So how is the Genesis in snow?

[Michael_S]

Now that some of you have had the car for a few months, and we've had most of one winter, I'm guessing some have driven the Genesis in snow or on icy conditions.

I'm wondering if the limited slip differential in the V8 makes a difference.

Have you driven on hills, or just flat terrain? We have a sloped driveway, and our front wheel drive vehicles were fine as long as the all season tires were relatively new. (We typically buy the 60,000 mile plus tread tires for our family vehicles, and we've discovered that they're fine in summer for the whole tread life but bad in winter past 35,000 miles or so.)

Also, please let me know if you're using snow tires or the standard tires.

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity.

 

[charlesleiss]

I used the factory standard tires this winter. They really aren't that great on snow and ice. My BMW 325i handles much better on the white stuff. Haven't been stuck yet with the Gen but am glad winter is almost over. Might consider buying snow tires for next year...but will wait a bit.

 

[doug725]

I've done OK on the OEM tires in moderate snow and slush You do have to be careful and drive conservatively - especially on turns. As with any rear drive car the biggest issue I have found in snow/ice is starting from a complete stop. I've actually found the wet traction to be more of a problem if it's both rainy and windy. The car is susceptible to wind and the rear end can also wander or track loose on a wet highway. A puddle can create what I'd consider excessive hydroplanning. If you experience any bucking or porpoising at the same time as I have on two occassions it can actually be scary. I suspect some of this due to the tire which from what I've read is biased to comfort/noise rather than actual traction.

 

[wallymn]

drove exactly once (home from the dealer) on the oem's they cannot be trusted on snow,

I switched to blizaks, between the limited slip, ECS and a good set of snows, the car is great in snow (only driven in up to 2 inches on the road).

Does very will in black ice also.

 

[Gimli]

You might want to try suing the search function of the forums, a lot of people have already commented on winter driving and may not see your thread or feel like posting the same thing again.

 

[ctrcbob]

Does very will in black ice also.

You can't break the law of physics.

 

[Bernie]

The switch from a front wheel drive car (Chrysler 300M) with winter tires to the Genesis with Dunlops was very disappointing in snow/ice (rather lethal if you're not psychology prepared for it). I drove the Genesis a few times in snow/ice and ended-up scaring myself silly.

I haven't purchase snow tires yet (I use my 300M instead for the winter), but I will purchase snow tires when I retire my Chrysler ... eventually.

 

[jwaters943]

In my honest opinion, you really need snow tires if you do any significant amount of driving in the snow. I found the Dunlops pretty useless. Even w/ snow tires my Genesis is no where near as good as my former vehicle, a 2006 AWD Pilot w/ all-seasons, on snow/ice.

With snow tires I would rate the car as "acceptable" in terms of winter driving ability. It sure is fun to swing the back end out in empty parking lots though.

I *hope* that Hyundai changes their mind about offering an AWD version. I think it would really help to bolster sales, especially in the snowbelt region.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Yeah, Crazy Minority checking in again...

As a leasee, I've been driving on the Dunlops daily during an exceptionally snowy Chicago winter:

1. I'm old. I grew up driving before there was wide-spread FWD, or AWD.
2. I was paranoid about RWD, especially coming out of a 4Motion Passat.
3. With 150 lbs of salt in the trunk (learned as a kid) AND extensive use of the pseudo manny (2ND to go from a stop, downshifting to brake), I've learned to have fun in the snow. Never ever scared to drive.
4. This also implies common sense: do not overdrive ANY vehicle. We've all experienced the SUV or Jeep going past us in the snow "because they can". Idiots putting us all at jeopardy.
5. Black ice: NO car will handle that "at speed" as said above.

My 2 cents, ymmv.

 

[jwaters943]

Very good feedback/advice!

Still, for me at least, the addt'l money spent on snow tires is worth the extra measure of security I get when having to drive in winter conditions. It's always improtant to take your time and leave proper spacing, but if a scenario were to arise where I had to make an evasive maneuver in order to avoid an accident I'd rather have my snow tires than the OEM Dunlops.

Just my $0.02!

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[ctrcbob]

BackToHyundaiByChoice;

You are from the "old school", just like me. My father (god bless him) taught me to drive in the month of February, in cold and "snowy" Rochester NY. I've never had a problem driving in the snow. One of the first things he taught me was not to do anything FAST.
I.E. Don't brake fast, don't push the gas fast, (don't engage the clutch fast <grin>) and don't turn the steering wheel fast.

Three months ago, December 08, I was driving my former car back to Florida from Roswell NM. Ran into a big snowstorm at Jackson MS, that lasted all the way to Hattiesburg MS. (Yes SNOW in Mississippi). Took me four hours to drive what normally takes me one and a half hours. Took it easy. No slip or slide. (My father taught me good).

 

[Bear]

I won't go over my prior postings about the tires. My question is why Hyundai would put Dunlop tires on a what they want to be a premium car? Dunlop is Goodyear's cheap line.

 

[Michael_S]

Thanks for the information, everyone.

Like I said in the thread opener, our driveway is sloped. With front wheel drive, we need relatively new tires or snow tires to get out of the driveway in front wheel drive cars. That's with the front end of the car downwards, so the weight is over the tires that push the car. I'd be nervous that the Genesis would get stuck.

You might want to try suing the search function of the forums, a lot of people have already commented on winter driving and may not see your thread or feel like posting the same thing again.

I apologize for being foolish and forgetting to check. I don't know why I forgot to look first.

 

[jwaters943]

BMW has used Dunlop tires over the years and while they are now 75% owned by Goodyear, they are an old company with a long history.

Not all Dunlops are created equal, just like w/ all other brands. My winter tires are Dunlop WinterSport 3Ds and they are very nice. They handle better in dry weather and in the white stuff than the OEM Dunlops while being only a tiny bit louder on certain surfaces. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=SP+Winter+Sport+3D

 

[wallymn]

sorry my sense (or lack of ) humor is lost in text sometimes....

black ice is a common problem due to high winds and blowing snow... it is a common joke to ask how a car handles on black ice....

no matter the car, the correct answer is ... handles like a dream.....

 

[WilhelmII]

BMW has used Dunlop tires over the years and while they are now 75% owned by Goodyear, they are an old company with a long history.

Not all Dunlops are created equal, just like w/ all other brands. My winter tires are Dunlop WinterSport 3Ds and they are very nice. They handle better in dry weather and in the white stuff than the OEM Dunlops while being only a tiny bit louder on certain surfaces. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=SP+Winter+Sport+3D

I completely agree about the Winter Sport 3Ds. I also picked up a pair from Tire Rack. I will never drive on all seasons in the winter again.

 

[Gimli]

I apologize for being foolish and forgetting to check. I don't know why I forgot to look first.

No need to apologize, was just making sure you wouldn't miss out on pertinent info

 

[rcerulli]

I found that it handles ok. You need to understand you are driving a RWD car (i've never owned a FWD, so i have quite a bit of experience). Keys are, turn slow, and allow plenty of room for braking. I was sliding everytime i hit the break while we had our snow storm last year. Good news is, you will do alot better then the idiots in their jeep wranglers spinning out on the highway because they thought they were invincible, meanwhile a small patch of snow sends them flying while i cruise by.

 

[jabrown6940]

I grew up driving rear wheel drive vehicles. '76 Camaro, no radials back then. Would get stuck in an ice hole, leave it in gear, get out pick up the rear end then chase the car down. Can't do that anymore.
The Genesis OEM tires are terrible. I left for work last Monday in the snow, went two blocks and then just went back home. Yesterday morning I went around a corner (not fast) and slid on sand. On the way home today, I didn't realize I was on the wet rubber strip at the railroad crossing, started out and nearly gave myself whiplash.
I'll just get better tires before next winter. I love this car and have no regrets at all.