What does the "SNOW" mode do?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, Michigan
It starts you off in second gear, and keeps u always at a higher gear then normally would be in, gives u less torque at the wheels so you wont spin them as easily as u normally would when it's on normal mode...
ShOwGS
ShOwGS
Pole Position
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 227
Likes: 1
From: nyc,ny
Hi guys,
What does Snow Mode a 99gs 400 do? NOT MUCH, simply too much friggin power to the rear wheels
I tried it last year made absoutly NO difference
What does Snow Mode a 99gs 400 do? NOT MUCH, simply too much friggin power to the rear wheels
I tried it last year made absoutly NO difference
Last edited by clivej; Feb 5, 2002 at 06:32 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,468
Likes: 11
From: Ontario, Canada
I find Snow Mode very useful in keeping me out of trouble.. I mainly use it for when I am turning at intersections then I flip it off when on the straight and narrow as long as the road isn't totally covered in snow..
Some of my fellow GS drivers don't think the GS is very good in the snow but as long as you run 16" snow tires I find the GS a great winter driver.. Just my 2 cents!
Some of my fellow GS drivers don't think the GS is very good in the snow but as long as you run 16" snow tires I find the GS a great winter driver.. Just my 2 cents!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 4
From: Arkansas
Most important driveline component is the nut loose behind the wheel. The Bridgestones don't help much. But, that's the compromise that you make when you elect the "summer tire option". All tires can't do all things, and the REs don't do snow!
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,468
Likes: 11
From: Ontario, Canada
Originally posted by mooretorque
Most important driveline component is the nut loose behind the wheel. The Bridgestones don't help much. But, that's the compromise that you make when you elect the "summer tire option". All tires can't do all things, and the REs don't do snow!
Most important driveline component is the nut loose behind the wheel. The Bridgestones don't help much. But, that's the compromise that you make when you elect the "summer tire option". All tires can't do all things, and the REs don't do snow!
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,395
Likes: 2
From: ATL
actuallly when it snowed a couple of months ago here, i could hear clicking in the engine when the car was trying to go up a hill and the wheels were spinning. i assume that it is retarding the engine somehow and not letting the power get to the wheels
Doc
Doc
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 4
From: Arkansas
DrRick, the clicking is TRAC/VSC, which both applies brakes as needed and/or retards timing. Snow mode merely invokes a different shift map in the trans: starts off in second, upshifts early, downshifts........reluctantly. Either that, or your mom is under the hood, trying to discourage you from wild and unseemly behavior by making those motherly sort of "tsk tsk" sounds that she used to do when you were being bad and irresponsible.
Drive4Fun, yes, we be sure it starts in 2nd, unless your owner's manual (and mine) are just flat bullsh*tting........:eek:
Drive4Fun, yes, we be sure it starts in 2nd, unless your owner's manual (and mine) are just flat bullsh*tting........:eek:
Banned
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
On my GS it makes the gas pedal numb. Almost like reducing the sensitivity of throttle. Pushing half way down is like pushing a quarter way down. I kind of like it because you get more throttle control. I use the snow mode in rush hour traffic whenever I can remember to turn it on.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,395
Likes: 2
From: ATL
[i]. Either that, or your mom is under the hood, trying to discourage you from wild and unseemly behavior by making those motherly sort of "tsk tsk" sounds that she used to do when you were being bad and irresponsible.
[/B]
[/B]
now that is too frickin funny cause she used to do exactly that and tell me that she expected more of me.
Doc
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,468
Likes: 11
From: Ontario, Canada
Originally posted by ceoart
Wonder if Snow Mode would help if I get stuck in the Sand on the beach this winter in South Florida. Maybe they should have a Sand Mode in my part of the Country.
Wonder if Snow Mode would help if I get stuck in the Sand on the beach this winter in South Florida. Maybe they should have a Sand Mode in my part of the Country.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Mooretorque:
<<"Drive4Fun, yes, we be sure it starts in 2nd, unless your owner's manual (and mine) are just flat bullsh*tting........">>
Where in your owner's manual is this stated? What is stated?
In my manual, "ECT Snow" is mentioned on pages 181 & 188. But there is no mention of second-gear start.
Also, I compared RPM vs MPH in the start-up gear for both normal and snow modes. In a limited study, they appear to be the same; ergo first gear starts in both modes. I'll check this more thoroughly today.
No doubt that snow mode feels like second-gear start.
<<"Drive4Fun, yes, we be sure it starts in 2nd, unless your owner's manual (and mine) are just flat bullsh*tting........">>
Where in your owner's manual is this stated? What is stated?
In my manual, "ECT Snow" is mentioned on pages 181 & 188. But there is no mention of second-gear start.
Also, I compared RPM vs MPH in the start-up gear for both normal and snow modes. In a limited study, they appear to be the same; ergo first gear starts in both modes. I'll check this more thoroughly today.
No doubt that snow mode feels like second-gear start.