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Maybe an AWD thing? I never actually have tried the snow mode because I'm down here in SoCal. I have a RWD and it is 8spd.
Must be nice. Up here, having a RWD 8-speed with the 6-speed AWD is available would be pretty daft. Case and point, I'm looking at at least 10cm of snow right now...
Same here. I tried the SNOW mode and can attest it starts in 1st gear, not 2nd gear as I was told.
By default, IS350 AWD has a 70/30 rear:front torque split. Is it possible the SNOW mode locks it in 50/50?
Regarding throttle response, I cannot tell its difference from Eco or Normal mode.
Maybe it changes the way it routes power if a wheel starts to spin? Or maybe it helps you rock the car when stuck, like you can in an MT car? Just guessing here...
"Lexus has opted to add a SNOW mode to the AWD cars in addition to the other 3 modes. This works well in use and is as simple as locking out first gear to allow the car start in second gear. This is a Toyota trait that works well and we are glad to see it continuing in the newest Lexus cars. It would be nice to see this mode on all the IS cars since they might all see snow and it is simple to implement on any car."
"Lexus has opted to add a SNOW mode to the AWD cars in addition to the other 3 modes. This works well in use and is as simple as locking out first gear to allow the car start in second gear. This is a Toyota trait that works well and we are glad to see it continuing in the newest Lexus cars. It would be nice to see this mode on all the IS cars since they might all see snow and it is simple to implement on any car."
That article states that RWD models don't have a SNOW mode, which clearly is not correct. There are other inaccuracies in the article as well.