Why does the Lexus handle so poorly in snow and ice?

Question

I have an Altima, and it does very well in snow and ice. I see the Lexus there, struggling to get out and the wheels spinning. What does it handle so poorly?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Which Lexus are you talking about? An Altima is front wheel drive, while the only Lexus that are front drive are the ES350 and RX350 with FWD. FWD will always handle better in snow because the "turning" wheels are the ones gaining traction and so you can turn into traction. With RWD, once you hit a slippery point, you'll just continue to slip because you won't be able to turn out of it. What you're seeing are probably the RWD Lexus with crap tires or the drivers are just over pushing the vehicles. It's not just Lexus, it's any RWD vehicle.

Good snow tires, with sufficient weight in the rear, will make a RWD handle much better.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Why do they even BOTHER to still make RWD???

Answer 2

The Lexus has an engine that makes a lot of torque from idle, which makes it easy to drive (usually), but on snow and ice, it would benefit from the fitting of thinner wheels and treaded tyres (M+S, Mud + Snow), and some more restraint from the driver!

Answer 3

It does not! Two likely causes for what you saw, tyres getting low on tread, driver with heavy foot on the go pedal. The 2 essentialls for those conditions are good tyres and a gentle foot on the go pedal.

Answer 4

Sh**** tires.

Answer 5

my husbands boss puts a sack of spuds in the boot then no probs