GS300 AWD and Snow

Revlimitr · Lexus Owner Joined: Feb 13, 2007 Posts: 1

Greetings GS3 Owners

After hours of driving and slushing around in my 06 GS AWD, let me report that lexus did a fantastic Job. I live in Maryland and we got hit with a medium sized snow storm and a heck of an ice storm. Since I had no power, I figured why not run its paces!!!

Acceleration: I tested this both with the Traction control on and off. With the Trac control on, its pretty sluggish. As soon as the system detects wheel spin, your acceleration is about over. But with it off, you pretty much had better hold on. This was in about 3 inches of snow and ice, but the car accelerated hard and straight. Any tail wagging is totally on the driver (ask how I know), and even then it's pretty hard to upset her.

Braking: If you've really driven your GS, you know the brakes are pretty good in the dry, as long as you aren't coming to a stop from 100+ MPH (they fade to nothing). On wet asphalt, it might as well be dry. In the snow, it might as well be wet. I came from 60 to a complete stop with no problems! The ABS worked perfectly and I had complete control over the car, even with steering inputs. I tapped the brakes while cornering and to my surprise the car does not uncontrollably fishtail. It will step out, but a quick push on the gas will correct and get you pointed in the right direction.

Cornering : This is where the GS suffers the most. I have to blame the tires for this one. They are just too narrow and are not designed for cornering in the snow at all (or rain!). (Trac Off) What happens is, when you are entering a turn (pressing the gas) the front tires do not grip the road through the initial turn in. The tires will bite once they have traction which, throws the car into a four wheeled slide. To rectify, you must stand (not literally) on the gas throughout the turn, and be careful not to turn the wheel beyond the correct turning angle. The rear of the car will cordially snap right in line with the front and you should be able to accelerate from the Apex. When Accelerating off of a turn, the GS Shines!! Just point the front tires where you want it to go and press the gas (NOT SMASH). It is almost impossible to loop the GS while accelerating off turn (just be careful on the initial turn in).
(Trac On) As soon as you turn in, it takes over. if you turn the wheel at an extreme angle it'll take over, if you accelerate off the turn, it will kick in. It is very intrusive in the snow (as it should be) and if you are not an experienced driver, you'll be thankfull that it is.

ALL OUT DRIVING: I drove in all conditions. 3 inches of snow, ice, slushy roads, wet roads, compacted snow and ice and your occasional huge puddle. I hit speeds of 80-100 MPH in fresh snow on the street (Asphalt) and besides the occasional front end push (NEVER TURN THE WHEEL PAST 30-40 DEGREES WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT SPEED IN THE SNOW, you will pay dearly, once those front tires bite, you go where they are pointed), she kept her cool. I even out accelerated and out handled a Hummer H2. I pushed her well beyond the limits that any self respecting GS300 owner should, and she never pushed back. The only real complaint is the GS uses way too much washer fluid!!!!

Endnote: Of course the GS cannot really compare to a WRX or an Audi A4 in the snow. These two companies have spent decades designing there AWD and 4WD systems. But Lexus is fast on the heels of there more refined big brothers.

PS. I puchased my GS in June of 2006. It has 26,000 miles on it, and I have not had a SINGLE problem. I have had 7 oil changes AND THATS IT. Brakes are perfect, Transmission is silky smooth (even after yesterdays ordeal), I have had no issues whatsoever and I am terribly hard on vehicles. I have not replaced a single part on my car as of yet (except Air and Oil Filter) and she runs like new. I have heard many horror stories regarding the GS, and they really are just stories. Keep in mind that mines is "fairly new" off of the assembly line so maybe they just fixed all the bugs.

REVLIMITR