jracerlmn

So i went up to big bear and drove in the snow...

the low end torque in the snow on the 400h really sucks. I was coming on this big bump and i couldn't ease over it. I drove up right against it and when i pressed the gas, the electric motor just hummed really loud. I had to back up and get some moving speed to bust over the bump.

my friend in his 4wd 330 just crawled over it in the way i wanted to....GRRRRRRRRRR

the good news is the handling driving up and down the mountain is very very good.

JZA80MHU38

It's bad on ice, but which car doesn't? But I took the 400h to Toronto, ON during late November, went through the first big snow storm, and I have to say the 400h handles pretty well in snow even with the stock Michelin all-season tires. We have couple snow storms in Ohio in December also and we have no problem with the 400h.

What kind of shoes does your friend's 330 has? 17 or 18"? The tires equipped with the 17" tires may have better snow traction than the 18s. Of course the car's performance in snow has a lot to do with the driver/owner as well, like maintaining proper tire pressure, knowing the car's dynamic and capability, etc.

cantsleepnk

When the 400h came out I was at the Lexus dealeship for service and I asked the salesman the same question. What happens when you're driving in snow? Will the rear electric motor be on all the time? Will it run out of juice? Of course his answer was the Lexus tested the 400H in snow and it should work fine. Somehow I'm still skeptical and jracerlmn remarks enforces my view. I wouldn't want to be in a 400h in a snow storm when you need constant drive from all 4 wheels . I'd rather take an AWD330 instead.

jracerlmn

it just sucks low-range in the snow...if you're driving in the snow and you're already moving at 15-20mph it's fine.

my friend actually has 18" with summer tires...which REALLY irked me....

he slipped a little bit, but at least his wheels spun and then he clawed over. my wheels didn't even MOVE when i was against that bump.

HarrierAWD

Although the RX400h is "AWD," the rear wheels only kick in if the vehicle detects slippery condition or full throttle launch. Kinda lame but that's how it goes. The RX300 and RX330 run all 4 wheels all the time.

The RX400h's smooth, flat, low rolling resistance tires do not help, either.

jrudley

Well, it is part time AWD to help out with the MPG. I live in PA and our first snow storm; we had over 7 inches on the ground. I had to tow my jet ski to my garage behind my house. I was electric half way until I went uphill and the engine kicked in. I think it performs very well in the snow, but it isn't meant to drive in the snow all the time. Get a Touareg if you are concerned about driving in snow. Just don't complain about the MPG

JZA80MHU38

Agree with jrudley. No problem here in Ohio and up north in Toronto.

Maybe it's the driver's problem...

spwolf

it happens because RX400h does not allow wheel slippage in order not to harm the the transmission. Of course, main reason is driving in snow with summer tires, which is a big no-no anyway.

is there an trac off button in rx400h?

JZA80MHU38

Nope, there's no TRAC off button in the RX400h. I think none of the Lexus/Toyota equipped with VDIM comes with a defeatable traction/stability control system.

spwolf

GS and IS do, just because reasons like this... But hybrids dont because it would harm the cvt...