Performance in deep snow
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: BC
I cannot explain to you more then I did. I had a chance to compare 2 different cars in the same condition and gave you the facts from my experience. The question was about specific conditions...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: BC
I had the seat pushed back until my legs fit, and had the steering wheel telescope all the way forward, but in order for me to grab the steering with my arms bent a little I had to get the seat's back up to a 90 degree angle. Unless I always sit with my back pushed against the seat (which I don't most of the time), I would be crouching forward driving like a 90 year-old.
executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
I had the seat pushed back until my legs fit, and had the steering wheel telescope all the way forward, but in order for me to grab the steering with my arms bent a little I had to get the seat's back up to a 90 degree angle. Unless I always sit with my back pushed against the seat (which I don't most of the time), I would be crouching forward driving like a 90 year-old.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: BC
The GS fits me fine, and I'm looking forward to test-driving both the GS and the GX very soon. When I was at the dealer looking at the RX back in May, the GX wasn't in the showroom. The dealer even said their manager had received an order from Lexus Canada telling them not to let people test-drive the GX as there might be a brand new model coming in very soon. Well, when I was driving by the showroom a few days ago, and a GX was there!! I don't know what's going on, but if I can get my hands on one, and if it fits me and my family, then I'll certainly put that on my purchase list.
executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
The GS fits me fine, and I'm looking forward to test-driving both the GS and the GX very soon. When I was at the dealer looking at the RX back in May, the GX wasn't in the showroom. The dealer even said their manager had received an order from Lexus Canada telling them not to let people test-drive the GX as there might be a brand new model coming in very soon. Well, when I was driving by the showroom a few days ago, and a GX was there!! I don't know what's going on, but if I can get my hands on one, and if it fits me and my family, then I'll certainly put that on my purchase list.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,804
Likes: 140
From: MA
Driver
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Central Europe
Exactly my thoughts! Plus there are huge differences between the qualities of different makes of winter tires.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 1
From: Richmond
... I got around in Richmond, Vancouver and Burnaby just fine last winter...mine's lowered GS400 with Blizzarks.... never went West Van though...
Richmond have a lot of unplowed streets, probably 2 ft ? deep, I plowed through... sometimes I'd almost get stuck since people wouldn't yield to others while they're driving a SUV and force me literally off the road to avoid them then I have to try to get out while other cars are behind me didn't know I'm RWD, but I got out without a push.
Richmond have a lot of unplowed streets, probably 2 ft ? deep, I plowed through... sometimes I'd almost get stuck since people wouldn't yield to others while they're driving a SUV and force me literally off the road to avoid them then I have to try to get out while other cars are behind me didn't know I'm RWD, but I got out without a push.
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: BC
"The reasons why SUV rollover accidents happen so often are simple High School Physics.
With a high center-of-gravity and a comparatively narrow track, such vehicles are
relatively unstable as a natural fact. Unless either the track is greatly widened or
the center-of-gravity lowered, the situation cannot be improved."
....
Acceleration due to gravity in this case is a function of vehicle speed, mass AND center of gravity. You need to have way more better traction on your SUV to over compensate steepness of the hill, which is the contributing factor for such acceleration.
Oh, yeah , go and visit West Van. When you see this you wouldnt want to drive in winter at all there...
)
Last edited by vladbph; Jul 11, 2009 at 10:08 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,804
Likes: 140
From: MA
In what conditions?
"The reasons why SUV rollover accidents happen so often are simple High School Physics.
With a high center-of-gravity and a comparatively narrow track, such vehicles are
relatively unstable as a natural fact. Unless either the track is greatly widened or
the center-of-gravity lowered, the situation cannot be improved."
....
Acceleration due to gravity in this case is a function of vehicle speed, mass AND center of gravity. You need to have way more better traction on your SUV to over compensate steepness of the hill, which is the contributing factor for such acceleration.
Oh, yeah , go and visit West Van. When you see this you wouldnt want to drive in winter at all there...)
"The reasons why SUV rollover accidents happen so often are simple High School Physics.
With a high center-of-gravity and a comparatively narrow track, such vehicles are
relatively unstable as a natural fact. Unless either the track is greatly widened or
the center-of-gravity lowered, the situation cannot be improved."
....
Acceleration due to gravity in this case is a function of vehicle speed, mass AND center of gravity. You need to have way more better traction on your SUV to over compensate steepness of the hill, which is the contributing factor for such acceleration.
Oh, yeah , go and visit West Van. When you see this you wouldnt want to drive in winter at all there...
)The last time I check, the GX470 have a wider track than the GS350.
The heavier GX470 will have a heavier load on the tires creating more traction in the snow. Unless you are climbing a hill more than 45 degrees, there will be more vertical load vector than the Horizontal vector.
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: BC
What does roll over risk have to do with traction on a hill? When you are going 5 MPH, there is no roll over risk.
The last time I check, the GX470 have a wider track than the GS350.
The heavier GX470 will have a heavier load on the tires creating more traction in the snow. Unless you are climbing a hill more than 45 degrees, there will be more vertical load vector than the Horizontal vector.
The last time I check, the GX470 have a wider track than the GS350.
The heavier GX470 will have a heavier load on the tires creating more traction in the snow. Unless you are climbing a hill more than 45 degrees, there will be more vertical load vector than the Horizontal vector.
BTW, GX wheel base is shorter 2.5 inches , weight is more ~1000lb, height is 18inches higher. Width of the car 2 inches wider, but it doesnt mean that applies to wheels. Even if it does, 18 inches diff in height....?....
Last edited by vladbph; Jul 14, 2009 at 10:15 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,804
Likes: 140
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.
Like I have already said, stopping and sliding after a stop has to do more with winter tires than any of those factors that you mention. Just because it happen to you in one senerio, that doesnt mean its the general case.
I think you can ask pretty much any GS AWD owners here who have driven the GX or the 4runner and they will tell you that the GX is much better in the snow.
Last edited by The G Man; Jul 15, 2009 at 10:58 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: BC
Thanks for the great advice folks, I really appreciate it. I now have second thoughts about the GS; it sounds like the designers didn't do enough testing before selling the vehicle to the public. The dash rattles and the brake squeaks seem to be design flaws, and they're not isolated cases meaning quite a few people are getting those problems. I might look into the 2010 Merc E Class instead, as it is more high tech and maybe they've improved their usual electrical glitches. I'm still looking, but I think I'm leaning more towards a GX for Lexus and the Merc E Class for an AWD sedan.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: CA
Say, Lexus Lovers....Just bought a 2006 GS300 with AWD and, in preparation for the weather this coming Winter here in the foothills of California where I live, I want to learn
about my AWD...how it works, when it will cut in, driving tips, etc. Lexus couldn't help
me - no AWD section in my Owner's manual or available from Lexus. Can anyone help
me find info on how my AWD works and how best to make use of it? Thanks....femmert
about my AWD...how it works, when it will cut in, driving tips, etc. Lexus couldn't help
me - no AWD section in my Owner's manual or available from Lexus. Can anyone help
me find info on how my AWD works and how best to make use of it? Thanks....femmert