Winter Driving

Burroo 67 · November 26, 2015

Hi Guys,

This will be my first winter driving with the IS220d. Spoke to a friend who used to have one and he said that winter driving is an absolute nightmare, especially in the snow. Can you share experiences and give any advice please?

Cheers

madasahatter · November 26, 2015

I have winter tyres on at the moment and using snow mode for driving. Car feels ok no snow as of yet.

Left switch off this morning wheels spin very easy at 6 degrees, put back on and cars fine no issues. Its my first winter driving a rear drive

in over 20 yrs.

Z28DUNC · November 26, 2015

Yep use snow mode when your moving off, helps a lot.

Jamesf1 · November 26, 2015

only had is (250) for one winter and there was very little snow; however my driveway is a downward slope, it took the lightest sprinkling for my car not to be able to reverse, and just sat spinning its wheels. Winter tyres would help Im sure or maybe snow chains\socks but any coverage of snow and already resigned to not risking it. I also live at the top of a hill, and last time we had snow the entrance to my estate was littered with abandoned RWD cars.

madasahatter · November 26, 2015

There is a good video on utube. A bmw M3 going up a steep Hill in snow no bother with winter tyres on.

Bingo123 · November 26, 2015

so whats the best way ??

use Snow mode only at moving off or constantly. please share your thoughts

madasahatter · November 26, 2015

I am leaving mine on, car is slower so no sudden jerks just smooth also mines an auto.

Bingo123 · November 26, 2015

thanks mate

madasahatter · November 26, 2015

Hopefully some body like normski wil be along with more knowledge. As i am only learning myself again in a rear drive vehicle.

Drive careful and within your limits is the best advise i can give.

Z28DUNC · November 26, 2015

If its a manual I would turn it off once you are on a salted road. You can try it in the dry just to see how the car feels. Throttle response is sluggish but thats the point to reduce wheel spin.

madasahatter · November 26, 2015

The car changes gear really quick now. Soon in top gear must say couldnt believe the difference it make to be honest.

normski2 · November 26, 2015

Snow! Whats that then? Don't get much of that down here in the tropics.

Seriously though...yep you can use SNOW mode as it restricts the welly at your foot.

I tend to use mine in manual mode so i can hold it in a given gear...which the auto box tries to do going up through the gears. Thus far its worked well. I don't have winter tyres either...just Goodyears.

J Henderson · November 26, 2015

I'm a big advocate of running winter tyres, having done so for years on my old IS200, but if you have something heavy you can leave in the boot like a toolbox or socket set, that can help a little when things are slippery. Just tie it down with some bungie cords to stop it moving around.

is200 Newbie · November 26, 2015

As per Johns post above ... old school thoughts ...., weight in the boot just like your dad told you.

Bag of sand as the weight helps with grip and if stuck can help you get moving again. A full tank of fuel can also help (weight)

Make sure tyres are at correct pressures

and of course the snow mode on.

bluenose1940 · November 26, 2015

One of the real benefits of being a grey haired old whatsit and retired, if it aint nice out, you can stay in and be cosy! Wouldn't even go out to play snooker if it was icy or snowy.

Fishboy · November 26, 2015

Ive been lucky so far with 3 years ownership and not having to drive in the snow, but I do remember driving up a steep frosty hill in my previous IS200 manual with the snow button in with no problems, I didn't want to try switching it off.

mart1n54 · November 27, 2015

hi

I put some concrete slabs and about 25 kg of sand (in bags) in my boot, set off in 2nd and drive very warily, and be very light with the right foot. still been sideways a couple of times though possibly because of the weight in the boot.

Martin.

Burroo 67 · December 2, 2015

Thanks for all the responses, they've given me food for thought....

Tow quick questions about snow tyres: -

1. Which make would you recommend (heard Falken are decent for a decent price?)

2. Would you put them only on the drive wheels (my mate is a taxi driver in Aviemore and he does this - certainly it's a FWD car)

Thanks guys

madasahatter · December 2, 2015

Always do all 4 tyres with winters mate. I have falken summers on the car very good but not used there winters.

milleplod · December 3, 2015

Thanks for all the responses, they've given me food for thought....

Tow quick questions about snow tyres: -

1. Which make would you recommend (heard Falken are decent for a decent price?)

2. Would you put them only on the drive wheels (my mate is a taxi driver in Aviemore and he does this - certainly it's a FWD car)

Thanks guys

Falken are decent enough, but my 'winter' of choice is the Avon Ice Touring ST - I've got them on my IS250 now, and have previously used them on a SAAB 9-5 Aero and a Renault Espace. My wife also has them on her Doblo van. They've made each one of those vehicles unstoppable in snow, be it fresh powdery stuff, or the compacted, part-frozen variety. Camskill have them at very keen prices, 0n par with the usually-cheaper German suppliers.

As above, you really need winters on all 4 tyres.

Pete

juicestop · December 4, 2015

Pete, out of interest, did you stick to 245s on the rear or go for 225s all round?

milleplod · December 4, 2015

I went for 225s all round. There's no difference at all in feel, handling or roadholding - in fact, the only noticeable difference is that the rear arches don't look as 'full'! Then again, neither does an IS on 16s!

Pete

madasahatter · December 4, 2015

I have 225 front 235 rears but agree 225 all round would be hard to tell. You would normally put thinner snow tyres on.

Just look at the rally cars. I think if your not bothered about the arches been filled , you could go 205 50 17 no problem.

MIKEDAVIDN · December 5, 2015

I have winter 225,s front and back on my car,no problems,look fine, no difference in handling.

is250darren · March 15, 2018

I know it's an old post, but I have to share my experiences in the Beast from The East 1.0 earlier this month! My car is a standard IS250 SE Auto, with 245/45R17 tyres on the rear. The rear grip wasn't particularly great in heavy snow, and I got stuck! Thankfully I had some some snow socks in the boot . I'm not going to lie to you .... the fitting process was a pain in the bottom. There is very little space between the rear wheel arches and the tyres .... but I managed to get going within 5 minutes or so.

My Autosocks have paid for themselves already, but IMHO the is250 was never going to win any rallies