Snow storm report in new england (CT)

You're so funny ... you never miss a chance to plug your Toyo Observes (what's this, the 4th thread so far?). Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Seriously, thanks for your reports on the Toyo Observe G-02 Plus. They sound great. I think I'll get a set if I ever get winter tires.

 

Report from Eastern NY

I left mine at home. 7" snow at 4 PM and still going.

 

I'm sure in weather like that its easier to just go to the transporter room and beam directly where you're going rather than try to drive in those conditions!!!

 

Oh man, I'm sorry. I really should have stuck a couple of smilies in there. I had 0 problems with your enthusiasm for the Toyo Observes. In fact, I loved it. Thought it was funny. And a little familiar ... you should see how many times I've repeatedly posted about modifications I've liked a lot. And most importantly, your reports about the Observes are useful (I had never heard of the Observes before you wrote about them, so thanks again for your reports). Sounds like this weekend's n'oreaster shouldn't be a problem for the Observes. Keep us posted.

 

As far as the Toyo Observe winter tires, I have Toyo Open Country G-02 on my FJ. They really are excellent all around winter tires

Unlike the Bridgestone Blizzak tires, the Toyo special winter compound is the entire tread depth. On polished ice, studs still have the advantage

 

Snow report in NY

I think my stock Prius is very good in the snow as well. Like any car, one has to take it easy and leave extra room between yourself and anything else. the VSC/ant-lock worked a lot and kept me going in the general direction I wanted to go. Go Prius!

 

It's been hailing all night here in New York City. Roads are very slippery. Won't be driving anywhere today to do Christmas shopping.

 

Snow Report in Mass.

Well, it just started lightly snowing around 4 AM, then must have become heavier at some point because now there's about 2-3 inches on my car. 16F now, so if it's gonna change to rain it's gonna be a while. All the head honchos had a meeting yesterday to try to avoid the fiasco that happened Thursday. Took one of my bosses 7 hours to get home to Framingham from Wakefield that day even though she left at noon.

 

weather happens elsewhere, too

Have you ever noticed that when bad weather hits the east coast the media goes into hysteria mode? No difference here on PC. Guess what - there is weather west of the Hudson River. We have bad driving conditions, too. In Wisconsin we even get ice & snow & sleet & freezing rain & cold - BUT we deal with it. It's not the end of the world. If the roads are bad, stay home. (Disclaimer - I grew up east of the Hudson, but have learned there is a whole big country out here. We are not just fly-over space. )

 

Woke up this morning here in Yonkers to snow/freezing rain over a layer of ice, and could not make it up the fairly steep and large hill/driveway out of my apartment complex! Prius just slipped and slipped and slipped some more. Then, in my frustration, while backing down the hill/driveway and into the garage, I failed to notice that the garage door was coming back down, and I snapped off my whip antenna!

Arrrrrrgggghhhhhh!

2008 Touring Prius
OEM Tires.

Gotta get some snows! (and a new antenna housing...)

Dave

 

Media hype

Hey Judy,

You're absolutely correct about media hysteria--although today's storm is a real doozy like the ones I remember from before global climate change really took effect--or from when I lived in up-country Maine and New Hampshire.

The media love to get pictures of their young airhead commentators standing out in snowfall--or in blowing tropical-storm winds, for that matter.

It's funny, when I lived in Washington, DC, back in the late 1960s, I used to laugh at the hysteria that errupted when they got 3 inches of snow. Now, that same hysteria has reached New England.

At least you in the Upper Midwest still have some perspective on winter. If this storm doesn't turn to sleet, I'll get out my cross-country skiis for the first time this season, and leave the Prius in the driveway until the snow stops.

--Joe

 

Skis are the best way to get around. I just got 7 inches of snow off the car. The top layer is all ice pellets, which is what's coming down now.

As Judy says if people would just stay home and let the crews do their job there wouldn't be all the accidents there are. BUT they are all clogging up Route 1 South on their way to the Patriots game. The ones that left early are tailgating in the snow with tents. Temp is up to 31F. And gee, you gotta get the Christmas shopping done of course.

 

On what sort of street and road conditions have you driven? And where did you buy the Toyo Observe tires? I am not familiar with any of the aftermaret tires for Prius. I have a 2007 Prius with original tires, and 11000 miles on the odometer. I had trouble getting out of my slightly inclined driveway with only a thin covering of snow. Before giving up on the Prius as being only a summer car, I want to consider putting "winter" tires on it.

 

New Paltz, NY

Went out this morning. The combo of freezing rain, snow, and temperature had covered the ground with 2 inches of very granular stuff that resembled in almost every characteristic -- sand. The town snow plows where just getting started. Getting out of the driveway (backing out, level) was just like being on a beach -- I could drive several feet, get stuck pull forward, back up again, etc. until I reached the street.

The streets were the aforementioned beach, snow pack, and some clear areas and a few icy spots. I tried putting the Zhang Heng (Michelin HydroEdge All-Season tires 42/40) into a skid unsuccessfully. I did hit an icy patch on a corner and I felt the car start a skid, heard the beep-beep of VSC kicking in and pulled right through the corner. Handling on the snow pack was fine. Going though the sandlike stuff was the same story -- stop and go.

The true test was the short, steep hill coming back home, less than a hundred feet long, but brobably an 8 % grade (guessing). It was plowed on one side but not the other. Came to a dead halt on the unplowed side, but backed up, took a good 20 mph run at it and make it.

Overall, the HydroEdges felt pretty good on snow back. Braking was predictable. The Prius handled itself well. I would take it out in the snow more regularly if I had real snow tires.

Don't ask what my MPG was. R&D miles should not count in your lifetime average.