Traveling on November 18 to California

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Main Forum' started by Joann Driggs, Nov 11, 2024.

  1. Joann Driggs

    Joann Driggs New Member

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    I have a 2024 Prius Prime and I will need to get through the Rockies on November 18. I hear there are no snow tires for the 2024 Prius Prime. Any suggestions?
     
  2. RandyPete

    RandyPete Active Member

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    XSE or SE model (19" or 17" wheels) ?
     
  3. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    It's a heavy FWD car with lots of torque. Just take it easy - I'm sure you've got plenty of experience driving in the snow with a FWD.
    I've driven in white-out conditions with a much lighter first generation Acura Integra without snow tires or chains. You just need to compensate with longer trailing distances and try not to break traction. It was a bit easier to control with a 5-speed tranny.
    When all else fails, just get behind a big rig - let them blaze a trail for you and follow their tire prints. Stay a good distance back to avoid all the road debris they throw up and make sure you utilize your B gear rather than your brakes. Brakes tend to break traction and you can goose the accelerator to regain traction if you begin to slide/lose traction.
    You may also want to turn-off traction controls in deep snow or white-out conditions, where you can't see the road. Not sure how these new cars will behave in those conditions, you'll just have to wing it. My old Integra didn't have any of those, so I didn't have to fight the computer along with the road.
     
    #3 BiomedO1, Nov 12, 2024
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2024
  4. Hammersmith

    Hammersmith Senior Member

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    Incorrect. Michelin makes X-Ice Snows in both 195/60-17 and 195/50-19.

    OTOH, you may have waited too long to get them delivered and installed before you have to leave. Tire Rack says they can get the 17" version to you by the 14th, but they can't get the 19" to you until the 18th.
     
  5. Blackat

    Blackat Active Member

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    The I-70 mtn corridor is very deceiving, especially Vail Pass. Tread carefully
     
  6. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Senior Member

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    Get some chains. There's predicted to be a storm this weekend.
     
  7. RandyPete

    RandyPete Active Member

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    Special Cable chains ?
     
  8. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Senior Member

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    Tire chains. CHP will turn you away if you don't got no chains because they don't wanna have to rescue you because you got stranded in a snowstorm and went Donner Party on the other people in the car.
     
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  9. Blackat

    Blackat Active Member

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    Yeah, that's a California thing. They don't do that here in Colorado.
    You do need proper tires and/or AWD-4X4. Big rigs require chains for the passes.