highgate

LOL I've heard about the IS300, and this is what spawned my IS350 concerns. I've also heard the stories from RWD owners who say they never have trouble. It's hard to separate fact from fiction. My friend has a BMW 328i and his job is 100% on the road. He lives in Maine and says that he has never had trouble, and he runs without snows. How can this possibly be true? Anywho... I may have to visit my local Lexus dealer again (Not that I'm looking forward to that) and I'll give the IS350 a try. I know this for sure.... No matter what I buy, be it the IS or the G35x... I'll be buying a set of winter snows and wheels for it. The cost for wheels, tires and a clear bra will all be worked into my expected "out the door" cost. In the meantime, there has to be somebody here who drives the 350 year round, snow included.... right? Will I be the only one? Am I nuts? LOL Your question is valid. I live in NJ bought an IS 350 in November a week later it snowed! I had ordered the tires and wheels from tire rack but my timing was off. I didn't even try it, for the two days the car stayed in the garage. However with the wheels and winter tires on it makes it drivable. The rear end will feel a lilltle loose, so stay clear of the power setting. A bag of solar salt in the trunk will also help. It is safe and drivable, but be conservavive. My last car was an Audi Allroad so it s no where near up to that standard. But winter tires are a must. Southern NJ gets snow 2 weeks in a year it's no big deal unlike New England. However the car is truely awesome and its worth it for the fun and pleasure I get 98% over the course of a year. Good luck with whatever you choose.

So, if the tire pressure sensors are calibrated to 35 PSI, it takes a 10 PSI drop to have the alarm come on? That seems to be a big drop - this car can run at 100 MPH easily - I would not want to run at 80+ with the tires inflated to 25 PSI. I'm going to see what the dealer says...... David Beats not having any sensors at all. They probably don't expect you to run at sustained speeds of 100 MPH anyhow. I have an IS 350 my tire sensor went off yesterday. My driverside rear tire was down to 30psi. I had been told that a 5psi drop will activate the sensor. The sensors are not as sophisticated as my prior vehicle an Audi Allroad which identified the specific tire when the psi droppped.

A larger pic of my new wheels. Kazera 18" with Pirelli snow sport 225 40 front and 255 40 rear. For some reason I can't figure out it won't let me post another pic. I'll try another time.

Just a follow up to my original post.Lexus entered the id's of my tire sensors into the cars computer and everthing worked fine for 24hrs. Then my warning light came on again! I went back to Lexus and they found one of my sensors was bad. So a week later when a new sensor came in they replaced it for free. which was amazing as it wasn't even alexus sensor. Also Tire Rack acknowleded they were wrong and have covered the cost of $200 Lexus originally charged me for entering the ID's. So here's the scoop on a second set of wheels for the I350. (Note you NEED snow tires if they came with the summer variety. Driving in snow with summer tires is dangerious, I know from prior experince with a Volvo 850.) If you change tires and not wheels just make sure the existings sensors fit the tire the tire dealer should tell you, but this method is a pain as you have change twice a year and this will scratch your wheels up. Alternatley go with a performance all season but you compromise with performance and handling in both seasons. The best and most expensive option is to buy a new set of wheels and tires. Total cost for me was $2000, The tire sensors were $110 each. 18 " Pirelli 240 Snow sport and Karenza 18" wheels Yes ouch but they are great and road noise is really quiet, of course it hasn't snowed yet in S. Jersey but the winter is young, Happy New Year to All! Martin. (Here's a pic of new set. )

Hi just bought IS350 wonderful car! But now winter is here, so I bought tire wheel package from Tire Rack , Pirelli 240 18'' snow sport great tire plus senors, $110 a tire! Plus Karenza wheels. I had them installed Saturday. I initialized the system and set the program to second set. Everything worked for 24 hours then the tire sensor warning light came on. Checked pressures everthing was fine so I took into Lexus of Cherry Hill yesterday. They told that each sensor has an ID that has to inputed into the computer. I called Tire Rack they said nonsence! They have sold a significanyt number and no poblem encountered. I called another dealership who said the same thing as Cherry Hill each sensor has an ID which has to entered onto the car's computer. So who's right? It looks like it will cost me $250 to have the tires taken apart so they can read the sensors or alternatively I can drive around with a warning light on for 4 months. So I can't be the first IS 350 owner who has changed their wheels for winter. What have other's encounterd? Martin.