scubadvr20

I am considering purchasing a 2004 LS430 and want to know how this car performs in the snow. If it does not perform well with stock tires, will snow tires improve performance? If so, what tires do you recommend?

Thanks for your help.

Bob

hatchback

I drove a 2004 LS430 extensively in snow this winter on the OEM tires (Dunlop all season radials). Initially I was worried because RWD has a bad reputation in snow. However the LS430 drives admirably in snow, better than many FWD cars, because it has excellent traction control so the tires don't spin and excellent vehicle stability control w/ 4 channel ABS so the car goes where you point it. The traction control has a special "snow" setting that limits how much power is transferred to the real wheels.

AggieLS

While I drive a GS, go buy the tires and rims at Tire Rack for around $800 as soon as you can. Best purchase I have made was for Michelin Artic Alpins and they make the car very stable in snow. We've had a couple of storms of 4-5" each last two weeks and I never had an issue whatever I was headed. Last year had a storm with over 8" and same results, not a single issue while many other folks got stuck. My local tire dealer did the mounting and stores the alternate set for me without charge. The snow mode locks out 1st and allows better use of the engine but the tires really make the difference.

daryll40

Look thru the past threads on this. My '04 LS430 has NOKIAN WR all-season with a winter bias tires. They are FANTASTIC in snow. As good as FWD and close to 4WD. I bought them from a Nokian dealer in Albany, NY and had them shipped to me in Pittsburgh. Dealer installed them for $85. The whole thing cost me close to $800 but it's what is necessary if you have snowy hills like we do. Other LS owners recommended them to me. THey are guaranteed for 50,000 miles, unlike Blizzaks or Michelin Artic Aplins which are soft and wear out in 1-2 seaons. You can leave the Nokians on all the time...I haven't decided if I'll do that or put the Dunlops back on in the spring. Truthfully, I had to spin some tire getting out of my driveway and it appears that I may have worn down the Nokians prematurely just a little. I doubt I'll get 50,000 miles, but I'd be happy with 30,000 here in Pittsburgh.

Brandon@TR

Nothing provides better snow and ice traction then dedicated winter tires. I recommend Blizzak WS-50 because they have the best traction. They last 3-4 winter seasons and should not be driven in the summer.

BS Blizzak WS-50

anarkist6

Drive on them in the summer?? LOL. I love adds for cars with aftermarket rims that read "2 sets rims" or Winter tires" and it's just the all seasons that came with the car and the guy puts them on for the winter as his "snow" tires. HAHAHA.
Seriously though, dedicated snows are ALWAYS the way to go. I had 4 on my 88 Crown Vic years ago and we had one HELL of a winter. I LOVED pulling away from SUV's at lights, especially after they'd change lanes to go around the "rear driver". HAHAHAAA.