Why does the LS suck in the snow???

The LS does not suck in snow. Your tires suck in snow. It really is that simple. Proper winter tires are the single most important factor in a vehicle's performance in snow.

As for the TC, I agree that it can be invasive at times. This is especially true on the Gen1 ('00-02) LS's, where the TC will kick in at the slightest sign of spin. On my Gen2 ('06) the TC is much more relaxed and will allow a takeoff with prolonged wheelspin as long as it isn't spinning too fast, which is a real bonus in very snowy conditions. Once it does kick in though, you have to back off the accelerator completely to 'reset' it and get power back to the wheels. (Note that both my gen1 and gen2 had Advancetrac, so the behaviour you see might be different with just plain old TC).
 
Agreed! I run 275/35/18 snow tires in the rear on my LS and I dont have any problems getting around through the snow.

Can it be better, YES! but that is why I put 360lbs of quikcrete tubes in my trunk. Then I can get through almost any type of snow.

Next winter with the new LSD I put in my car should make a HUGE difference.

Going back to the tires, 2 years ago I switched back to my Z rated Summer tires in April, about a 1 week later it snowed about an inch while I was out on the road. I went to brake for a red light only going 35mph I slid over 150ft before the car came to a stop.

So yes it is your crappy tires causing your LS not having traction.
 
Someone correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't Traction Control help with an open diff? I mean if one wheel is spinning due to no traction, that'd mean the other wheel is getting none of the power. So wouldn't the Traction Control apply brake pressure to the spinning wheel, in turn giving power to the non spinning wheel? I guess in a situation where you would be completely stuck without TC and and open diff, then you wouldn't be. I know it's not a locker but in a sense, doesn't it have some of the same properties?

How does the TC work on LSs?
 
The traction control on the LS cuts the power when it feels a wheel spinning. That's useless if you're trying to rock yourself out of a parking spot, since you can't apply any power to get you out. I always turn mine off regardless of the weather. I like to be in control of the car.
 
glanga - everytime i see you respond to a post all i can think of is this weird like... arabian rap video that my former dorm buddies used to watch, laugh at, and re-enact drunk... galang alang alang... cuz your display name... lol
had to get that off my chest.
/side note
"Syracuse is known for its snowfall. Boasting 115.6 inches (293.6 cm) on average,[5] the Syracuse metro area receives more snow on average than any other large city in the United States"
i like to think i've got a fair amount of experience in driving in the stuff... sorry to say champ but i believe its driver/tire error.
 
now that I think about it... you guys are all wrong... this is titled:

"why does the LS suck in the snow"


There could be two answers to this question... because he didn't elaborate. Either he's failed to roll up his windows, of he's got his hood open and air filter removed... Either one will cause the LS to "suck in the snow"
 
the advance trac on the LS works by cutting power to the rear wheels and individually applying brake pressure. The Gen 1's cut power through ignition retardation, Gen 2's just cut power through the DBW/TBW system.

In both cases you've got a fundamental issue for the speedy forward movement you're trying to execute... while the brake application to the spinning tire will act somewhat as a "limited slip" (and I use that term very very loosely), you've got the issue with your throttle being cut... excessively.
 
I know that ideally I should have snow tires on my car but for the amount of snow we get during the winter its not enough to spend the money on them. I have about 200 lbs of weight in the trunk worth of stereo equip, and i think the LS handles fairly well while moving but my main issue is getting going. I have all seasons on it right now but other cars ive owned that are rear wheel that have all seasons werent as bad at getting going.
And yes I have to turn my advancetrac off to even have a hope of moving, my car pretty much shuts down when I give it gas when im stuck, just cuts all power once i start spinnin.
 
yea i do admit that teh TCS is a bit over-active. if you start to spin at all it shuts you down HARD at low speeds. but it saved my ass once at 55 so i can't complain.. just an oswego legendary blizzard going on and was going in a straight line and suddenly not, my cruise was on and i was hungover so my reactions weren't on high alert and my rear started to fidget out to the passenger side.. the TCS kicked in enough to let me react to recover. so while i hate it for anytime you're attempting to accelerate it definately has its saving grace at high speeds.
 
NYC LS8 said:
The traction control on the LS cuts the power when it feels a wheel spinning. That's useless if you're trying to rock yourself out of a parking spot, since you can't apply any power to get you out. I always turn mine off regardless of the weather. I like to be in control of the car.
Click to expand...

+1 same here.
The TC is too aggressive and too intrusive. I mean all I have to do is take a couple of corners around here that are bumpy and the TC is on and cutting power. It's also ridiculous that it won't shut it's self off unless you lift off.

Turning it off is all part of my startup checklist with the LS.
Start engine,
Tap memory button to ensure seat is all the way into position,
Foot on brake, shift to Neutral,
Release parking brake,
Tap button to turn off stabilitrac/traction control.
shift into gear.
 
I have Blizzaks on my LS and it still sucks in the snow. It is constantly stuck. I use the snow thrower on my driveway, then get stuck 10 feet out of the driveway and take 2 hours to get back those 10 feet back.

I didn't throw anything in my trunk though... I'll try that next winter I guess.
 
Here's some advice on getting around in snow, coming from someone who lives in a city which has had nearly 4 m (13') of snow so far this year.
1. Use winter tires with at least 6/32" of tread, about half of new. That usually means replacing them long before they look "worn out" by summer tire standards. The deeper the tread the better.
2. don't spin the tires. ever. This causes nearly total loss of traction, especially if you are stuck or moving slowly.
3. if you get stuck, the best thing to do is put grit under and around the tires. Use sand, fine gravel, road salt, kitty litter (seriously), etc. This allows your tires to grab despite the ultra smooth layer of ice that you created by spinning them (see #2).
4. put sandbags, salt bags, etc. in the trunk for more weight. Also keep your gas tank as full as possible. 65 L of fuel weighs over 140 lbs and this makes a big difference. As a bonus, the sand or salt could be used to help get you unstuck (see #3).
 
i have yet to encounter snow that is stuck on the ground or ice...now slick roads, all the time...no problem really...i turn off my TC...little spin here and there but no problem...its sleeting right now...
 
For winter travel, there is no replacement for FWD or AWD or 4WD. Why do you think they started making FWD cars in the first place? Winter traction. My LS will never be a snowmobile...not even close. I'd take a dodge neon or a chevy cavalier, ford escort, etc. over the LS in the ice and snow. I don't give 2 $hits what kind of tires you run. You can put 35" M/Ts on the LS and it's still going to SUCK in icy/snowy weather. No replacement for FWD.
 
They make FWD cars for cost effectiveness. It is way cheaper and easier to build and assemble FWD cars rather than RWD or AWD cars. It has nothing what so ever to do with winter.


Only way to make any car good in the snow is with winter rated tires, period. By winter rated I mean tires with the snow flake symbol. Like Hanook winter I-pikes, blizzaks, ect.
 
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