How are the '98-'99's in the snow?

[HeavyEarly]

Looking at some 98-99's....very new to these vehicles.

We live up in the Rochester-Buffalo corridor.

Normally we run studded snows on our vehicles.

Thanks.

 

[Emcd]

I have a 1998 and I love it in snow and ice here in Colorado. My wife has a traction control 4Runner and I hate it when the computer turns on. I like controlling the skid with the accelerator and steering and not have the computer think for me.

 

[krice118]

98 here with General Grabber AT2's- never skipped abeat last winter in some slick conditions. If you have good tires you will be fine.Like EMCD said no computer kicking you off if need be but I just put it in 2nd Start and tranny in 2 to help with stopping and starting.

 

[HeavyEarly]

I have a 1998 and I love it in snow and ice here in Colorado. My wife has a traction control 4Runner and I hate it when the computer turns on. I like controlling the skid with the accelerator and steering and not have the computer think for me.

98 here with General Grabber AT2's- never skipped abeat last winter in some slick conditions. If you have good tires you will be fine.Like EMCD said no computer kicking you off if need be but I just put it in 2nd Start and tranny in 2 to help with stopping and starting.

Thanks guys.

Looking at the '98-99's specifically to avoid the VSC issues I've read about. Maybe they disappeared on the later 100's, but I just haven't found that info yet.

 

[SHAGGY101]

What VSC issues? VSC has never been a common problem. Just a handful of people have had some sort of sensor related issue that is easy to sort out.

 

[Manhattan]

Granted, my 100 isn't a 98/99, but I've never driven a truck/SUV that's better on snow or ice.

This shot exemplified it. I pulled this car 1/2 mile up an icy road (I think Atlanta has more zambonis than plows), and the 100 drove, sounded and felt as if it were on dry flat ground pulling nothing - none of the traction aids kicked in...

I stopped next to an Atlanta patrol car sitting in the bowl of long icy hill - blue lights flashing
Cop: Can I help you?
Me: I was actually stopping to see if I could help you... stuck?
Cop: Uhm... yeah. But, a tow is enroute
Me: How long since dispatched?
Cop: Going on an hour now
Me: I can have you out of here in 5 min.
Cop: You don't mind?

 

[HeavyEarly]

What VSC issues? VSC has never been a common problem. Just a handful of people have had some sort of sensor related issue that is easy to sort out.

I have not looked into the issue extensively. I happened to come across this thread while researching the LX 470 in general.

LX470 VSC/ Slip Control Problem??? - Club Lexus Forums

If you read through the posts, you'll find it's often not as easy to fix as a sensor.

And even when it was a sensor, sometimes very dangerous driving conditions were still encountered first.

 

[sk8salomon]

I'd rather drive my LX470 in the snow anyday than my 60!

 

[HeavyEarly]

Granted, my 100 isn't a 98/99, but I've never driven a truck/SUV that's better on snow or ice.

This shot exemplified it. I pulled this car 1/2 mile up an icy road (I think Atlanta has more zambonis than plows), and the 100 drove, sounded and felt as if it were on dry flat ground pulling nothing - none of the tradition aids kicked in...

I stopped next to an Atlanta patrol car sitting in the bowl of long icy hill - blue lights flashing
Cop: Can I help you?
Me: I was actually stopping to see if I could help you... stuck?
Cop: Uhm... yeah. But, a tow is enroute
Me: How long since dispatched?
Cop: Going on an hour now
Me: I can have you out of here in 5 min.
Cop: You don't mind?

Haha...very cool!

 

[Hokie LX]

I live north of Buffalo and I bought my LX470 because they're so good in the snow. Granted mine isn't a 98-99. Mine is a 2003. I rode in one a couple of years ago (Nov '14-the big storm) up here and was very impressed, so when I moved here earlier this year (from NC) I got one.

 

[SmoothLC]

I'd say the '99s are right at home in the snow.

This was with some Revos near the end of their life.

I expect the KO2s to be even better.

 

[HeavyEarly]

I live north of Buffalo and I bought my LX470 because they're so good in the snow. Granted mine isn't a 98-99. Mine is a 2003. I rode in one a couple of years ago (Nov '14-the big storm) up here and was very impressed, so when I moved here earlier this year (from NC) I got one.

That's quite a temp adjustment from NC. Thanks for the feedback.

I'd say the '99s are right at home in the snow.

This was with some Revos near the end of their life.

I expect the KO2s to be even better.

Great pic!

 

[Hokie LX]

That's quite a temp adjustment from NC. Thanks for the feedback.



Great pic!

It was quite the adjustment! Had to sell my fun BMW sports car for something more capable. Apparently a 500whp RWD car on 275 tire isn't good in the snow haha. The LX/LC are very capable in the snow and bad weather though. You won't be disappointed.

 

[RootMeanSqr]

VSC and ATRAC are likely to be more help in snow/ice on the road than diff locks. We keep diff locks OFF on the tarmac because it binds the axles, it _causes_ wheel slip/spin in low traction environments, not what you need in snow/ice. That being said, if/when you do get stuck, it's helpful to get you out. Off road, things are different, it's more important to keep moving. A fully locked system will keep you moving, but on road, having control over the vehicle wins.

Just my $0.02, and how I made my decision. But I'm on tarmac 95% of the time.

 

[benjawi4]

VSC and ATRAC are likely to be more help in snow/ice on the road than diff locks. We keep diff locks OFF on the tarmac because it binds the axles, it _causes_ wheel slip/spin in low traction environments, not what you need in snow/ice. That being said, if/when you do get stuck, it's helpful to get you out. Off road, things are different, it's more important to keep moving. A fully locked system will keep you moving, but on road, having control over the vehicle wins.

Just my $0.02, and how I made my decision. But I'm on tarmac 95% of the time.

This is how I see it as well, although having a 2000 (with atrac and vsc) I guess I'm biased. Do you ever find the need to throw it in 4Lo?

 

[jemsec]

Both are excellent if you use good judgement and remember ice and snow is/are ice and snow. When there is heavy snow and ice you can't count the 4WD vehicles in the ditch.

Snow and ice in Alabama with a redneck in a 4WD vechicle is extremely dangerous. Keep them in front of you.

Hey ya'll, watch this! Ditch in a heart beat.

 

[RootMeanSqr]

... Do you ever find the need to throw it in 4Lo?

Any time I need to drive slow due to the terrain, and definitely if a wheel could get air under it. Reason being that ATRAC needs a high enough RPM. but you want wheel speed slow enough to not break an axle when it kicks in. 4Lo does that nicely.

Also, as a side note, with 2nd Start enabled, you can command gears 1 (L), 2, and 3 (D, when moving fast enough).

 

[landylover21]

My '98 has always been very sure-footed in the snow, albeit with the right set of tires! My mom's 2007 LX felt a bit more planted with the same tires in certain snowy situations (like her driveway, which is the driveway from hell) but that's due to the extra electronic nannies.

All-in-all, it comes down to driver skill and erring on the side of caution, some trucks just make it easier

 

[REZARF]

I am a 99 Colorado resident. Best vehicle I've had in the snow hands down. Get a good tire and be prepared to be impressed.

 

[LTrain0800]

Not bad, this is 19" of fresh snow.