IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present) Discussion about the 2014+ model IS models

Thoughts about Snow button on AWD IS

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Old 01-05-15, 12:26 PM
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lexi90
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Originally Posted by Antnie2418
I am from the Danbury as well. Me personally I had snow mode on the 2 gen and I hated it so much that I never even tried it on 3rd gen. Matter of fact if I am in a tough spot I take off traction control and lay the hammer down!!!
Lay the hammer down
Old 01-05-15, 12:28 PM
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lexi90
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Originally Posted by akshunj
I'm south of Boston. I found my 350 AWD to be a tank in the snow. Very stable with little slippage. The traction control only steps in if I get in the gas too hard from a dead stop even with the factory Turanzas. I just switched out my tires and the slippage is a little better.
Yeah, they're tanks! What tires tires did you get?
Old 01-05-15, 12:29 PM
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lexi90
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Originally Posted by theoryguy3
I've used it two time last year never really seen it slip, however I felt the AWD system was competent enough on it's own. It came especially handy when I traveling on a some streets in NYC that hadn't been plowed in a a few days. I agree with Bloomberg when they call the IS my little luxury snow plow

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-0...ow-review.html
IS is a little luxury snow plow
Old 01-05-15, 01:32 PM
  #19  
GregCanada
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Snow mode just starts off the transmission in second gear.
Old 01-06-15, 07:20 AM
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tC2IS350
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I used snow mode for the first time today and it seems to work great. I'm still on the OEM all-seasons and I had zero issues. I'm very happy with the way it handled the crappy roads. It took me 2.5 hours to get to work today (usually takes 45 minutes). You can definitely use it over 30 mph if you feel the need. It switches to 50-50 front/rear.
Old 01-06-15, 09:58 AM
  #21  
lexi90
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Originally Posted by tC2IS350
I used snow mode for the first time today and it seems to work great. I'm still on the OEM all-seasons and I had zero issues. I'm very happy with the way it handled the crappy roads. It took me 2.5 hours to get to work today (usually takes 45 minutes). You can definitely use it over 30 mph if you feel the need. It switches to 50-50 front/rear.
Glad you made it ok to work. I didn't know that you can use it for over 30 mph. I thought I read something about that in the manual - not so sure now. Could've been in another car's manual! The IS is definitely a snow bear
Old 01-06-15, 12:34 PM
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bhvrdr
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Originally Posted by tC2IS350
I used snow mode for the first time today and it seems to work great. I'm still on the OEM all-seasons and I had zero issues. I'm very happy with the way it handled the crappy roads. It took me 2.5 hours to get to work today (usually takes 45 minutes). You can definitely use it over 30 mph if you feel the need. It switches to 50-50 front/rear.
It does not manipulate the drive ratio at all. Like another poster stated it does start you off in 2nd gear and there also appears to be reduced throttle sensitivity which helps.

Mike
Old 01-06-15, 02:54 PM
  #23  
AKammo
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IS350 F Sport AWD.
I live in the great white north of Alaska - I've experimented with all the driving modes. What a blast! I have Blizzak WS80’s all around but have driven quite a bit with the stock tires as well. Snow mode is definitely the safest but the least fun. Normal mode with Trac On is what I use most of the time. It’s a little more lively than snow mode but still provides tons of control on snow/ice covered roads. If you have the room to play, turn the traction control off.
Old 01-06-15, 04:42 PM
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Aeromotive
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Either my RWD isn't the same as your AWD, or the dashboard indicator is wrong/inaccurate, but snowmode doesn't start me off in 2nd gear... always first but with less throttle response.
Old 01-07-15, 10:02 PM
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computerwi
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Originally Posted by GregCanada
Snow mode just starts off the transmission in second gear.
That is what I thought but when you watch the mult-information display, it still starts off in 1st...
Old 01-08-15, 09:30 AM
  #26  
lexi90
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Originally Posted by Aeromotive
Either my RWD isn't the same as your AWD, or the dashboard indicator is wrong/inaccurate, but snowmode doesn't start me off in 2nd gear... always first but with less throttle response.
Originally Posted by computerwi
That is what I thought but when you watch the mult-information display, it still starts off in 1st...
Perhaps this applies to the CAD models only ???
Old 01-08-15, 11:47 AM
  #27  
NebulaIS
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Originally Posted by lexi90
Perhaps this applies to the CAD models only ???
i'll check this out on the way home as I've got a sh__tload of snow to drive home through. I don't find the gear display to be 100% accurate to begin, if you make a paddle shift when you're in auto mode you'll know what I'm talking about.
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