What does snow mode actually effect on the drivetrain? Looks like we will be getting another foot and leaving early for Granite peak. I did check old posts but neither the owners manual or old posts are real explecite. Do I sense a lower gear when I push the button?

 

Actually, snow mode keeps you in a higher gear. My '01 LS starts off in 2nd gear when in snow mode. The higher gear reduces the torque to the rear wheels to reduce wheel spin. Some think the engine computer reduces available power and makes the gas pedal stiffer but there's no consensus here.

 

exactly. The VSC/TRAC is the one that controls the throttle and power to the wheels to prevent slipping. If your rear wheels are on ice and both can not get traction, then gunning the gas with the TRAC on will actually not do anything. You won't even feel the wheel spinning because it detects slipping and the controls will always reduce the power to try to get traction... which on ice is ZERO. I tried this on a probably 20 degree incline on iced over snow and the car actually started to slide backwards even though my foot was on the gas with no wheel spin.

 

I have winter tires on mine and find that the combination of these and the snow mode works really well in the WI weather.

 

The LS handles great on the snow for a RWD car. Of course on my side of the world, we get more ice than snow, and that's a bit of a problem for any car.

 

Thanks for the replys. Just got back from taking the kid skiing, 10 inches of 35 mph plus wind driven snow and counting. Ya gotta love passing the plows!Snow mode, primacies and 4k lbs steady as she goes. I need a cold beverage.