Traction Control.. 2006/07 models

We just got a decent storm in Utah this weekend. I have an 06 and saw that nice blinking trac light a few times. Each time the wheels did slip a little, but it wasn't a total cut-off of power, it acted more like it was pulsing power to the wheels. Almost like ABS in reverse. Even on ice the Prius was able to get going without much trouble.

It should be noted that I have X-Ice tires on there right now, and those do help with traction. It's better not to lose it than to use tricks in the engine to get it back.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ttabbal @ Dec 18 2006, 10:43 AM) [snapback]363814[/snapback]</div>

I also live in SLC and drove around in the storm ttabbal mentioned. My 06 acted the same. I can say that I do love the TCS. When coming to a stop on ice, the Prius stays going straight forward rather than sliding off the road. It also helps me stop rather than keep sliding through the intersection.

I don't think I could ever have another car without TCS.

 

Well, if my '06 has the "modified" traction control, I can only imagine how terribly and additionally intrusive the "original" version must be!

I really wish the car had a slip-limiting differential and a rev-limiter instead. I dislike the traction control immensely, but don't drive in snow so can't call upon that experience.

It totally sucks when the car suddenly backs off the power; unless it also has eyes that can tell it if I'm about to be T-boned or not, I'd just assume that it kept its opinions to itself and allow me to drive the car.

I'm a big girl. I bought it, and I'll fix it if I break it, thank you very much!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Dec 21 2006, 05:36 PM) [snapback]365405[/snapback]</div>

My opinion exactly.

 

first time it happened to me when driving the 2k4 I honesty thought something in the drive train broke. I've never had a vehicle that dropped that dead without something breaking. Still don't like the way the computer cuts the MG2 output. I'd loved to have seen my eyes when it happened.

 

From what you folks have described, maybe I should take a giant hit and trade for an 07. My 04 - especially with "all season" tires - was helpless on ice. Especially if one side was on ice and the other side was on bare pavement

With my new studded Goodyear Nordic tires, I no longer have any problems with traction in winter. However on warm dry pavement the tires moan/howl loud enough to drive you crazy.

 

Hi All,

Having just traded in my 2000 Ford Explorer (4wd) for a 2007 Prius (with Traction Control) I was more than a little concerned when a recent blizzard hit on December 20th. I have to say I was more than pleasantly surprized. My traction, both accelerating and braking, were excellent. It took the city three days to plow out my street (over 2 feet of snow in 24 hours), but I was able to get in and out by following the tracks made by some 4wd trucks. It is a strange feeling when the traction light comes on -- you can't 'spin' the tires by hitting the gas -- but I never lost traction. In many ways it handled better in the snow than my Explorer did.

 

Yesterday I drove down a fairly steep dirt road to look at some trees. I hesitated at first due to previous experience with the traction control on wet pavement, but drove down anyway because the dirt was neither loose nor wet. While looking at the trees it rained very lightly for a few seconds. On the way back up my 2004 stalled about 1/3 up the road. I backed farther down, accelerated, and now it stalled half way up. I backed as far possible, accelerated and the wheels started slipping half way up, but I had enough momentum to reach the top, with the front tires alternating between slipping-stopping-grabing. Leared my lesson well.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rob Hoch @ Dec 23 2006, 01:22 PM) [snapback]366044[/snapback]</div>

Boy, was I glad to read your post! Living here in the Northeast and reading many posts by Prius owners who were disappointed in their cars winter performance , I am super apprehensive. We have seen a few snowflakes here this winter but so far, no accumulation.

Winter driving is hard enough , never mind if you have a car that has poor performance in snow/ice. I love the car so far (bought in Sept.), but this first winters performance will give me a clue whether or not I will keep it. I HAVE to have a car that will get me to work in anything short of EXTREME weather (hurricane, blizzard, ect...). I don't have any "snow days" to fall back on where I work!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Dec 21 2006, 05:36 PM) [snapback]365405[/snapback]</div>

Dito

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Dec 23 2006, 01:38 PM) [snapback]366055[/snapback]</div>

Jon

That could be. I have noticed much better behavior this winter, but that could also be due to the new Goodyear Nordic studded snow tires I'm running. I can easily churn my way through drifted, rutted snow that has caught 4wd pickups by surprise.

jay

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jim B. @ Dec 24 2006, 08:03 AM) [snapback]366261[/snapback]</div>

Well, try the "all season" tires and see how they work for you. If NH allows studded tires for winter, you sure can't go wrong with them.

It's one thing when every other vehicle on the road is having traction trouble, then you can't blame your car. But if your car is the only one that is helpless at a green light and people in a rusted out s***box have no trouble passing you and leaving you behind in the snow dust, something is wrong.

This winter I finally had permission from my condo association to use studded tires in the underground heated parking. I'm using Goodyear Nordic, which is only available from Canadian Tire. Not sure if you can buy them in the U.S. In the EU the tire is called the Goodyear Ultra Grip 500, and I'm very happy with the snow and especially ice traction

http://eu.goodyear.com/home_en/tires/repos...p?page=benefits

The tire is extremely noisy on dry pavement, making a howl/hum like an old bias-ply truck tire. I can live with that, I'm no longer helpless at an intersection.

 

I'm running on just the all-season radials that came on the car and have been pleased. I was one of the few that made it into the office the day after our blizzard (2 1/2 feet in 24 hours). I've had to push my wife's car (Grand Caravan) out three times when she got stuck during the same period. A lot of our side streets are still barely plowed, but as long as I don't do something stupid (like drive into a snowbank) I'm not worried about getting around.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rob Hoch @ Dec 27 2006, 06:08 PM) [snapback]367416[/snapback]</div>

So it sounds like Toyota modified the "traction control" for 2007? With my 2004 it was helpless on ice and deep snow, completely motionless. That's why I'm running studded tires.

 

Sometimes I love it, sometimes not so much. Right now my 06 is stuck about 1/2 way in the street, 1/2 way in my driveway, motionless, impotent. The TRAC system needs to either have a manual cut-off or a minimum speed activator or something. With deep, thick, wet, snow, the car is a stone trying to park. Since power to the wheels is cut off with a little spinning, this car forbids the tried and true neighbors-pushing-on-the-back-while-I-floor-it-until-we-reach-traction method. This is usually only needed once or twice a year in Omaha, but it is needed once or twice every year in Omaha. Today is number three for the year so far... I can't imagine driving this car in a really snowy place. I am furious with that car right now, but for the first time in 13 months that's not so bad.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fugsco @ Mar 1 2007, 01:53 PM) [snapback]398602[/snapback]</div>

I live in the Northern part of New Hampshire in the White Mountains. I have had absolutely zero problems driving in winter conditions. I did however immediately trade in the Goodyear Ingeritites (OEM tires) for Nokian WR's. I am told they can climb uphill backwards in snow. I have been very pleased with my prius all round and would by another in an instant.