LS430Lexus

Just curious, I was driving through unplowed snow early this morning and used the low gear to get some needed traction at an intersection. I wondered if anyone uses the transmission gearing to get additional traction. If so, the best way to do it. BTW, I have snow tires and use the "snow" setting.

empringham

i have had zero problems just using the "snow" feature. Has helped me out a lot over the winters.

randal

Rather than trying to pick a gear, I also just use the 'snow' mode and let the engine/tranny smarts figure it out. Never a problem with snow tires. You are doing the best just leaving it in drive with snow mode.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

During our ice storm last year I used snow mode for first time. It worked well. Even with just all season Michelins.

Tom57

Thousands of miles in snow ... the "Snow" button modulates the transmission to avoid tire spin. It works without changing gears manually. Provides computer-assisted traction (analogous to ABS on brakes when braking). When you get onto a clear street, remove the "Snow" option since it reduces the normal torque of the transmission and consequently reduces acceleration.

DonMolina

L is just 1st gear and not letting the tranny go to 2nd.

The car starts in 1st anyway if you're at a dead stop or at a very low, creeping speed, so you're not doing anything other than keeping it in 1st for longer than someone else. And since traction is all about the first moments there is no real need to do so.

zapola6

Like Tom57, Colorado 2001 LS430, lots of snow miles - I use the snow option... The car has proven that it's smarter than I am about driving conditions on more than one occasion.

Tom57

Manually down-shifting could defeat the purpose of the "Snow" mode. Snow mode electronically shifts the transmission into a higher gear, so that from a stop, the higher gear is engaged (rather than 1st gear) to prevent the normal 1st gear torque that would spin the tires with less traction. Of course once you are moving, you could manually downshift to use the transmission as brake horsepower, but with ABS brakes, in most cases you'd be better off using them.

KING

iTrader: (1)

Always used snow mode during snow. It puts the gear in a higher level. Thus not accelerating as fast and with not as much torque ( so your wheels don't slip in the snow.)

Although I really struggled with mine, I don't have snow tires on, so I will slip even if I were in 12th gear

Not much snow in my area though.


But sometimes, in some situations you actually want the lowest gear with traction off. Got stuck couple of times, put the TRAC off and in power mode, with someone nudging the car the big girl was free.

LS430Lexus

I agree with everything that has been said. If the ground has white on it, I use the snow mode.

That said, almost was stuck this morning. With 15 inches of new snow and unplowed roads, the transition form the driveway to the road was difficult. I began to get stuck in snow mode at the bottom of the drive. After a few attempts with the wheels spinning, shifted into low and slowly eased out with no problem. Once in the center of the street shifted back into drive with snow mode and easily got out of the neighborhood to the plowed main roads.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

i usually dont use snow mode, and sometimes when i get stuck i have to turn off TRAC. then i usually get out of the situation.

warminwisc

Snow mode is fine biggest nemisis is getting high centered, not much room underneath.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

What's snow and rust with carpets filthy from your boots? What is it?

Sincerely,
The Southerner's

ncsucarjoc

I'm not sure... But I think I'm good without subjecting my LS to it ;-)

Tom57

Drinking water is abundant and perhaps the cleanest and best tasting in the world, comes from a lake, not a river, no fights about shortages or diversions, nor worries about droughts, etc. We love our rain and snow since it replenishes our great lakes for drinking water and provides great outdoor recreation in all seasons.

Sincerely,

The Northerners