front wheel drive - wheels spin

They have the tendency to pull from side to side. L then R. I don't have snow tires so this is with the all season tires from the factory. The snow conditions were adverse enough that only one time I had difficulty moving.( adverse enough that I was the only car on the road except the snow plows) That condition only lasted about four hours. The traction control does all the work for you.

 

The Prius drives one front wheel at a time, powering the one with the least resistance to movement. This part is the same as any car other than a 4 wheel drive.

Traction control will apply brakes to a spinning wheel AND can reduce engine power to slow the spin. At that point the other front wheel become the one with the least resistance to movement causing the differential gearing to transfer power to it. As a result, a sensation of side to side power shifting is accurate.

With that said, snow/ice tires combined with cautious driving is still the best mediator when driving on slippery snow and ice. Personally I have driven standard tires in similar conditions in Oklahoma with no problems. I did not try to be 4 wheel drive high clearance truck. I stayed on plowed roads and just drove to my destination slowly.

Finally there is a way to turn off traction control but it's a series of actions documented elsewhere on the forum. However you would have to do it each time you used the car. I have not tried it.

 

It drives the one with the most resistance to movement. That is what limits spinning.

 

Only because it increases braking on the the wheel with the least resistance which is spinning at the time. That action can change when both wheels are on slippery surfaces.

 

Until you try to stop. Friction is still your friend.

 

The TCS on our car automatically switches back on every time the car is turned off. The next time the car starts, TCS is back up and running. I believe the reason for this is for manufacturers to protect themselves. TCS is basically safety equipment. If I turned TCS off and got into a wreck, I would under no circumstances mention to anyone that I had turned it off.

 

In the Prius it is designed to protect the motors from over spinning and causing damage.

 

I hear squeaking sound after changing front break pads and rotors and also all four tyres. Dealer jacked up the car and while running showed me that only one tyre is turning. Recommends replacing differential assembly at $6500!!! Any thoughts??

 

you probably just need to look over your brake work.

 

Jack up the front end and try turning the wheels with the car in neutral. The wheel that won’t spin in neutral has a sticking caliper, bad brake hose, put together wrong, or something of that nature.