Lexus ISF / IS-F / LFA / LF-A  Forum banner

How is the IS-F in snow?

6081 Views 13 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  RSPSupra
I am interested in this vehicle but I am worried with rear wheel drive it will handle like my Supra in the snow. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
It is going to be interesting to see how people say it will handle and drive in the snow. Since it just came out, this will be the first winter where a lot of individuals are going to be able to drive it in winter weather :cool: I would venture to say it would handle like any other Lexus when put in snow mode and driven safely. So long as your not slamming on the breaks, spinning tires to get to the speed limit or racing, you should be fine imo :)
no one has had this car in the winter yet so no one would know lol
To be honest, it is like driving many other FR cars. Oversteer can happen easily, but is also easily controlled. Snow mode helps a lot. Also, my best suggestion would be to drive cautiously, and brake early, rather than late.

You will have fun in empty parking lots though!
Get yourself a nice set of SNOW tires, use the SNOW mode, and take pre-cautions. Remember, the Vehicle does have Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Control, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, and Hill Start Assist Control. The VSC and VDIM are electronic systems designed to help a driver maintain vehicle control under adverse conditions, but that doesn't mean you don't have to take pre-cautions and drive safely.

Hope that helps and good luck !!
How is the IS-F in snow

I just mounted a set of snow tires (Blizzak LM-25) and rims to my IS-F. I'll get back to you in a couple of months :)

I imagine it will do okay, but the reduced ground clearance worries me a little bit. My salesman at the Tire Rack said he drove an IS350 for a while in the snow with the same Blizzaks and had no problems with the southern Indiana lake effect snows, so hopefully I'll be okay. Here in St. Louis, we don't really get that much snow so I should be ok.

Jeff
I just mounted a set of snow tires (Blizzak LM-25) and rims to my IS-F. I'll get back to you in a couple of months :)

I imagine it will do okay, but the reduced ground clearance worries me a little bit. My salesman at the Tire Rack said he drove an IS350 for a while in the snow with the same Blizzaks and had no problems with the southern Indiana lake effect snows, so hopefully I'll be okay. Here in St. Louis, we don't really get that much snow so I should be ok.

Jeff
I agree completely. Tires of the correct type will make the biggest difference. Blizzak's have a great reputation. All of the electronic wizardry will be a huge help too. Just stay out of the really DEEP stuff!
This is what my dealer told me "Even if you have the best tires it is still a RWD and also it's putting out a lot of torque." He even mention about the Blizzak snow tires and all the electronic system still wouldn't help much in the snow. But to me this is what I think. It depends on how much snow is on the street and also depending on how your driving style is and don't slam on the acceleration like a maniac.
I believe ngl1145 just put on his snow rims and tires, I hope he chimes in :)
I had a chance to try it out today, but the 4 inches melted so quite...no dice haha. But the previous IS I had was fantastic in the snow with snow tires and snow mode. Got me into some nice places for snowboarding.
I feel for you guys who lives in Snow condition states..I live in MD due to that I hardly ever get snow in this state anymore..It does but not as much, however I do have to deal with Ice..:eek:
It's a bit**!! I have no plans on driving it..
I am interested in this vehicle but I am worried with rear wheel drive it will handle like my Supra in the snow. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark
I installed Blizzak LM 25's, 225/40/19 Front 255/35/19's back on the weekend. This morning I had a chance to test them after the first significant snowfall of the year.

Overall I am extremely impressed by the drivability. Set car in snow mode and off she went. Obviously common sense is required and a light foot on the throttle even in snow mode. Traction control may be a little eager to interfere in some instances but the tires do a great job.

Cudo's to Tire Rack who did a fantastic job shipping the wheels and tires. Probably the most impressive online buying experience I have had to date.
^^Thats really good to hear
I installed Blizzak LM 25's, 225/40/19 Front 255/35/19's back on the weekend. This morning I had a chance to test them after the first significant snowfall of the year.

Overall I am extremely impressed by the drivability. Set car in snow mode and off she went. Obviously common sense is required and a light foot on the throttle even in snow mode. Traction control may be a little eager to interfere in some instances but the tires do a great job.

Cudo's to Tire Rack who did a fantastic job shipping the wheels and tires. Probably the most impressive online buying experience I have had to date.
Great to hear, thanks. :)

Mark
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top