TTBomB

iTrader: (2)

I recently installed a new set of Michelin X-Ice3s (18") on my LS. Already had 2 storms here and they have been great. Very happy with them so far.
Also, seem to do well of dry roads.
I previously had Blizzak LM-60s and I feel these may be a bit better. But 1 thing for sure is that the Michelin's are MUCH quieter than the Blizzaks,
The Blizzaks were Super loud!
We'll see how the Michelin wear as time goes on.

warminwisc

U R gonna be very happy on the wear of the X Ice 3's.

warminwisc

I left my house for 4 days skiing in and around Lake Superior, Ripley Bohemia, prolly logged 800 mostly snow ice covered miles. The snow belt has 160 inches of snow got 2 feet just before I got there, 2 feet when I was there. In Green Bay getting started, driver was tailgaiting me in slick fwy roads, I tapped my brakes, I must of startled him he skids t bones the concrete median in my rear view mirror, as I looked up a Equinox did the same in front of me and I drove over its crash debris white knuckling it hoping my tires where not cut. I was in slippery roads for 6 hours each way driving up around/along lake superior snow belt to the tip of the Kewanau Peninsula in the middle of the lake, the tomb of the Edmund Fitzgerald with greasy wind buffed white, black ice 2 lane roads drivers tandem logging trucks comin at me. It was under 15 degrees the whole trip, salt is marginally effective wind blows it off the ice shield anyway. The monster plows are scraping roads constantly to give ya any kind of edge for the students at Michigan Tech and skiers snowmobilers. I was by myself to meet my buddies at the hill.

I have faith in my LS with 4 snows but really watch the locals coming at ya if they are driving slow so should U. Stopped at Subway lady said "I don't even drive to Houghton in winter, too many crazy's with no insurance who do not know how to drive even up here". Moral of story be safe my brothers, its not just about U in severe weather its also the other guys coming at ya, cars are lethal weapons and some folks these days are clueless on the outcomes of their actions like loosing control into oncoming traffic. Force equals mass times velocity driving even 40 mph with someone hitting ya at 50 glad we got all these air bags.

I can get 3 pair of skis in my cubby, some fattys for deep snow, midfats and carvers for the groomed. I skied in snow mid thigh on my Armada JJ's, I think it would be hilarious to see an LS with ski racks!!!!

Funny story I was in the middle of no where at a hotel in Eagle Harbor on Lake Superior my TPMS lite comes on, I am a 50 miles blizzard tow back to Houghton if indeed I did cut my tires I am thinkin. I scrambled to find my gauge finally found it remembering it goes off at what 23 lbs? Then I have my phone charger going and I try to turn the key in this blizzard to again drive along the hellish coastal windy road to the hill and no spark, I am thinking "damn 14 year old car finally got me" as I have never been stranded by my LS's in 275k miles. But yippee my tires read 30, and I had the smart key in the hotel and my serious fear was lessened.

There must be a range the car will not start out of reach of smart key, TPMS sensors where faulty reading or they got low when it was 10 below? Going up next weekend with a buddy though.

warminwisc

You are skiing on the eroded bluffs of Lake Superior views are spectacular water ice all sides. This place does not groom, does not make snow check it out.

Abernoots

My LS was kind of a PITA to park and get out of a spot in the NYC streets.I spent about half an hour digging myself a spot that wouldn't get me too stuck. On the road however, with snow mode on, drove beautifully!

Scootymad

What's snow?

Johnhav430

Is that the same Edmund Fitzgerald as the Gordon Lightfoot tune? 6 yrs ago when my wife got a new car and it came with XM radio free, I thought XM32 The Bridge was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Funny how that shows one's age--just Dec. in our Toronto office, two 1990's born colleagues were going back and forth, and the zinger was when this girl said to a guy, "So says the man who grew up listening to the Bridge." dang I ran out to the rental car and changed the channel in case I ended up driving to lunch...

warminwisc

Ya Edmund Fitzgerald a cold icey tomb. Ya a shovel is nice to tuck in the trunk in the winter to dig out. Snow? its the waist deep stuff you blast through on a powder day and the stuff the impossible to find winter mats for and melts onto your carpet.
The Bridge know it well! Coffehouse too!

Johnhav430

hahahaha my wife always listens to the Coffee House....I never realized I guess that Edmund Fitzgerald was a real ship....hmmmm that is an excellent suggestion, maybe I should keep a shovel in my trunk...our cars are not invincible, and seriously, a lot of folks nowadays take getting stuck for granted as many cars have AWD and at least in mild situations they can get out easily. I got stuck in my Nissan at a vet's office with my dog. The owner was really irate because I would have been blocking the plow from clearing the parking lot, where I was stuck.

"Those tires sure look good in the summer, but they ain't worth a **** in the winter!" He pointed at my 18x8 rims shod with 235/40-18's on my Maxima....they were A/S but lots of good they did this time....

lexslexus

Just saw a clip on the local news of an '04-'06 LS430 stuck in the snow. Atlanta drivers and snow do not mix lol.

biacs

Does great in snow very planted. I just drove 300 miles in driving snow, high winds and temps well below zero. Wisconsin to IL. But certainly check your tread depth with a gauge. I think less than 7/32" time to think about replacing them.

Cost of refreshing tires that you will need either way vs cost of a wreck or tow etc. With age comes wisdom I guess.

2KHarrier

mncz

Yes, the Edmund Fitzgerald was real. Sad story, something like 28 or 32 sailors. There's a huge number of shipwrecks in Lake Superior, interesting history if you are curious, plus a few museums.

Funny thing, I read this before going to work today. On the way in to Minneapolis, on I-394, a sub-set of I-94 you are all familiar with, I had my first accident ever. Traffic suddenly stopped, roads were very slick as it was still only about 7 degrees, and slid right into the back of a Mazda 3. Hard to say damage on either vehicle, given all the grime from road salt. We'll see.

For you guys, wondering if my WinterForce tires, at about 10 years old, although low on mileage, might be an issue. Yes, I know they are a budget tire, but they've been great in snow. Also, visibility at night is just getting terrible in this 15 year old LS430, which I love, but seems like it's letting me down this year.

warminwisc

I think the winterforce are beefy snows but don't have the softer tread on top for ice which eventually wears down and some say replace at 1/2 tread. 10 years if ya drive 3 k miles a year thats 30k they are done.

warminwisc

I got a 05 Camry with 224k miles an 05 to keep my LS in garage more in winter, to drive to work. Its got 6-7 32's on Premiers and of course FWD. Amazing how good the LS is with x ice 3's or I imagine Blizzacks or other tires even compared to FWD. Ya if any of you midwest folks ski PM me, 60 y/o but can still rip.

I got the Camry from a German guy at the pub I check into some time for latest craft beers, guy was religious about oil changes tranny changes U name it. Impressive how good maintenance will keep a 224k 4 cylinder shifting perfect driving perfect and I used a 1/4 of quart in 1500 miles, amazing another great toyota product when cared for. He was retired so car was kept garaged alot.