Hey guys,

im very unhappy about it, but it looks like I will be using my LS430 for the winter time, the problem is simple, I cant afford to insure two cars.

How many of you guys do the same?

How do you protect your car from the salt and harsh conditions?

Im wondering if keeping the car freshly waxed throughoiut the winter months will add some good protection from the salt and moisture?

Do you guys rubber coat the underside of your car?

Any advice on how to minimize the affects of winter on our cars?

How well does the LS do in snow and ice?

Thanks

 

Er on the side of care with good all season's or get snows. Hills from dead stop will kill ya, 5-6 inch of snow unplowed is a problem. I drove 150k often in snowbelt of the UP in winters and just was careful on 225/55/17's. Now I have 18's and will do more than above and I got snows.

Kitty litter for e-kit. Less than 6/32 is troublesome but be careful. All else the stab trac makes er real fun, traccont is nice.

 

I drive both my LS and SC all year around since we only get a few big snow storms each year. Typically I would drive my Saturn but I sold it recently so I'm stuck with the LS and SC which both have summer tires.

A good wax or sealant will be a great idea. You could try rubber undercoating as well since that might help with rust. Whenever it snowed a lot here I tried to wash the car off as soon as I got a chance. I drove my Saturn through a lot through a lot of the big snow storms over the years without any rust issues. Hopefully my LS won't have any issues in the snow if I get stuck driving it.

 

One thing u could do is park and suspend coverage on the LS for the winter....and buy a beater to insure for the winter months.

 

Get snow tires. In Toronto, you'll need them at least 6-7 times over the winter, because it's a powerful rear-wheel drive car. All seasons (otherwise known as no seasons) won't cut it - especially at temps less than 7 degrees C. - which it is most of the winter. If you can afford it - get new rims that are 1 inch less than your normal summer rims, and the tires are larger than your summer tires. ie if you normally run 225/55/17, get 215/65/16 winter tires and matching rims. (the narrower/higher tire cuts into the snow better than the wider/lower tire - which will tend to float more) The LS needs special rims because of the size of brakes though.

I have 2002, have driven it every winter, and you'd never know. It still looks perfect. The LS is a great car - and well protected, so I wouldn't be concerned about rust - it's well undercoated.

So from my perspective - you won't have an issue with driving it in the winter.

 

Get snow tires for better grip. Try to wash undercarriage as much as possible during the snow season.

 

The LS is full of plastic undercovers and the exposed parts are mostly aluminum, so rust won't be an issue. I intend to use mine here in Switzerland and I'll just do what I did last year with the 7series. Once every 2 weeks or so full body wash with unter-body spraying (all auto-washers here offer it) and be done with it.

 

I live in Toronto and have driven my LS during the last 3 winters. I considered buying another car for winter but didnt want to bother so I just put 4 snow tires mounted on 17 inch wheels, and the car is absolutely no problem - except in very deep snow.

You can try it with all seasons, and you'll be fine MOST of the time. With 4 snow you'll be fine ( almost ) ALL the time.

Anytime it snow and they salt the roads, and you notice a day later you'll have white salt stains on the the car, just drive to a coin spray wash and for $ 2, spray the lower part of the car with lots of water .... and your not going to have rust issue for a long time.

 

I've only had mine for one winter season in the DC area, but no issues what-so-ever. Just go through the touch less wash after it snows just like others have said...

 

Move to Arizona

 

Or, live in Arizona as I do!

 

Just take the insurance off the LS and park it.

 

i have to agree on this touch-less is worth the money, i wash mine a minimum of once a week in the winter, every couple of weeks when i get home from the wash i will heavily spray down any chrome trim and wheels, and wheel well areas with warm water in the garage, rinse with clean warm water, towel dry, and then spray on some top quality detailer mist & paint sealant. yes its over kill but Michigan winters are brutal and so is the brine and salt. I don't expect all this work to guarantee beating corrosion, but at least i gave it a decent shot.

HTH

 

I try not to as I have two awd vehicles, but I drove for 2 winters with blizzaks and they did well with the car. Only scary thing is when vsc on and slip detected, you can jam on gas but nothing happens. Feels like engine is off.

 

It wouldn't hurt to see an undercoating place. There's always 'deals' going on for that. Refer to www.redflagdeals.com for a decent price.

If you go to Krown, tell them not to drill the doors - unless you don't object. Otherwise it's half the price since they spray the underbody and hinges/etc. and NOT inside the doors.