My '06 Pimpin the Snow Chains

I forgot to ask:

You are not a Goth, are you?

C

 

Would chains have got you out, assuming they were not already on, lowspeed?

C

 

Well there's this problem that once the wheels spins out to zero speed (slowly but surely) it will no longer have any power.... So if i floor it nothing happens...

The only way to retry is to shut the car and turn it back on ... then if it slips again .... it will do the same untill it will not longer even try to spin the wheels.

Quite scary.

I did not have snow tires nor chains...


How i got out:

In the mud i reversed back to a flatter road and basiclly made sure i get to the incline in a pretty fast speed that the car will continue ......

In the snow... again i reversed and went my opposite way

 

I don't know if they'd do much good in mud, but on ice, they're wonderful for that extra traction needed to control movement. On ice, the chains are basically breaking through the top layer of ice where they hit, and act similarly to gears, greatly reducing slippage. Well packed snow responds similarly to ice for chains, and as such you have the same effect.

Now if you're already stuck on ice without chains currently on, you've got the problem of being able to put the chains on. If you can manage this, then you're ok. It's not too difficult with the cable chains, but I don't know if full chains could make it or not. There are other methods I've heard to make it easier in those situations, such as carrying cat litter in the trunk for extra weight and if you're stuck on ice, pour some around the wheels to provide a better surface for traction. I always put the chains on early if there's a concern (or road restriction) and carry a shovel for getting through/out of any big snowpiles, and that's been sufficient for me so far.

 

Actually putting weight on the back will reduce traction cause it's front wheels... on rear wheel drive that would help.

 

My concern is that backing out is not always an option.

Lowspeed, I meant could you have gone forwards if you had chains available to put on? I'd think if the wheel would revolve enough for the chain to get a bite, you'd be OK.

I HATE cats, but jtullos' idea of carrying cat litter is a great lightweight solution for getting some traction on ice - even if you have to jack up to get some under the wheels. I don't know how it compares wth sand for traction. (I doubt either would work on mud or gravel).

C

 

1st how could you hate cats... they are so cute.

2nd I think the chain would have helped, but who knows.

also it was an 04 prius. I wonder if an 06 will do the same.

 

Gaaaaaaaa!

Mind if I ask why?

Sand should work similarly, or other substances. Or if you just need the extra traction without the weight, bring a decently sized piece of cardboard along and slip it under the tire.

 

Ah, so!

Someone posted a link to this co for chains:
http://www.scc-chain.com/Traction%20Pages/...rod_choice.html they have a link to regulations; you were in a CA Chain Control Area.

**********************************

JCWhitney.com carries the Z-chain the above co. makes; the standard 185-65-R15 takes their Code 4 size. (Search for Shur Grip; $69.00). NOTE: I have no personal experience of this product.

**********************************


As you were high centered, I doubt if chains could have helped you, not without a shovel, anyway.

Good question about '06: I don't see why it would be different.

I'm highly allergic to cats. It's not their fault. A cat litter in the back of my Prius is not what I desire.

C

 

Actually, the cat litter shouldn't trigger any allergic reactions, it's just clay. Unless you're thinking about used cat litter, which I'd certainly not want to carry in my Prius. :blink: Though if your allergy isn't too bad, you should be able to tolerate short-hairs just fine. I had a friend in college who had cat allergies but she had a cat (shorthair I think), her roommate had a cat (definitely long-hair). She was also fine around my cat. It's just a matter of keeping everything cleaned up, which I personally do anyway, just because I don't want everything shaded like my cat's fur. She's a shorthair, but she sheds like a maniac.

 

Well u need at least a 30-45 degree incline and snow/ice/slush....

basically any condition that would make the wheels slip and not go forward enough

 

Backing up doesn't always work, as the standard Traction control works in R as well.

I tried this out in an empty truck stop lot last winter, before I put on my winter tires. If you're on ice, put it in R, and floor it, the Trac will engage and the car will barely move.

I took my Prius out to my hobby farm last winter, after a blizzard and with the snow tires on. I purposely got it stuck to see how easy it would be to rock, and it will NOT rock, at least not enough to make any difference.

I had a tug strap hooked up to one of the shipping tie-down eyes at the rear, and a neighbor gently pulled me out of the snow drift. In the +2004 Prius, once you're stuck, you are STUCK.

 

Well i was reversing from an incline.... so no problem there.

 

MY CONCLUSIONS from a useful thread (thanks all), and from my own 4x4 off-road experience:


Carry an adequate tow strap: the other guy can't be counted on to have one; (and know how to install the front tow accessory throught that mysterious plug in the front bumper).

Chains - (the cable type referenced above are probably sufficient for all but the worst conditions) & seem worth carrying if you live in a climate with snow, or are inclined to push the envelope on dirt roads. ESPECIALLY if you wear summer tires year round. (I have no experience with cable sysems.)

For snow & dirt, carry a small square shovel with a straight profle - many have a curved neck that makes them almost useless, especially with the low Prius clearance. You can get a handy army surplus one (www.sportsmansguide.com or http://www.armysurpluswarehouse.com/catego...m?catagory=26): they come and go there. (You have to get down and dirty to use these if high centered - short handle).

On dirt roads look out for even slight ruts, which will high center you: if it's muddy you will slide into them. (I antcipate damage to the air dams newly added to the front underside of the '06 model - and other things.) Cables might not prevent this type of lateral slide - don't know.

Something to provide traction (and kneel or lie on - changing wheels, etc) is not a bad idea. A floor mat is ideal. My observation is that rug or cardboard are iffy on slick surfaces: spin the wheel, and the material is just kicked out from under, or ground into the mud. With the Prius, when you just need a little traction to get rolling, they will probably work with _gentle_ throttle. A bag of sand or cat litter (I have no experienc with litter) is best for ice and packed snow.

For mud or a soft shoulder problem, a jack board is invaluable - a square foot of 3/4" plywood or equivalent (rectangular is more versatile) takes up almost no storage room, and keeps the jack from sinking. If you are mired in mud it might also provide enough wheel support along with mats to ease out. In this case you really need two, one to support the jack, so you can place the other perfectly horizontal under the wheel. Cover it with a mat, (wood gets slippery) and after lowering the jack put the second board against the first under the mat to extend the support. If rutted, you have to jack to get something under the wheels, then fill the rut with whatever comes to hand - covering with mats may give you a more even surface than (say) tree limbs.

Dont forget work gloves - to keep your hands clean and warmer, and an old windproof shell & cap (at least). I live in the desert, and in addition to other standard emergency supplies not listed here, every vehicle has a 1 gal fruit juice bottle of water. Enough for one person all day, or for several for a few hours).

If the going gets tough and is getting worse, and you don't have chains. don't be a marine: turn around (before it's too late: turning around is a good way to get stuck if you don't have a good spot). I had to winch myself out of this mistake, once, & it wasn't easy).

The only thing I don't have good a suggestion for is steep loose gravel/dirt hills, where the gravel can turn into marbles. Others have been able to back down. If you can't back for some reason (too close to ditch?), my suggestion would be to try shoveling down to the packed base to pull out enough to back down. I have a very steep, narrow, bumpy gravel driveway, so I'm always thinking about this problem. If it were not bumpy, I'd just take a run at it, and inertia would carry me over the bad spots. So far, the skid light flickers a lot, but no traction loss.

I hate the "toy" spare wheel - not reassuring. If I had a front wheel flat in adverse conditions, I'd put a real tire on the front drive wheel, and the toy one on the rear.

Most of this equipment is light and takes little room, and will fit in or under the rear storage bin. An old blanket will keep it from rattling around and has other uses (insulation, protect upholstery from loaded items, drape over seat if covered with crud after an extraction).

The Prius was not desiged for extreme (or even moderately difficult) conditions. I love to explore, which may get me in trouble, and the Prius' limited terrain capability is one of it's few downsides.


Any other ideas/additions?

Good luck, and stay out of trouble. The equipment should be insurance you hope you will never need, not something you rely on to get "there".

C

 

I have lived in the San Bernardino NF for 12 years and have never heard of the snow chain requirement either. There are times when we are under chain control...at those times, yes you must have chains and probably have them installed (depending on conditions).

 

hi!

for slippery/icey roads i use a norwegian invention named autosock
the friction is amazing,,, (try go out side on ice with only whoolsocks on )

http://www.autosock.com/

this is fasterand easier to put on compared to chains , there is no vibration or or simmilar.

in some cases chains are better , but overall i prefer theese. stored in my prius trunk .-)

cheers
Andreas

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(andreaswin @ Dec 15 2006, 03:57 PM) [snapback]362923[/snapback]</div>

Andreas

Excellent suggestion and certainly safer than a tire chain. I would imagine if the AutoSoc failed, it wouldn't do any damage to the vehicle. Whereas if a tire chain fails, it usually does a fair bit of vehicle damage.

I clicked on "where to buy" and selected "North America" but the list isn't populated yet. Looking forward to having a North American distributer.

I'm presently quite happy with my studded Goodyear Nordic winter tires. This is the same as the Goodyear Ultra Grip 500 available in your country.

jay