is a luxury rally car or it's snow performance being close to Audi Quattro, Subarus, and Mitsubishi EVOs S-AWC. The biggest point for winter driving is being well equipped with the best tires you can get. I think Blizzaks are the best in deep snow and X-Ice are better on ice.

kolyan

I think it's 20/80 and up to 50/50

Slippage depends on the tires used. If you run All-seasons it will be worse then RWD car with winter tires

Buddiiee

Ahh I see. Ok guys thanks, that was all really good information. In the snow I'll always run dedicated snow tires, and good summer tires for the rest of the months. It's just I'm coming from a WRX and even on ice I've maybe seen my traction control light kick on twice in 2 years. I hope these cars are even somewhat close. If they are I'll be happy. Thanks!

One more question; in the dry months, can you hammer it from a stop light & not spin any of the tires?

Bichon

No, it says that the IS350 wasn't available with AWD until 2011. The IS250 was available in AWD when the 2nd generation IS launched in the 2006 model year.

Buddiiee

Ahh. I just assumed they wouldn't voluntarily withhold new technology across the same exact platform; the IS. I could see if the gs or es got something and they withheld it from a lower platform but on the same platform? I thought that was weird. Ah well that's cool. Thanks guys.