I noticed that a lot of Prius C drivers are on the westcoast/cali. does anyone have experience with it in the midwest/the crazy midwest winters? someone told me that hybrids don't do so well in the snow... I wasn't sure if that was a myth. thanks!
Either the person who told you was clueless or was intentionally trying to mislead, because I certainly haven't had any trouble over the past 12 winters here in Minnesota... .
Just make sure you have good winter tires. Every car should have them equipped in the winter if temps stay below 40deg regularly.
We even get snow in Cali. I took a pic because I couldn't move it. Bald tires, ice and the 2004/2005 Prius traction control is a recipe for disaster.
Totally true. With bald tires, a hybrid just sucks in the snow! With snow tires, they do really well. Have been driving Prius since 2005 in Winter conditions of all kind to get to ski areas and work... have had no problem with our Prius. Traction control and DSC work when you need them to work. There are so many myths out there... good that you asked for real world experience with these cars.
Wow! That was strange! When I started to write my comments on this thread, there were no replies yet. When I posted there were already several, like an avalanche of 6 posts in 11 minutes. F8L even had a post about Bald tires, and I had made a comment about bald tires in mine. Almost looks planned, too. A convergence of hybrid thoughts.
I have driven a 2009 Prius for three years now (trading it in for a Prius C when my car arrives) and I have never had a problem in the snow. I live on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario, famous for lake effect snowstorms and heavy snow in winter (except this winter). I have been pleased with driving it in the winter in all kinds of conditions and have not had a problem. Obviously bald tires are a bad idea, not just in winter.
I AM SO GLAD that you posted. I am from the Rochester area (as well?) and everyone keeps telling me "Do not get a prius anything, they are terrible in the snow!" But they are not prius owners. And now that you say they are wrong, I will be soon! Thanks again.
I was also concerned about winter driving in Pa, however, I was reassured by posts on the following thread. Prius C in the snow | PriusChat
Hi all, well this is my first post and I have a three day old C, the only thing I had been warned about winter driving and being stuck in snow was not to rock from reverse to drive. Any truth to this?
Whoever told you they are bad in the snow is obviously a terrible driver... I have had and XB and my Prius both up and down the CO mountain passes so many times without ever having a problem. As soon as the snow falls I am in my car driving to snowboard spots, I made 13 trips from IA to MN last year alone to snowboard. I also work at a ski area and have to be at work snow or shine - I have never missed a shift...
I'm planning on getting a set of snow tires, though FWIW all-season 175 wide tires will work fine as they'll saw through the snow like a cheese slicer in Velveeta. Narrow tires rock in snow; just look at WRC cars!
I live in Rochester, and just bought my third Prius. Snow tires are a must, since the traction control and the LRR summer tires will conspire to cut power to the spinning wheels, particularly when confronting hills down in the Finger Lakes. Good snows at all four wheels will put many 4 wheel drivers to shame.
thanks, all for the prius-in-the-snow pics. all I've read about prii in the winter suggests most of the problems and concern arises from folks trying to avoid buying good snow tires. Since we have winter anywhere from 3-5 months out of the year in VT, getting good snow tires is (to me) a given. The reports of good experiences w/prii and snow tires are good to hear.
