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fbarbarosa

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  • Lexus Model
    IS250 RWD '09

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  1. Three of the chain styles from SCC appear to be the right size for the IS250 RWD. Has anyone used them? Does anyone actully use chains on an IS250/350? Snow tires by themselves are not enough to meet California's requirements in chain control areas; all vehicles must carry chains. As I write this it is not snowing but the requirements on I80 over the Sierra are--CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM KINGVALE (PLACER CO) TO THE DONNER LAKE INTERCHANGE (NEVADA CO).
  2. I am also looking for alternatives to standard chains for an '09 IS250 RWD (stock 245 45 17) It only snows here once every 20 or 30 years, but we cross the Sierra Nevada occassionally and last week we were caught without chains by a sudden storm. The road iced up and cars that were stopped by a jack knifed truck began to slide off the crown of the road. Only great skill, Snow mode and lots of luck kept us from joining them. I am keenly interested in chain alternatives that do not require moving the car to complete installation. I also looked at the English version Rud site, but the product selector on the German site says that none of there chains fit '09 IS250 (European model), but I don't know what wheels and tires are specified.
  3. 1000 mile loop including Death Valley and Reno NV--- San Francisco area to Bakersfield on I5 (crowded and dull driving), but then came a nice run over the mountains to Mojave. The a great run from Mojave to Olancha on SR14 and US395; very smooth roads and very little traffic- very high cruise speeds. SR190 from Olancha to Death Valley has several long straights and some good curved sections over two mountain ranges. In the mountains watch for a "DIP" sign followed by a steep up slope; the next thing you see is sky, skid marks and scrapes. The entire road to Death Valley was the best drive I've had in a long time. It looked as if all the maintenance money and none of the traffic was found on those desert roads. From Death Valley it was back out via SR190 to US395 and on to Reno NV. There a several high passes and curved sections to add interest. Traffic was light and the urge to speed was strong, but the CHP and sheriff’s deputies were everywhere. Traffic in the Carson valley and Reno area is bad and Nevada highway signs are worse. On the leg back to the Bay Area we were caught in sudden snow storm from the 7000 foot level down to 5000 feet. At no time did we encounter chain restrictions and when a big rig jack knifed and blocked the westbound lanes we began to worry. The outside air temp was 32F or above but the road began to ice. We were stopped on a slight slope and I have to say it was a bit scary when the car gave a lurch and began to slide off to the side. When a Cadillac SUV about 10 yards ahead was able to get straightened out and move forward I used the Snow mode to follow in his tracks. I never thought that I would ever use the Snow mode! So a trip over the Sierra that I would normally do at speeds of 70 or more became one of 20 mph. Bad weather aside, my wife and I really enjoyed our ~1000+ miles in her IS250 and the F-Sport sways I installed made the mountain sections a pleasure. Although I must also add that in crossing several passes at up to 8000 feet and 80mph, the 250 was working hard.
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