I got stuck in the mud!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Miz @ Jan 15 2007, 09:23 AM) [snapback]375799[/snapback]</div>

I've gotten stuck before in our Volvo with a limited slip diff. and traction control turned off. If the mud is wet enough, normal tires aren't going to do anything, and with an automatic it's a lot harder to rock the car to break it free (as compared to a manual).

Perhaps applying the brake slightly might have fooled the traction control?

 

It is very probable that, if the Prius would not engage because of wheel slip, that any other front wheel drive would have just spun and spun anyway.

Point is, so many people who have the Prius do something they do not like, automatically assume a non-hybrid Camry, Geo, Minivan, (insert any other FWD car here) would have not had that problem.

*note to self- Do not drive off the road into soft dirt or mud with front wheels...back up into the dirt instead....wait...I already knew that.

 

I also recently got stuck in the mud way out on a lonely country road. About 3 minutes into my dilemma 2 carloads of brutes happened by and pushed me out. The incident apparently caused one of the lead weights on my wheels to go missing and therefore they became unbalanced (like the driver) so that meant a visit to my local tire shop for rebalancing (auto and psychological).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Schmika @ Jan 15 2007, 10:26 AM) [snapback]375814[/snapback]</div>

Well at least you would have had a chance to rock the car and see if it could pull itself out. I've had to take three runs at a driveway with new gravel, much to the amusement of those looking on. I'm more careful now but I don't like it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Jan 15 2007, 09:34 AM) [snapback]375879[/snapback]</div>

TonyPSchaefer, Miz wrote that the Prius got towed. (
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Miz @ Jan 15 2007, 06:23 AM) [snapback]375799[/snapback]</div>

)

 

The Prius is definitely NOT the car you want to drive offroad (wet grass, mud, gravel, etc.). If the wheels spin the car stops and just sits there. Something similar happened to me while driving up a wet dirt road. The front tires will never again touch anything but pavement. <_<

 

Hay, DON'T BE AN OLD STICK-IN-THE-MUD!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

I couldn't resist!! Been a long day ya'll..

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jamarimutt @ Jan 15 2007, 07:11 PM) [snapback]376085[/snapback]</div>

I agree. It's also very misleading how a tire maker is allowed to stamp a tire "M + S" which would infer "mud and snow." When clearly the tire is only intended for dry road or at best wet pavement operation. There is no Standard to prove the claim, it's Marketing.

Another misleading term is "all season" but since there is again no Standard to prove it, you have to use your best judgment. AFAIK the only tires REQUIRED to meet certain performance standards are those branded with the "snowflake" symbol, to at least set minimum winter traction performance.

Although some folks really rave about the standard - and not defeatable - Traction Control System, I have been helpless when one wheel was on ice and the other wheel was on dry pavement. This was on "all season" tires, I currently run studded Goodyear Nordic with no problems.

A "real" traction control system will attempt to brake the spinning wheel to hopefully allow the wheel on dry pavement to pull the vehicle ahead. Never had that happen with my Prius once a wheel spins, you lose all power

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Schmika @ Jan 15 2007, 10:26 AM) [snapback]375814[/snapback]</div>

If that happens, then you really can't blame the Prius. However, if you're driving your brand new Prius through it's first winter storm and it's helpless on ice but every other car seems to be doing ok, to the point of honking at you for holding back traffic, then something is amiss.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MarinJohn @ Jan 15 2007, 11:29 AM) [snapback]375850[/snapback]</div>

As a big brute, I was really offended by that statement. We have feelings too <snif> <snif>

:lol:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Jan 15 2007, 01:04 PM) [snapback]375901[/snapback]</div>

Try heavy drinking. It works for me

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Jan 15 2007, 04:59 PM) [snapback]376098[/snapback]</div>

I believe that there is a (meaningless) standard to achieve the M&S rating. There is a percentage of the tread that must be cut away. That's all. No performance criteria. So even a Formula 1 race car grooved dry tire would probably meet the standard.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jan 16 2007, 12:13 AM) [snapback]376172[/snapback]</div>

Was that update a part of the '05?
Was it a recall on the '04?
Dave M.

 

well, we got 4" of fresh snow and IF i can make it out of my driveway, it opens to west cliffs that overlook downtown Olympia, its closed to thru traffic, but since i live on the hill, its always open to me IF i decide to risk it...

well, its obvious that i have to go down and around to get back up the hill, just hoping nothing happens when i get to the bottom...

 

We got a bit of snow here sunday night (i think it was the first real snow we've had all winter, unless i missed some traveling over the holidays), and yesterday was an experience. The tires tended to slip whenever i was starting up from a stop, and the car wasn't too happy when i was on any unpaved roads. in fact, at one point i was sliding sideways into a turn (no one else around, nice big roads with nothing up the curbs), mostly to see what it would do, and got a nice series of beeps from the car as it panicked and tried to reestablish traction.

 

This happened to me off of my driveway last night. We have a narrow drive near the street that widens near the garage so an extra car can park on the drive. I pulled up and performed my curve as per usual and the front left tire slipped off the driveway. I backed up the car and tried to get the tire back on and no such luck. There's about a 2 1/2 dip off the driveway. Anyhow, I waited until my husband came home to push while I rocked and nothing. Then, my neighbor came over to help and nothing. I had to call a tow truck as well.

Meanwhile, I was freaking because my battery went to two purple bars and the engine wasn't recharging the battery while the car was idle. I figured I'd call my dealer to see if I should just have the car towed to them in case I messed something up so I wouldn't have to drive it to them this a.m. They said to wait until it's towed out and to drive it for a while and that it should start to recharge again.

Same situation - muddy, mucky water. My neighbor's sum pump (spelling?) discharges right near my drive.

The car is fine - thankfully. I put the tow truck's number 847-537-9693 (for those that live in the chicago area - they're open 24 hours/day) in my phone as they were the most honest I called. $85 flat rate, but I have no idea of their service area. Another tow company I called said prices start at $95 and go up from there. I know how this works so I asked him if he gets the car out in 15 minutes, would I pay the $95 and he said he can't answer that question as there are too many variables. Preying on the vulnerable.

Now the worst part is that my car has mud splatterings all over it and it's far too cold to wash it.

 

well it was definitely a bit slippery, but not all that bad so far. temps are warming up now so it will soon be slush. so driving will not be too bad. pic turned out a lot blurrier than i expected...cellphones!! cant live with em, cant live without em

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Jan 16 2007, 09:42 AM) [snapback]376313[/snapback]</div>

For driving (not mileage), I like the weather we've got over here. The lower the temperature, the better the traction. I hate driving in slush. Even worse, driving on melting ice can be really dangerous, especially if you don't expect it.

It's warming up though. It's already up to 14 F.

Dave M.