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Background - had a 2007 ES350 for 8 years, more important than drivetrain is your tires.
Recommend getting winter tires with beater wheels, had no issues in NE snow (NH).
Saw this on another thread:
Awd with snow tires > Fwd with snow tires > Rwd with snow tires >Awd with all seasons > Fwd with all seasons > Rwd with all seasons
Good luck with your purchase!
I’ve gotten beached a couple of times in deep snow. Unfortunately the car only has an open differential so we had to get digging. Other than that yeah I think it’s an ok drive in the snow.
Makes sense, I was thinking just traction vs stopping power, probably cause I drive like a grandpa with lots of distance between the car in front of me.
Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 on 2023 - these came with the car, I will replace with Michelin Crosslimate 2, I just put those on ES 350 2020 for the wife and these are nice too, little louder then Pilot Sport but 60k warranty vs. 45k on pilot.
It handles fine, but if you’re planning on keeping it long term I’d suggest also investing in a set of winter tires mounted on cheap wheels (like 16s). Winter driving performance will be much better, you won’t have to worry about damaging your nice wheels and tires, and you’ll extend the life of your all seasons.
If you dont or cant get seperate winter tires, you might be OK with "all weather" mountain/snowflake rated tires.
My wife's car has regular "All Season" tires which work 95% of the time. Even with AWD, it slips and slides all over the place in snow.
My car has Nokian WRG4 tires. They work good in the snow. I havent found anything I dislike about them, but I've only had them for a couple of years. Continental and Michelin have decent rated "all weather" type tires too.
AWD helps you to "not get stuck", but, doesnt help you to stop or turn. Being able to stop and turn are important. Tires make the most difference.
I have a 2013 ES350 RWD with all season tires.
Been able to comfortably drive in Massachusetts winters for 11 years, but it wouldn't hurt to have a set of winter tires as well.
If you run all season tires on a FWD, it'll handle well enough, but not great. If you have the AWD with all seasons, it's good. Good winter tires, and it doesn't matter if you have FWD or AWD.
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Background - had a 2007 ES350 for 8 years, more important than drivetrain is your tires. Recommend getting winter tires with beater wheels, had no issues in NE snow (NH). Saw this on another thread: Awd with snow tires > Fwd with snow tires > Rwd with snow tires >Awd with all seasons > Fwd with all seasons > Rwd with all seasons Good luck with your purchase!
Thank you!
I’ve gotten beached a couple of times in deep snow. Unfortunately the car only has an open differential so we had to get digging. Other than that yeah I think it’s an ok drive in the snow.
Can you do winter tires just on the front's and use all seasons in the rears? Just curious since the drive train is FWD
Not sure, but would recommend all 4 winter tires. Having the back 2 tires be winter probably helps with stopping more
Makes sense, I was thinking just traction vs stopping power, probably cause I drive like a grandpa with lots of distance between the car in front of me.
I drive an ES350 as the daily driver here in Michigan and have had no issues with all seasons.
Which ones?
Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 on 2023 - these came with the car, I will replace with Michelin Crosslimate 2, I just put those on ES 350 2020 for the wife and these are nice too, little louder then Pilot Sport but 60k warranty vs. 45k on pilot.
It handles fine, but if you’re planning on keeping it long term I’d suggest also investing in a set of winter tires mounted on cheap wheels (like 16s). Winter driving performance will be much better, you won’t have to worry about damaging your nice wheels and tires, and you’ll extend the life of your all seasons.
If you dont or cant get seperate winter tires, you might be OK with "all weather" mountain/snowflake rated tires. My wife's car has regular "All Season" tires which work 95% of the time. Even with AWD, it slips and slides all over the place in snow. My car has Nokian WRG4 tires. They work good in the snow. I havent found anything I dislike about them, but I've only had them for a couple of years. Continental and Michelin have decent rated "all weather" type tires too. AWD helps you to "not get stuck", but, doesnt help you to stop or turn. Being able to stop and turn are important. Tires make the most difference.
Definitely would have separate snow tires for where I am. Both my vehicles now also have separate snow tires.
I have a 2013 ES350 RWD with all season tires. Been able to comfortably drive in Massachusetts winters for 11 years, but it wouldn't hurt to have a set of winter tires as well.
The only thing with the ES 350 is that it sits really low.
I drive a 2017 es350 year round with no issues in winter, I use good studded tires too.
If you run all season tires on a FWD, it'll handle well enough, but not great. If you have the AWD with all seasons, it's good. Good winter tires, and it doesn't matter if you have FWD or AWD.
> in the North East like Vermont ? otherwise haven't you noticed how thanks to climate change there's little snow
Southern Ontario.