RR

Last night we had ice rain, rain pellets and snow fall in my part of the country.
Today on my way to work I saw a new Cayenne S at an intersection I was approaching in a residential area.

The going was slow, so the traffic ahead of me had let the Cayenne into our traffic stream, just after an Toyota 4Runner.
I was anticipating the Cayenne to just move out into traffice but I was very surprised to see the Cayenne have incredible amounts of wheel spin, alternating with front to back wheel spin and then back to front before it finally got on its way...where as the 4 Runner had no problem leaving the same spot a few seconds earlier.

Once the Cayenne was in our traffic stream, he was 3 cars ahead of me, and at the next left turn it fish-tailed pretty wildly, exactly like the 2 Chevy vans in front of me (which are both 2 wheel drive vehicles)

Now, I understand that the Cayenne is clearly more car like than truck like, but I was surprised with its inability to reliably handle these snow conditions - and I have been a proponent of the Cayenne.

I am curious if anyone out there who has a Cayenne has driven it in these snow conditions and have had encountered similar things.

I have Yukon Denali and I had no problems at all today.

Stirs

It is likely the tires. . .the Cayennes ship with high performance tires unless you order all seasons (no charge option). No vehicle with performace tires performs well in those conditions.

PogueMoHone

Don't discount the driver, seems like maybe he/she was lead footed. Sometimes less is more.

Scott & Renee in VA

I pick up my Turbo today on 20" wheels, near Boston where its supposed to be abit icy. I'm going to be driving VERY gently. Wish it came with the winter wheels at this point! Fortunately it should clear up by the time I drive the 500 miles home from Boston to Virginia on Sunday.

With decent tires that S wouldn't have spun.

Also 4Runner's dont have fulltime 4WD, so that 4runner might have even been in 2WD mode.

RR

Not sure what kind of tires were on it.

Difference Engine

Our demo arrived with 18" Summer tires. On snow and ice, they don't work at all. Nowthat we've put winter tires on it, it's like driving on pavement.

dawktah

Diamaris french for "into the ditch!" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Will be ordering winter tires in September.

sportscarfanatic

But it's the tires. Also putting the transmission in to low range helps. Be careful you can not pass 60 mph with that turned on.

The 20' summer tires are terrible for ice and snow which is what we have for this weekend in Toronto. The dealer has a demo with 18' all seasons and that one has no problems.

Another suggestion is to be very slow with the gas pedal. Because of the huge power the tires lose grip immediately.

But it's still fun! <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />

Scott & Renee in VA

I drove today in wet,slightly sleety, weather with the 20" wheels and Diamaras and it was just fine. I wouldn't want to venture anywhere if there was ANY accumulation on the road with summer tires.

denhat

"Also 4Runner's dont have fulltime 4WD, so that 4runner might have even been in 2WD mode."

I'm not sure about other years but an 03/V8 4Runner has fulltime 4WD.

Scott & Renee in VA

Sorry you may be right about the new generation of 4Runners. Ours is a 2001 and does not have fulltime 4WD. ps Anyone wanna buy an 01 4Runner Limited with a 100,000 mile/2007 warranty? (with 21,000 miles on it)

vinrey

Picked mine up from the dealer yesterday and went for a 68 mile joy ride in freezing rain with parts of icy roads without problems. It's a Cayenne S with 18 inch all season tires.

I too was one of the skeptics about Porsche making an SUV but now that it's here and I need an SUV might as well stay loyal to the brand. I test drove it of course prior to purchasing and it suit my needs and performed to expectations.

Deanger

It amazes me just how many people (this driver you saw included, or so it seems) think they can use any tires on their 4wd or awd car.

The tires the ship on most Cayennes might as well be slicks when it comes to icy roads.

FWIW -- My friends who have Cayennes or know Cayenne owners all seem pleased so far... so far.