The Lexus Technologies That Keep Us on the Road in Winter
November 25 2020, Lexus Laval
With winter on our doorstep, we have to think about adapting our driving. Ultimately, we are responsible for the proper control of the vehicle we drive. However, when you're behind the wheel of a Lexus product, you benefit from additional protection, devices that are there to help you in case of skidding or loss of grip.
First, there's the traction control system that's standard on all models. When accelerating on a slippery surface, this system detects if one or more wheels are unable to provide the traction needed to move the vehicle forward. If this happens, power is then transferred to the other wheels to allow the vehicle to move forward.
Of course, this is all made possible by all-wheel drive, which is able to send the power forward or backward, depending on the situation. And Lexus' all-wheel drive is among the best in the industry, because it's fingertip responsive.
Once launched, if a skid should occur, whether it's due to slippery road surfaces or an over-enthusiastic turn, the Traction Control System will detect this loss of control. It will then apply the brakes strategically to bring the vehicle back straight. This approach is so much a part of our daily driving routine that we tend to forget it, but it is more effective than ever and prevents many collisions every year.
Finally, if your vehicle slips despite all the systems in place, selecting the Snow driving mode, with models that offer this type of setting, will ensure you get off to a smooth start. Basically, it modifies the response of the transmission, so the power that is sent to the wheels is never too strong and likely to cause the wheels to spin. In fact, it adapts perfectly to the surface and provides just the right amount of power to keep the vehicle moving.
All of these systems combined make for a more than reassuring driving experience behind the wheel of a Lexus vehicle. All you have to do is behave yourself in winter.
