When going to popular ski resorts like Lake Tahoe, how much clearance does a car need in order to drive on the highways and roads during snow season assume that the roads are cleared during and after snow storms?

Can a normal height AWD car drive around okay? Like a WRX/STI or AWD Camry or AWD Lexus IS300? AWD with all season tires and 4"-6" clearance?

Or does one really need an SUV/truck? AWD with 8-10" clearance? RAV4 or Outback or Tacoma?

Do you still have the Lexus LX 470 or 570, like the 4runner?

Ordinary clearance should be just fine, especially if an AWD. The main roads will be cleared and driveable if open at all (possibly requiring chains/snow tires or 4WD). By the time they declare R3, they usually just close completely.

I still have the truck. But I need to replace my car soon and trying to figure out what my options are in advance.

I want something that will allow for trips to Tahoe and OR during winter - assuming the areas have snow clearing vehicles. So, want AWD or 4WD.

Narrowed choices to: Camry V6 AWD, used Lexus IS AWD, or Tacoma / Tundra crewcab 4WD.

Open bed is nice but largely don't need - can use the LX and rent a trailer if necessary.

The Camry is the front runner but not sure if it will do well in snow. Saving the LX for long haul, off road trips like Moab. Guzzles gas for short weekend trips to Tahoe.

Middle ground is maybe the RAV4 AWD.

My wife formerly had an Audi A3 Quattro
Great car. With Hakka winter tires could get through anything. Would push a snow drift a foot higher than the hood out of the way to go up hill.
Got through weather that my Jeep Wrangler had a hard time with
She is an excellent skilled driver more than I however

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
The main roads will be cleared and driveable if open at all (possibly requiring chains/snow tires or 4WD). By the time they declare R3, they usually just close completely.

I agree.

Assuming that the roads in the areas you’ll be driving are maintained as they are in the mountains of Colorado, the key is to have decent snow tires (with AWD or 4WD as a bonus). If it gets to the point that clearance becomes an issue, the roads will simply be closed. Although traditional sedans are a conspicuous minority on such roads today, no one wants to have to rescue motorists who are stranded in them, and if the roads are closed for some vehicles, they’re closed for everything.

Clearance is likely to be an issue only when trying to get out of an unplowed driveway or parking lot. FWIW, my Subaru Outback with good snow tires will push through (high mountain) snow up to the middle of the bumper when going up the 20 yards or so of my uphill driveway.

Camry will do just fine. Dedicated snow tires IF you live in snow country. Otherwise, good all season tires with the little snowflake symbol will be all you need.

I'm far from an off roader but I bought my first 4wd suburban in 1984 and have had at least one 4wd/awd since. Currently have a Wrangle jk, a Sienna awd and my Ridgeline. For just driving in 8" of snow or less the RL is hard to beat. It just goes. I've never had it in more than that as southern Indiana winters are typically mild. I've seen 2 ft at a time but that is highly unusual. this past winter I doubt we got 6" cumulative. I haven't had the Jeep long enough to play in much snow. Our Acura TSX fwd w Michelin all season is reliable if you drive like you've got some sense. RWD Chevy van is a carnival ride in the snow w/out wt over rear wheels.

I have investigated HUNDREDS of accidents/slide offs in the Winter , generally cars with all season tires.

Get REAL , dedicated, snow tires if you can. There is no comparison between a set of blizaaks and all seasons, NONE.

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:
I have investigated HUNDREDS of accidents/slide offs in the Winter , generally cars with all season tires.

Get REAL , dedicated, snow tires if you can. There is no comparison between a set of blizaaks and all seasons, NONE.

^^^
Words to live by right there.

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:
Get REAL, dedicated, snow tires if you can.

I have driven in serious snow with “all season” tires; I got 35 miles from home and turned around. Never again.
They’re an extra expense, and there’s that whole changing over in the spring thing, but never again.

thanks guys. camry v6 awd it is then. i can get an extra set of rims with snow tires.

I suggest Top Secret or higher, just to be sure.

I agree with captain 127 about vehicles like the Audi (and Subaru) being much better in rough winter weather conditions than a Jeep.

I also concur with FN in MT about all-weather tires. For the life of me I have never understood their value as a compromise or anything else. Get good summer tires plus good dedicated winter tires on another set of rims period. Remember it's not just snow, but black ice that you need to be prepared to deal with.

This based on growing up in upstate NY where, as an aside, high school drivers ed in the '60s included time on a frozen lake with rear wheel drive cars. Owned many vehicles and tires over the years and have lived in numerous "cold weather" states.

The Subaru with good winter tires was one that never got stuck when other 4WD and 4x4s of all descriptions were.

AWD is actually better for moderate slip conditions like rain or snow-covered roads. It is always on, and automatically provides power to all four tires. It works just fine even on dry pavement.

4WD, like Jeeps, is superior for all-out slippery surfaces like packed snow or serious off-roading. However, it can't be used at all on moderate slip, like roads that are rain-slicked or lightly dusted with snow.

For winter drivers who pretty much stay on paved surfaces like highways and resort roads, AWD is generally a better choice. 4WD is for your serious off-roader.

A great friend lives in Denver,
He has a great a.w.d. car,

He says that in the last ten years,
He has turned around 6 times,

Because of clearance issues on the pavement. About 15% of the time.

The best tool you have
During problematic road conditions, is between your ears.

It’s all about the tires on plowed roads. If living in CA away from snow, dedicated snow tires are impractical for the handful of trips to a ski resort.

Some better, traction friendly, ‘all seasons’ are a way to split the baby. Case in point, the Michelin Defenders LTX for a truck do well in snow for what they are.

ages ago their used to be mountain passes that required chains , when the weather got way horrible.

do they still do that?

they were turning people back , if they did not have chains.

or do they make exceptions for a.w.d. vehicles ?

On cars, I have Conti ExtremeContact DWS. Plan to do the same for this new car.

If this is not sufficient for ski areas, I'll plan to get a set of wheels for snow. For safety, I can justify the cost.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
do they still do that?

In Colorado there are different requirements for commercial and passenger vehicles.

Chains are very often required for commercial vehicles, and it’s announced on big variable message boards. I don’t know if a vehicle will be stopped if it’s running without chains when required, but if it gets stuck on the highway and doesn’t have them on: big fine.

A few years ago the state instituted a “traction law” that applies to passenger vehicles. When the law is in effect the requirements are somewhat complicated, but in short, if someone gets stuck on the highway and doesn’t meet the requirements, they’re subject to ticketing and a hefty fine. The requirements specify certain types of tires and their condition (i.e., tread depth) or chains or 4WD/AWD. I’ve been living in the mountains for 25+ years and never saw a “chains only” requirement for passenger vehicles, but the traction law gets lots of emphasis these days.

Again, though, when things get really bad, they just close the roads until they can be cleared.