How does the SH-AWD handle in the ice and snow?

 

I'm sure all the RL drivers did great on the way home last night. I did just great with my IS350 RWD!

 

I had no problem with my TL but I didn't stop for any stop signs on the side streets.

 

Not in Toronto but I drove in burlington and live by the lake at the end of Stoney Creek before Grimsby.

The drive was a piece of cake as has been every drive in the snow since I got my Nokian Hakkas. If I had the OEM Michelins I bet the drive would have been quite interesting.

Just for fun when I got into my subdivision Thurs afternoon I did 2 hard stops and the car acted like it was on dry pavement. I have done less abrupt braking (and on slightly superior road conditions than Thursday) with the OEMs and the ABS would come on and the car would slide a bit.

The RL+snow tires is the way to go. It's about a 70% increase in traction/handling/sense of security than the RL with the crappy Michelins. Don't get me wrong, the RL with the OEMs can get you where you need to go (I drove 2 winters with the OEMs) but I would never want to drive this car again in the winter without some good snow tires since they help unlock the full benefits of the AWD system in poor weather.

 

I've heard good things about Nokian snow tires. Question though...would snow tires on the factory rims be compatible with the PAX and tire pressure monitoring system or is that out of the question for a PAX-equipped RL?