Cross Wind Problem

What tires are on the car? If it's the OEM tires, I wouldn't be surprised.

 

It depends on whether you want a smaller car or a bigger car. That is the way I see it. I had a 2011 Prius that I had for 3 years and put 48,000 miles on it. It was a fantastic reliable car that did more than it was supposed to MPG wise. I just wanted a bigger, comfortable car and I bought a 2014 Avalon Hybrid XLE Touring. No regrets at all. It was well worth it to me but it is just what you are happy with. A smaller car will not handle like a bigger car.

 

is it winter in new york already?

 

Pete knows it won't be long, just like me in a Chicago suburb.

 

i'm already dreaming of florida...

 

Especially after last winter, so am I. Chicago sucks in the winter. In Boston, not so great either in winter. The older I get the worse it gets.

 

exactly.

 

Have you ever owned a 3100 pound car before your Prius that did not experience this problem as much? What make/model vehicle have you owned that was more stable in lateral winds?

If it means more to have a potentially heavier, lower-mileage car that is more stable in high winds, then you should replace your Prius.

 

I had been driving Prius family of vehicles since 2005 on Long Island and really I can complaint on driving such an small and light vehicle.
It survived high gusty winds and flooded areas like a champ. Cornering at higher speeds is another subject on the placebo effect....

 

These braces from PriusChat member Rude person's will help with crosswind stability by helping to stiffen the Prius against torsional twisting and wandering:

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=161411328548&alt=web

Super easy to install, about 30 minutes for both braces if you take your time.

SCH-I535

 

Or you can load up with several 50 pds of sand bags in the back for those extra windy days! That should help out with stability.

 

A dead body works too.

SCH-I535

 

But tends to smell after the first 500 miles.

 

We get worse winters, worse snow, and worse winds. The Prius is fine. It is a tall vehicle for such a car and so the winds do blow upon it. As long as your hands are on the wheel and not on the cheeseburger and cellphone steering with your knee, I can't imagine this being a problem.

 

I use the PiP in my neck of the woods with 120 inches of snow every year and as much as 175 with the PiP. I use snow tires (the very same ones I used on my Gen II Prius) and never been stuck or had uncontrolled slides. Its about 300lbs heavier than my Gen II but I've averaged 20 mpg more during the winter, and over double the MPG lifetime.

If you were to put those sway bars on as others have suggested, it'll become more stable, balanced, and a little heavier in the areas I believe you are looking for.

iPad ? HD

 

Don't sweat it Pete- I did just fine with my 2012 PIP on my 56mi daily commute via the LIE last winter (and during tie 2012/13 winter too).
Don't be cheap- put real winter tires (I used the Michelin X-Ice) and you'll be fine with the PIP.

 

Haven't had problems with crosswinds, but a few months ago I did get an extra 1/2 mile of ev range boost from a 20 knot tailwind during a windstorm.

 

And a TARDIS...?

(Sorry. But somebody had to...)

 

No matter how light the vehicle, they don't REALLY get blown around much except with winds SO strong that you shouldn't be on the road in the first place.

Most of the movement is just driver perception that causes over correction which is what really makes it move sideways.