Performance in deep snow
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
I often hear car salesman talk about center of gravity when they are trying to sell a AWD sedan. Just how fast would you need to be going in the snow for the center of gravity to make a difference. Call me carzy, but even in a SUV like the GX, I usually take it easy in the snow.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: BC
^ LOL, I don't plan on doing any rally racing in deep snow!!
I'll have time later next week, so I'll head to my local dealer to try the cars out. The problem with the GX is that the car might be a little difficult to get in, since the ride height is higher than the GS. I have to take a person that has an arthritic knee, so walking might be a problem for her, let alone getting into a truck. If she can't get into and out of the GX without problems, then I'm going to get the GS for sure.
I'll have time later next week, so I'll head to my local dealer to try the cars out. The problem with the GX is that the car might be a little difficult to get in, since the ride height is higher than the GS. I have to take a person that has an arthritic knee, so walking might be a problem for her, let alone getting into a truck. If she can't get into and out of the GX without problems, then I'm going to get the GS for sure.
executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
No doubt GX is better in truly deep snow than GS. I thought the question is nonetheless, whether GS AWD can handle normal wintery conditions including quite heavy snowfall. As long as the ground clearance is sufficient, new powder snow should not make driving too bad at all. If there is deepish wet snow the rather wide tires of GS make it s bit more difficult to drive, but an AWD GS should still do ok.
Unless, if akfd lives along a private road, which is not ploughed or even driven through by others, the GS AWD should do the job. Even a RWD car is ok most of the time in winter as log as it is fitted with excellent winter tires. In Northern Europe Mercedes C and E class are probably the most common taxis (there are quite a many Volvos as well). The Mercedes are 99% as RWD (diesel) versions. The majority of them are equipped with non-studded winter tires for the winter months.
Btw, are studded tires legal in BC? For the icy roads they would provide a far superior grip. On snow, however, non-studded tires are very comparable.
Unless, if akfd lives along a private road, which is not ploughed or even driven through by others, the GS AWD should do the job. Even a RWD car is ok most of the time in winter as log as it is fitted with excellent winter tires. In Northern Europe Mercedes C and E class are probably the most common taxis (there are quite a many Volvos as well). The Mercedes are 99% as RWD (diesel) versions. The majority of them are equipped with non-studded winter tires for the winter months.
Btw, are studded tires legal in BC? For the icy roads they would provide a far superior grip. On snow, however, non-studded tires are very comparable.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
^ LOL, I don't plan on doing any rally racing in deep snow!!
I'll have time later next week, so I'll head to my local dealer to try the cars out. The problem with the GX is that the car might be a little difficult to get in, since the ride height is higher than the GS. I have to take a person that has an arthritic knee, so walking might be a problem for her, let alone getting into a truck. If she can't get into and out of the GX without problems, then I'm going to get the GS for sure.
I'll have time later next week, so I'll head to my local dealer to try the cars out. The problem with the GX is that the car might be a little difficult to get in, since the ride height is higher than the GS. I have to take a person that has an arthritic knee, so walking might be a problem for her, let alone getting into a truck. If she can't get into and out of the GX without problems, then I'm going to get the GS for sure.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: BC
I have knee problems from time to time, I can tell you that when my knees are acting up, it is just as hard to get into the GX as it is the GS. The GS is much lower and I have to bent my knees to get in. Perhaps you should consider a RX350, its the perfect height, but then its your car, I would not buy a car for somone's else sake.
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: BC
I often hear car salesman talk about center of gravity when they are trying to sell a AWD sedan. Just how fast would you need to be going in the snow for the center of gravity to make a difference. Call me carzy, but even in a SUV like the GX, I usually take it easy in the snow.
I'm the salesman. First, I live where he lives, second, I had a chance to comapre..again - last winter in BC?.. third... yes, it is center of gravity + repair bill for my SUV...Question is not how fast you need to go, but how steep the hill is...
Last edited by vladbph; Jul 8, 2009 at 08:02 PM.
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executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
I've tried the new RX a while back, but unfortunately there wasn't enough legroom for me to sit comfortably. I'm 6'1" and my knees are hitting the front, but if I move the chair too far back to make my legs fit, my arms can't reach the steering wheel. The GS fits me better, and I like it better than a SUV too, but I just don't want to get stuck in the snow for 3-4 hours.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: BC
i've confirmed with a 2010 RX CL member here, the new RX has the telescoping steering wheel. so you can move the chair back for more leg/knee room comfort, and adjust the steering wheel towards you so that you can reach the steering wheel. there is an electronic adjustment **** beside the steering wheel column for you to do this. so the new RX should be considered as an alternative option (unless of course you don't like it for personal reasons which is a totally different matter)
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
What is the difference between the repair bill on a SUV and a AWD sedan? and how does center of gravity affects traction on a steep hill when going slow?
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: BC
Traction reduces significantly depending on the steepness of the hill, doesnt matter you going down or stand still + weigth of the car of course.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
Apperently you didnt read one of my previos posts. I was saying last winter I hit the curb going uphill when the car stopped in front of me my SUV slid back and sideways...
Traction reduces significantly depending on the steepness of the hill, doesnt matter you going down or stand still + weigth of the car of course.
Traction reduces significantly depending on the steepness of the hill, doesnt matter you going down or stand still + weigth of the car of course.
executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
what vladbph may have neglected to tell you is that the snow packed roads up here often turn into sheets of ice. literally. even good snow tires won't help much if the hill is icy.
Last edited by Stormforge; Jul 9, 2009 at 09:53 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
In the Winter, we have a lot of icy roads here too in New England. Beside studed tires or chains, which is illegal in many cities, snow tires are the your best defense vs icy road.