I live in Illinois, and my 2014 IS350 F Sport has been absolutely terrible in the snow we just got. I went to work yesterday and almost spun it a couple of times. I also got stuck in a parking lot last night. I am just wondering, is it the car that's terrible, or is it the tires? I have the original all-seasons on the stock rims as my winter tires, so they are 7-8 years old now. I keep meaning to get real snow tires for it, but other things always get bought instead, like my recent RR-Racing tune. With the lower-power IS models being bought by retirees and such, I don't see this car being so terrible, so I'm leaning more toward the tires being crap. Anyone want to weigh in? Anyone else have issues in the winter? I had a Mustang GT for 7 years and a Miata for 3-4 years and rarely, if ever, got stuck in either of them. I want to solve this so I can feel more confident in my car when the snow starts falling.

 

It's the tires.

 

Those Bridgestones that come with these cars are horrible tires honestly, I'd definitely suggest a full blown winter tire for where you're at.

 

Thank you, guys. I know they are getting old, so they definitely have to be replaced, but I didn't know if anyone else had problems in snow like I have had the past couple of days. The Miata had winter tires, and it never got stuck. I will be getting some put on during the summer, I think.

 

I got my 16' from Lexus a year ago in CO and they put those Bridgestones that come with them and I had the car slide out on me a couple of times in a weird way during a few snow storms. Thankfully I had Blizzaks on my 02' Maxima daily, so drove that instead to work during snow days and man that thing was a tank in the snow without a doubt. If I had remained in CO I would have definitely gotten some snows for the IS and then just a good set of summer tires to switch back and forth.

 

being from Colorado and a longtime lexus owner, my sc's and gs400/430's had perfectly good all-season tires but were horrid in the snow. the only solution i found that got me through winters was studded snow tires but then you had the road noise to deal with on the days that snow wasn't on the ground (i was committed to having the car i wanted, not necessarily the one that made the most sense). I can see the IS350 being just as bad as 1st gear is even more 'torquey'. just wants to spin! An AWD or a front wheel drive are the only real solution.

 

I looked this morning at the tires, and they are definitely the Bridgestones. I will be taking care of that this summer once I put the good rims and tires back on. I appreciate the responses. I also am dedicated to having a car that I want, but obviously is causing me issues, especially being lowered and with the tune. I wish I could get studded tires, but I think they are illegal in Illinois for on-road use.