Waw, if we do that in Germany, where we also get sometimes that snow, and make an accident, the insurance wouldn't pay! Plus a big fine... Jan
Wow not here, I've seen some not very smart individuals driving on racing slicks in the winter. It's absolutely nuts.
Jetflash1000 has had his Prius since new and all his demo's are of the stock car. He a regular uploader to Utube but reports on air products as well as his Prius.
Is the difference that you run summer and winter tires rather than all season tires? I would imagine in the US if you're driving with summer tires in a snow storm and you cause an accident you do risk losing a lawsuit. I believe our liability insurance would still be on the hook for at least the state minimum (or whatever the policy covers) because they are agreeing to cover how dumb you are. Afterwards you might have a difficult time keeping your insurance though. In Colorado they regularly restrict which kind of tires can be used on the interstate and will require passenger vehicles to have chains on. Failure to follow these advisories will result in a fine, assuming they catch you.
It's the law here in Quebec (Canada). From December 15th to March 15th, snow tires are mandatory. Since the legislation was passed 3 years ago, there has been a significant decrease in the total number of accidents during winter in the province. Not having winter tires could mean no insurance coverage and a police fine in an accident. When attempting to brake, there are no difference between AWD and FWD, all that to say that some idiots are not thinking things through sometimes... The winter tires Michelin X-Ice Xi3 on my Prius are wonderful to ride in the snow. Since I bought my car this last November, I had it equipped with winter tires right out from the dealer. My experience driving with the Prius is only with winter tires, I can't wait to try out the low rolling resistance stock tires the next spring!
What kind of gas mileage are you getting with those snow tires? I've been thinking of fitting some snow tires myself to extend the times I drive the Prius a bit more but the whole point is to save money so I'm not sure if the math works out. Cost of tires and gas for a few more days of driving compared to what it costs me to run my Jeep those days. Speaking of the Jeep, you're not quite right about AWD and FWD stopping the same. It probably is right for many of the awd vehicles you can buy today, actually the awd is probably worse based on the extra drivetrain weight. But in my 2005 Jeep I got no abs or anything else. When I'm in 4x4 I can't lock up both tires on the rear axle as easily because of the physical connection to the front axle. So, theoretically, my stopping is improved. But frankly the increased control I get from powering the front tires is the most helpful bit.
Alternating between Michelin X-Ice2 in 195/65R15, and the OEM Michelin Pilot HX mxm4 in 215/45R17, I see little or no difference. The X-Ice have Green-X label fwiw. The Pilots also have the Green-X label, maybe a special OEM configuration: replacement Pilot's don't have the label.
The big mileage drop in winter is due mostly to the colder weather. I have studded snow ties, and can still get 60mpg segments. I think that is due to the slower speeds necessary when on snow covered roads. it was 16F here today, and I had one 60mpg, 8mile segment and a 58mpg, 6 mile, both at 30-35mph. Freeway speeds, of course, kill those good mileages.
I practice the first option, but all season tires are also allowed, provided they hav a "snow and ice" label. Living near beautiful Black Forest, I need winter tires in winter. Jan
When I bought my Prius at a New England dealership, I just assumed it was configured with all-season tires, even though It was a 4 Touring. I probably would not have made that assumption if I was buying a Porsche, but wouldn't it be OK to make that assumption on most all family cars sold here? This thread got me wondering If I actually had summer tires-- my wheels sure do look sporty -- but sure enough I got the all-season spect that I assumed would hold true. Is it even possible to buy a new Prius without all season tires? If so, does that hold true in all areas of the country?
I had a photo of my stock tire on the iPad, and it confirmed it has a M & S rating. Not sure if that would be good enough for Quebec since it does not have a "Snowflake". That is something I need to check out.
Practically all new cars sold in the US come equipped with all season tires. Some cars will come summer tires and they will be specified in the brochure. Local ski mountains allow M+S unless the roads are not ploughed (e.g. snowing so heavily that the ploughs cannot keep up) then you're required to have winter tires (snowflake symbol) and chains or 4WD. Summer tires are not allowed between Oct 1 and Mar 31 for vehicles travelling over mountain passes (yes. That means M+S all seasons are actually allowed). That might be ok on a sunny "warm" day but temps are cold enough that winter tires still have a better grip on sunny, dry days. Winter tires are recommended but they're not required.
No, It needs to have the snowflake on top of a mountain logo to be considered snow tires here in Canada.
In Germany you can theoretically drive with whatever you want *BUT* you have to have by law "the appropriate equipment to drive safely on the road". Which means if you have an accident, and even if you are not liable, the insurance will not pay in full, and you will get fined by the police for not having "the appropriate equipment". Essentially, unless you want to risk big time and get stuck (and if you do and block traffic, you are fined as well), everybody changes from summer to winter tires regularly. Not to mention that I read that winter tires under 7C // 45F tend to offer better braking performance (braking distance) than summer tires. I have Dunlop SP Winter Sport on alloy wheels, and the only hit I can really notice is due to either speed or temperature, but I did manage for example yesterday at 0C // 32F, a good 3.5L/100km // 67 mpg in suburban traffic, and the Prius merrily enters EV mode even at 80-100km/h // 50-65mph, if battery charge allows it. The automatic grill shutters in the front bumper in my opinion do the main difference, compared to Gen3. And you can drive in whatever mode you want, ECO for the AC is always available. Not possible on Gen3. In Italy, compulsory chains or winter tires in specific periods (commonly Nov-Apr) are now the norm on most mountain roads and highways, if not entire regions. I am not aware of a nation-wide rule. In Austria is similar like in Germany.
The film from YouTube "jetlash 1000". If you follow his videos it's stock tires. No snow tires. Check them out on YouTube iPhone ?
