RHODY401

I'm considering a 400h and curious if anyone here has used them in an environment with snow. I'm wondering how the electric drive handles snow compared to the 330. My 330 is great in the snow.

Has anyone tried their 400h in the snow?

Mike

JZA80MHU38

That was my only concern before I ordered (and eventually picked up) the RX400h. Then I told myself I should get a set of snow tires like I do to my other two vehicles. My experience reminds me that a FWD or RWD car with snow tires will handle better than an AWD car with all season tires in snow.

Now the new concern is, should I get another set of rims for the snow tires, or just get the same size of tires using the stock rims... life is full of questions...

XZLR8

Hadn't really thought of this, but I'm not sure why it would be dramatically different, I guess.

We had the chance to testdrive a 400h last weekend and were impressed. My wife (the main driver of our 330) has been eyeing a 530xiT as a replacement in January/February, but now is also considering the 400h. I surely wouldn't want to have to get snow tires though...

JZA80MHU38

Just curious, what's wrong with snow tires?

Incendiary

The only things I can think of:

1. You're too poor to afford them.
2. You live where very little to no snow falls each year.

XZLR8

Nothing's wrong with them. I change to snow tires on my 745 every year and wouldn't have it any other way. (Coincidentally, I put RF snow tires on my SC and hated them. The ride was absolutely deplorable. But that's another story.)

My comment regarding the RX was simply that, for no more snow than we typically get where I live, I would hope not to need to mess with the added hassle and expense of an additional set of tires and rims for an AWD SUV. For some RWD cars with OEM performance tread, you don't have any other option. For an AWD SUV with OEM all-seasons, I would think in most moderate winter climates, a person would be okay. Of course, nothing would be "wrong" with snow tires though.

spwolf

Due to VDIM, RX400h could be even better than RX330. Problem with "Normal" tires is that they lose their traction properties at around 50-55F, so from then, you are riding on piece of hard plastic and colder it is, your stopping times and traction will go be worse than supposed to having winter tires.

We had reports of GS430 doing great in ice/snow, so RX400h should be much better...

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

What's snow tires? Just kidding I give you guys credit. I'd probably die attempting to drive in the snow. I've never driven on ice or snow ever. I wouldn't know what to do

JZA80MHU38

One thing that worries me a little is that there's no option for switching off VDIM or no differential-lock switch. If the car got stuck in the snow pile then just wonder how the VDIM help to redistribute power to each wheel and help pull the car out.

Hope the rear motor can generate enough torque to get through the snow in adverse weather. Man, I am so pessimistic.

spwolf

RX itself is not an real truck. Even RX330 doesnt have real differential lock.

If you drive in such conditions where you might encounter "snow pile", then invest in some nice Winter tires. Without proper tires, even trucks like GX wont make it to far on fresh, deep snow.

Otherwise, you should be more than fine with 400h.

JZA80MHU38

That's what I hope. Columbus is not doing the best job when talking about snow removal, but if I can stay mobile with a lowered Supra with a set of snow tires for two winters, the RX400h should be too with a set of snow tire

Problem is, the only snow tire avail in that size (235/55-18) is Bridgestone WS50. I have that on another car but I am not completely happy with it. Maybe I am just spoiled with the LM 02 on the Supra.