EX35 in Snow

[hawkeye_ex35]

We had our first snow storm since I got my EX35, so I got to check out the AWD for the first time. I'm coming from a BMW 328xi, which is also AWD with a rear-wheel drive bias. My impressions :

Didn't see much difference in snow mode - guess I don't need the throttle change it gives. It seems that it takes a long time for the front tires to catch when the rears start to slide - at least longer that the BMW. Tail goes out on turns as expected but more that I would have thought and since the fronts don't catch right away I need to be more careful as it's harder to slide the turns like I could with the BMW. Now the tires probably have something to do with this as I have new all-seasons on the EX35 and ran snows in the winter on the BMW. Snows for the EX35 are not in my budget because of TPMS.

Sounds like I'm complaining but I'm really not. Had no trouble negotiating the snow once I got used to it. We also had 30-40 mph crosswinds and the EX35 handled those very well, which surprised me given the profile.

[Rex]

I would have been surprised if the EX on all-seasons did as well as the 3-series on snows.

The tires alone will make a huge difference. I was able to go virtually anywhere in up to 8" of snow in my RWD Lexus with snow tires when a few of my co-workers could go no where in their FWD cars with summer tires. Again not an apples to apples comparison, but the tires make a huge difference.

Have you looked at EX take offs as a way to get dedicated snows & TMPS?

[hawkeye_ex35]

Not sure what I'll do long-term. This winter I'll live with what I have as the car did ok. I can live without TPMS in the winter (4 months) so I may go to dedicated snows next year without the sensors and live with the idiot light.

[TimGinCentralNJ]

We had our first snow storm since I got my EX35, so I got to check out the AWD for the first time. I'm coming from a BMW 328xi, which is also AWD with a rear-wheel drive bias. My impressions :

Didn't see much difference in snow mode - guess I don't need the throttle change it gives. It seems that it takes a long time for the front tires to catch when the rears start to slide - at least longer that the BMW. Tail goes out on turns as expected but more that I would have thought and since the fronts don't catch right away I need to be more careful as it's harder to slide the turns like I could with the BMW. Now the tires probably have something to do with this as I have new all-seasons on the EX35 and ran snows in the winter on the BMW. Snows for the EX35 are not in my budget because of TPMS.

Sounds like I'm complaining but I'm really not. Had no trouble negotiating the snow once I got used to it. We also had 30-40 mph crosswinds and the EX35 handled those very well, which surprised me given the profile.

Thanks for the review. The only snow I've had my new-to-me '08 EX in thus far has been the freak October storm where we got 13" of wet, heavy stuff...not a very good test of the vehicle IMO, but it did great.

To be honest, I'm not totally surprised your bimmer seems to do better in the white stuff--between the snows and the fact your bimmer has constant torque being received at the front wheels in contrast to the EX's somewhat "reactive" AWD system. I am guessing that my former vehicle (2005 Outback XT) which had a manual trans and a full-time 50/50 torque split between front/rear, a rear limited-slip differential and about 8" of ground clearance will probably seem much more capable in deep snow than my EX, however, when taking turns on slippery surfaces the Subaru tended to go straight--regardless of which direction the wheels were pointed in. It also never felt solid or well controlled on slippery surfaces--even with studded snows. All told, if there end up being any real trade offs with the EX, I'll gladly accept them because I just love this car.

Out of curiosity, what new all-seasons did you go with on your EX?

Thanks,
Tim

[hawkeye_ex35]

Yokohama AVID (17 inch wheels).

[alloveru]

i put 17" micheline x ice2 on without TPMS and i find it handles snow decently well. I use the manual shift mode, and "snow" mode and it seems to be a good combination in controlling spins, and over acceleration.
I have the factory 19" rims for the summers, I don't really see the possibility of even running them in the winter.
Yes it is annoying seeing the TPMS light on at all times, but you get use to it.

[TimGinCentralNJ]

Yes it is annoying seeing the TPMS light on at all times, but you get use to it.

A small piece of black electrical tape might do the trick

Tim

[CDNicecube]

I had a great time yesterday with my (AWD) EX35. In Ottawa, on Friday we had a pretty good winter storm. A mix of ice pellets, snow and flash freezes too booth. And blowing snow. So I had to drive about 60 miles in small country roads. The "tarmac" was mostly packed snow, sometimes bare and other times, icy. I going about 60- 70Kpm (40 mph?) more or less. The interesting thing was I could *feel* the AWD system working, transferring power to the front and or back wheels, and at one time, i could swear I felt the front left wheel being sent more power (albeit I am not sure if the AWD allows for right to left power transfer. Does it?). Of course, I drove safely. I felt a few times the brakes being applied (and the anti slide light on the dash illuminating) when I negotiated a long turn and slid a little.

All of this to say I was impressed. I also have 4 winter tires. I was so impressed that my next minivan will have to be AWD or 4WD (if they make any). I am aware that AWD may give the none experienced winter driver a false sense of security and one might be tempted to drive faster. But if you don't and are prudent, AWD helps a lot. I also used the SNOW button which made the engine less "peppy", I suppose, adding to the security of the car.

Interesting reading:

2008-awd-what-does-the-snow-button-do-t467197.html

[TimGinCentralNJ]

I had a great time yesterday with my (AWD) EX35. In Ottawa, on Friday we had a pretty good winter storm. A mix of ice pellets, snow and flash freezes too booth. And blowing snow. So I had to drive about 60 miles in small country roads. The "tarmac" was mostly packed snow, sometimes bare and other times, icy. I going about 60- 70Kpm (40 mph?) more or less. The interesting thing was I could *feel* the AWD system working, transferring power to the front and or back wheels, and at one time, i could swear I felt the front left wheel being sent more power (albeit I am not sure if the AWD allows for right to left power transfer. Does it?). Of course, I drove safely. I felt a few times the brakes being applied (and the anti slide light on the dash illuminating) when I negotiated a long turn and slid a little.

All of this to say I was impressed. I also have 4 winter tires. I was so impressed that my next minivan will have to be AWD or 4WD (if they make any). I am aware that AWD may give the none experienced winter driver a false sense of security and one might be tempted to drive faster. But if you don't and are prudent, AWD helps a lot. I also used the SNOW button which made the engine less "peppy", I suppose, adding to the security of the car.

Interesting reading:

2008-awd-what-does-the-snow-button-do-t467197.html

Glad to hear your EX faired well in some REAL winter conditions.

To answer your question, the EX's AWD system does have the ability to transfer power to a particular wheel using the anti-lock braking system (I know it can do this with the rear wheels, but I'm not sure about the front wheels since it could have negative impact on steering the vehicle...I will have to read-up on this). So, when slippage occurs with one rear wheel, the ABS kicks-in to reduce wheel spin, thus "transferring" torque to the opposing wheel. It's kind of a modern day "limited slip differential" if you're familiar with those. As with any traction management system (e.g., AWD, limited slip, etc), if the wheel receiving the torque doesn't have much traction either, your vehicle will likely slip and slide a little as the system tries to shift torque around to the wheel(s) with some grip, but that's the nature of the beast--and even more reason why appropriate tires for your region and driving conditions are so important.

Cheers,
Tim

[EXceptional]

Glad to hear your EX faired well in some REAL winter conditions.

To answer your question, the EX's AWD system does have the ability to transfer power to a particular wheel using the anti-lock braking system (I know it can do this with the rear wheels, but I'm not sure about the front wheels since it could have negative impact on steering the vehicle...I will have to read-up on this). So, when slippage occurs with one rear wheel, the ABS kicks-in to reduce wheel spin, thus "transferring" torque to the opposing wheel. It's kind of a modern day "limited slip differential" if you're familiar with those. As with any traction management system (e.g., AWD, limited slip, etc), if the wheel receiving the torque doesn't have much traction either, your vehicle will likely slip and slide a little as the system tries to shift torque around to the wheel(s) with some grip, but that's the nature of the beast--and even more reason why appropriate tires for your region and driving conditions are so important.

Cheers,
Tim

Excellent comment !!!

[jonnor]

I've used Bridgestone Blizzak WS snow tires every winter on all my FWD and AWD cars for years, and they make a huge difference in deep snow and and ice-covered roads compared to any all-season tire. These tires have saved my a** more than a few times. I just bought a new EX35 AWD with 245/45-19 rims and have already ordered a set of Blizzak WS-70's mounted on 225/55-18 rims (with TPMS ). Maybe a bit pricey for 4 months use, but my wife' safety and mine are worth it. Just my 02.

[TimGinCentralNJ]

Maybe a bit pricey for 4 months use, but my wife' safety and mine are worth it. Just my 02.

I could not agree more!

Tim