LS 460 RWD Handling on Snow
#76
The plow left over 2 ft at the end of my driveway. This, combined with the slight ramp/incline, required locking differentials to get in. Good times... though not nearly as good a time as Dennis is having In fact, it's not even close!
#78
Pole Position
I don't mean to dig up an old thread, but I'm in the heart of one of the worst winters I've ever seen in New England and my RWD Ls has performed admirably. Just today I found myself on the coast (where we just got 18 inches of snow) and I had to drive through some absolutely terrible conditions...the thing performed awesome. I do have snow tires on it, but still for a rear wheel drive car I was blown away...and I have been all winter. Now I didn't drive through 18 inches of snow, but there still was 3-4 inches on the ground and some serious snow drifts going on. The only time I've run into anything close to a problem was when I found myself going down a hill that was a total sheet of ice.
The traction control/stability assist is fantastic on this car.
The traction control/stability assist is fantastic on this car.
#79
I don't mean to dig up an old thread, but I'm in the heart of one of the worst winters I've ever seen in New England and my RWD Ls has performed admirably. Just today I found myself on the coast (where we just got 18 inches of snow) and I had to drive through some absolutely terrible conditions...the thing performed awesome. I do have snow tires on it, but still for a rear wheel drive car I was blown away...and I have been all winter. Now I didn't drive through 18 inches of snow, but there still was 3-4 inches on the ground and some serious snow drifts going on. The only time I've run into anything close to a problem was when I found myself going down a hill that was a total sheet of ice.
The traction control/stability assist is fantastic on this car.
The traction control/stability assist is fantastic on this car.
I remember close to a decade ago, when the 2006 GS430 (RWD-only car) was introduced, and it was the first Lexus to have VDIM (system integrating traction control, VSC, steering, brakes). A forum member (whose name eludes me now) posted a detailed review of the performance of his car in an unplowed parking lot, and I vaguely remember his observations being very consistent with this.
With the right grip (which you have with your snow tires), it seems that these systems actually help. The only other improvement I could see (besides, of course, AWD, which I don't care for on the LS460, mainly because it kills power) would be a LSD.
#80
Lexus Test Driver
We got 22 inches yesterday, and forecast is for 3-5 tomorrow. My LS is there on the right. I swear. Needless to say I haven't driven in it other than to move the car to the other side of the driveway. And of course I scratched my door with a shovel. And it's a deep one. Oh well I'll deal with it when the snow melts in August. hahaha
But the little I did drive it, it was good and I don't have snow tires on it.
Last edited by greg3852; 02-16-15 at 06:53 PM.
#81
Attachment 355121
We got 22 inches yesterday, and forecast is for 3-5 tomorrow. My LS is there on the right. I swear. Needless to say I haven't driven in it other than to move the car to the other side of the driveway. And of course I scratched my door with a shovel. And it's a deep one. Oh well I'll deal with it when the snow melts in August. hahaha
But the little I did drive it, it was good and I don't have snow tires on it.
We got 22 inches yesterday, and forecast is for 3-5 tomorrow. My LS is there on the right. I swear. Needless to say I haven't driven in it other than to move the car to the other side of the driveway. And of course I scratched my door with a shovel. And it's a deep one. Oh well I'll deal with it when the snow melts in August. hahaha
But the little I did drive it, it was good and I don't have snow tires on it.
And let's be optimistic and hope it happens by July 4th!
------
Trip down memory lane, for what it's worth... This is the review I was talking about. GS430 introduced what - by and large - is the same technology in the LS460 (putting aside the different motor).
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ml#post1232110
#82
Pole Position
This is awesome (the performance of the car, not the winter we're having)!
I remember close to a decade ago, when the 2006 GS430 (RWD-only car) was introduced, and it was the first Lexus to have VDIM (system integrating traction control, VSC, steering, brakes). A forum member (whose name eludes me now) posted a detailed review of the performance of his car in an unplowed parking lot, and I vaguely remember his observations being very consistent with this.
With the right grip (which you have with your snow tires), it seems that these systems actually help. The only other improvement I could see (besides, of course, AWD, which I don't care for on the LS460, mainly because it kills power) would be a LSD.
I remember close to a decade ago, when the 2006 GS430 (RWD-only car) was introduced, and it was the first Lexus to have VDIM (system integrating traction control, VSC, steering, brakes). A forum member (whose name eludes me now) posted a detailed review of the performance of his car in an unplowed parking lot, and I vaguely remember his observations being very consistent with this.
With the right grip (which you have with your snow tires), it seems that these systems actually help. The only other improvement I could see (besides, of course, AWD, which I don't care for on the LS460, mainly because it kills power) would be a LSD.
The AWD version of this car must be a beast in the snow, but I agree, I it's not something I want either.
#83
Pole Position
Attachment 355121
We got 22 inches yesterday, and forecast is for 3-5 tomorrow. My LS is there on the right. I swear. Needless to say I haven't driven in it other than to move the car to the other side of the driveway. And of course I scratched my door with a shovel. And it's a deep one. Oh well I'll deal with it when the snow melts in August. hahaha
But the little I did drive it, it was good and I don't have snow tires on it.
We got 22 inches yesterday, and forecast is for 3-5 tomorrow. My LS is there on the right. I swear. Needless to say I haven't driven in it other than to move the car to the other side of the driveway. And of course I scratched my door with a shovel. And it's a deep one. Oh well I'll deal with it when the snow melts in August. hahaha
But the little I did drive it, it was good and I don't have snow tires on it.
#84
Pole Position
Sorry to hear about the scratch.
And let's be optimistic and hope it happens by July 4th!
------
Trip down memory lane, for what it's worth... This is the review I was talking about. GS430 introduced what - by and large - is the same technology in the LS460 (putting aside the different motor).
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ml#post1232110
And let's be optimistic and hope it happens by July 4th!
------
Trip down memory lane, for what it's worth... This is the review I was talking about. GS430 introduced what - by and large - is the same technology in the LS460 (putting aside the different motor).
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ml#post1232110
#85
Lexus Test Driver
I watched a rear wheel drive car in front of me the other day try to accelerate from a stop and it's entire rear end just swung out to the right in the snow. I can't say enough how good this traction control works on these cars...I haven't had that happen to my car once yet.
The AWD version of this car must be a beast in the snow, but I agree, I it's not something I want either.
The AWD version of this car must be a beast in the snow, but I agree, I it's not something I want either.
#86
Lexus Test Driver
Seeing the posts that you guys have posted only confirms my original thoughts regarding this car with RWD..that with snow tires, and even those who don't have snow tires, having an experienced, aware driver behind the when can make all of the difference. Not to say that things cant happen to even the best driver, but lets be honest...theres not much of a replacement for experience and good sense.
Reading the feedback you guys are leaving makes me feel that much more confident in this vehicles ability to handle snow covered grounds. Us here in the NW Indiana/Chicagoland area haven't had much snow here this season, nothing like last year and nothing remotely close to you guys out there in the upper East costal region, but I had my doubts regarding the LS' ability to handle in the snow, even with snow tires (due to reading previous posts' from current/past LS RWD drivers). But even then I felt as though the car should still perform pretty solid. You guys have confirmed such!
And Greg, sorry to hear about the scratch...hopefully it can be remedied this Spring!
And just my few coins here, I hope you guys thaw out and melt away by May!
Reading the feedback you guys are leaving makes me feel that much more confident in this vehicles ability to handle snow covered grounds. Us here in the NW Indiana/Chicagoland area haven't had much snow here this season, nothing like last year and nothing remotely close to you guys out there in the upper East costal region, but I had my doubts regarding the LS' ability to handle in the snow, even with snow tires (due to reading previous posts' from current/past LS RWD drivers). But even then I felt as though the car should still perform pretty solid. You guys have confirmed such!
And Greg, sorry to hear about the scratch...hopefully it can be remedied this Spring!
And just my few coins here, I hope you guys thaw out and melt away by May!
#87
All these posts are making me wish I'd had more snow fun with my 460! The car was super clean and road salt-free when I got it, and so I was a bit "protective" and kept it off the road whenever this crap was around.
It's really great and comforting to read, though. I wonder if anyone has added a limited slip differential to this car... I can only imagine that this would take it a notch higher.
It's really great and comforting to read, though. I wonder if anyone has added a limited slip differential to this car... I can only imagine that this would take it a notch higher.
#88
Lexus Test Driver
All these posts are making me wish I'd had more snow fun with my 460! The car was super clean and road salt-free when I got it, and so I was a bit "protective" and kept it off the road whenever this crap was around.
It's really great and comforting to read, though. I wonder if anyone has added a limited slip differential to this car... I can only imagine that this would take it a notch higher.
It's really great and comforting to read, though. I wonder if anyone has added a limited slip differential to this car... I can only imagine that this would take it a notch higher.
#90
Pole Position
I guess I got lucky, I didn't get any snow yesterday and it's sunny today. There is still plenty of ice on the streets though...hit a nasty patch of it going 50 down a hill today...felt the car slip just a tiny bit and then the thing quickly stabilized. I swear if I was in my wife's Honda CRV I'd be dead right now. That thing has a mind of it's own when the AWD kicks in.