jaimbot

Im attending a school that is on top of a mountain and Im just preparing for the upcoming snow in the winter. I read a lot on this forum that states the Sh-AWD is great in flat road snow but I did not read many reviews in uphill/downhill situations going up a mountain. Im planning on putting Winter i pike W409 snow tires on the stock 18" rims for my 2009 TL SH-AWD, how will my car do going up and down the mountain, the steepness is around medium/ maybe a little above medium(downhill no brakes would be going around 120km/hr in normal conditions no snow). I live in British Columbia, Canada and it doesn't snow too much I would say it would not pass 10cm-15cm of snow for sure.

echodigital

I would try to find a set of 17 inch rims with winter tires. That is my setup for winters in T.O. It's a bit cushier with 17's which is an added bonus as the ride is firm to say the least. Winter tires are the way to go.

Edward'TLS

Jaimbot, you live in BC and attend a school on top of a mountain.

Let me guess. Simon Fraser University ?

The key to winter driving is to get a set of good snow tires.

SH-AWD + snow tires will get you anywhere in the snow, as long as the vehicle ground clearance allows.

Read my following snow tire review.

https://acurazine.com/forums/tires-w...in-pa4-879471/

wreak

Sh-awd with winter tires will make it a breeze getting there but downhill is another story, you just have to remember that AWD doesn't improve braking, that's up to your tires. The best advice I can give you is to pick a speed that's appropriate for the conditions and with a set of winter tires you should be just fine.

Tonyware

From a complete stop on snow/ice, shift to S and right-paddle-shift to 2nd. It will start in second gear with lots of traction. Assuming you are auto.

jaimbot

Yep, Im at SFU.

Tony Pac

All you need a nice set of tires with SH-AWD package.

I have a 2010 SH-AWD with Michelin X-Ice, I never had any issues. I drive like a champ during winter

Shuf_m

I have a 2012 awd-sh and also have the Hankook ipike w409 as well, on 17" steelers (cushier & better grip in snow). I live in Montreal now (used to live at the bottom of SFU btw - Gaglardi, what up!) and the TL's handling is really great in the snow.

Downshift instead of braking, as you're driving downhill - you'll be fine!

RDXtremist

i live in sfu since 2008.

just get dedicated snow tires like i did for my TL and RDX and and you'll do just fine.

i doubt there will be any significant snowfall this year.

andysinnh

I'll concur with the others. Wife has a '12 TL SH-AWD and I got a set of 17" takeoff TL rims and put on a set of Nokian Hakka R's for the winter setup. She teaches at a local high school that is on top of a fairly steep hill. She describes her car as a "tank" in the winter, and can start from a dead stop midway up that aforementioned hill in icy conditions and not spin a tire going forward. Given you're Canada, you should be able to easily find Nokian snows. They are by far the best winter tires I've ever run on my vehicles (and that includes Blizzaks and xIce variants).

You just have to remember the TL doesn't have a lot of ground clearance - so don't try to go offroading. The traction you get might tempt you to do so. :-)

cheers - andy