Maybe a RWD 3IS Wasn't Such a Good Idea!!!!
02-12-14, 09:21 PM
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Maybe a RWD 3IS Wasn't Such a Good Idea!!!!
So another snow storm is hitting the northeast coast, anywhere from 8-12 inches.I reside In the DC metro area. This evening my wife and I decided to head to the grocery store even though there was only an inch on the ground. On our way home we hit one hill and I was surprised how bad the traction was, or actually lack there of. We were sliding all over and were barely moving a couple times. Once we finally got to our townhouse, I could barely make it pass our driveway curb and in to my small incline driveway. Once actually on the driveway, had to stop to let my wife out the car (garage is only big enough for one side to open the door once parked). Then I proceeded to pull the the car in the garage but couldn't move!!!! Had to put some salt on the ground to gain some traction and get moving.
Wondering if anyone in the area is having similar bad experiences or if other RWD owners in general has had the same issues? Maybe I should have gotten the AWD instead, but I figure there would be only a week or two most each yr of snow. The other 50 weeks would be full of decent weather to drive in, plus I didn't want to give up the 8speed auto. But man today was the first time I really regretted getting the RWD, instead of AWD.
Wondering if anyone in the area is having similar bad experiences or if other RWD owners in general has had the same issues? Maybe I should have gotten the AWD instead, but I figure there would be only a week or two most each yr of snow. The other 50 weeks would be full of decent weather to drive in, plus I didn't want to give up the 8speed auto. But man today was the first time I really regretted getting the RWD, instead of AWD.
Last edited by AdvanSLF; 02-12-14 at 09:37 PM.
02-12-14, 09:23 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
Is that with the stock summer tires or something else?
02-12-14, 09:48 PM
#5
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
I'm still running stock summers. Seriously considering getting some blizzaks but I don't know if that will even make a difference or not considering the RWD drivetrain? If anyone has experience with the winter tires let me know.
02-12-14, 09:59 PM
#6
As stated I have Micheline X-Ice Xi3 winter tires and these are great. They are one of the best rated winter tires on tirerack.com. Performs well in all road conditions with great comfort and low noise.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...=true&filter=y
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...=true&filter=y
02-12-14, 10:30 PM
#7
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Looking into those tires now. What size did you get Sony? I see they have the fronts, 225/40/18, but no rears available at 255/35/18 (factory specs).
Maybe I should do 225/50/18 fronts and 255/45/18 rears? Wonder if the extra 10mm on the sidewall will create rubbing issues?
Maybe I should do 225/50/18 fronts and 255/45/18 rears? Wonder if the extra 10mm on the sidewall will create rubbing issues?
Trending Topics
02-12-14, 10:50 PM
#10
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: UT
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RWD will never be as good as AWD for traction, but Winter tires (blizzaks are my vote) will go a LONG way. However, if it's really only a couple weeks a year, it's not worth spending the money on winter tires for that. Just know your limitations and avoid going out on those few days...who wants to go out in the cold anyways 
02-12-14, 11:31 PM
#11
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: BC
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After reading your story, you and your wife should feel lucky that you guys made it home safely. I would absolutely never drive on summer tires even if there was just 1 cm of snow on the road. The compound used in summer tires are too soft and the rubber hardens up below 40F. Combine this with snow and you have a recipe for disaster. Since you guys only see 1 or 2 days of snow throughout the entire year, I would recommend getting a set of all season tires at least to safely get around during winter. You'll notice the difference in grip immediately with all seasons and even greater traction and shorter stopping distance with winter tires. AWD surely provides better grip during acceleration but a vehicle equipped with summer tires will stop the same regardless if its AWD, RWD, FWD, etc. Please drive safely!
02-12-14, 11:36 PM
#12
After reading your story, you and your wife should feel lucky that you guys made it home safely. I would absolutely never drive on summer tires even if there was just 1 cm of snow on the road. The compound used in summer tires are too soft and the rubber hardens up below 40F. Combine this with snow and you have a recipe for disaster. Since you guys only see 1 or 2 days of snow throughout the entire year, I would recommend getting a set of all season tires at least to safely get around during winter. You'll notice the difference in grip immediately with all seasons and even greater traction and shorter stopping distance with winter tires. AWD surely provides better grip during acceleration but a vehicle equipped with summer tires will stop the same regardless if its AWD, RWD, FWD, etc. Please drive safely!
02-13-14, 05:05 AM
#15
So another snow storm is hitting the northeast coast, anywhere from 8-12 inches.I reside In the DC metro area. This evening my wife and I decided to head to the grocery store even though there was only an inch on the ground. On our way home we hit one hill and I was surprised how bad the traction was, or actually lack there of. We were sliding all over and were barely moving a couple times. Once we finally got to our townhouse, I could barely make it pass our driveway curb and in to my small incline driveway. Once actually on the driveway, had to stop to let my wife out the car (garage is only big enough for one side to open the door once parked). Then I proceeded to pull the the car in the garage but couldn't move!!!! Had to put some salt on the ground to gain some traction and get moving.
Wondering if anyone in the area is having similar bad experiences or if other RWD owners in general has had the same issues? Maybe I should have gotten the AWD instead, but I figure there would be only a week or two most each yr of snow. The other 50 weeks would be full of decent weather to drive in, plus I didn't want to give up the 8speed auto. But man today was the first time I really regretted getting the RWD, instead of AWD.
Wondering if anyone in the area is having similar bad experiences or if other RWD owners in general has had the same issues? Maybe I should have gotten the AWD instead, but I figure there would be only a week or two most each yr of snow. The other 50 weeks would be full of decent weather to drive in, plus I didn't want to give up the 8speed auto. But man today was the first time I really regretted getting the RWD, instead of AWD.
I've been caught in the slightest bit of snow while on summers and it's very bad. Do yourself a favor and invest in winter tires, and if possible, a cheap set of wheels to mount them once you've hit consistent 40 F and below.
I'm in neighboring MD and I've been driving my F year round with proper tires and I've had no problems related to traction. Tires are the ONLY part of the car touching the road, don't overlook them.