The Prius sucks in winter.

Maybe we didn't get 8-12 inches of snow this year yet in NY. I did fine with OEM ties (40/38 psi)when we got some snow last week. I even made a video which was posted in the other thread.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8046782958239824369

Dennis

 

SiliconAddict,

You probably encountered more hostile responses than you expected due to the "Prius sucks" phrase in your thread title and the fact that many people haven't had such a problem.

I'll be the first to admit that the Prius is not as good in snow as our AWD Subaru Outback was. But the Prius is, after all, a 2WD car with a ground clearlance so low that you can scrape the bottom on parking stops. And better tires do seem to have solved the problems of probably 95% of the people posting to this forum (still using the OEMs ourselves, no problems in Chicago's snow yet this winter).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SiliconAddict @ Feb 25 2007, 06:11 PM) [snapback]396396[/snapback]</div>

Same stuff, different day. Someone says their car isn't worth a damn in the snow and are bombarded with "get the new tires" or "my car works great in the snow." Folks, please get real and acknowledge the fact that some Prii do suck in the snow. I've been driving an '05 since spring of '05 and would totally agree with SiliconAddict's comments. I do use snow tires with absolutely no difference.

Let's get away from snow and ice for a moment and talk about TC problems in the summer. Have you ever been in a car that won't make it up a loosely packed gravel driveway without TC cutting in and stopping the car dead in its' tracks? My Prius does exactly that. Will changing over to snow tires help in that situation? I don't think so. How about driving over a painted crosswalk marking on a wet day and having TC kick in when the wheels momentarily loose traction on the slick surface? Happened to me just last week.

Sorry to rant but I wish people who are encountering these problems, including myself, would be heard and not deluged with the idea that the problem is unique to them, etc, etc, ad infinitum.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SiliconAddict @ Feb 25 2007, 07:11 PM) [snapback]396396[/snapback]</div>

This is interesting. A handful of us appear to have some serious issues with the "traction" control.

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=29471&st=0

http://priuschat.com/Prius-Shuts-Down-In-Snow-t29173.html

With my current winter tires - studded Goodyear Nordic - my Prius does just fine on ice. I can even blow the doors off 4x4's. But deep snow, forget about it. This is detailed in the two threads above, but to summarize: if a neighbor in a 2003 Ford Focus wagon running the same studded Goodyear Nordic tires can drive to my rescue, with no trouble, there has to be something going on with a handful of Prius cars.

Don't be put off by the "Prius Apologists." I’m sure they initially blamed the driver when reports of Prius cars “stalling†began to surface.

I’ll probably end up getting a second vehicle for trips out to my hobby farm. We had a lovely little blizzard on Saturday, and I was snowbound - again. This time I didn’t even try to drive out the Prius but waited for the sideroad to be fully plowed

About a week ago, a test drove a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. They styling is a bit over the top for me, but the test drive really convinced me it would be a good second vehicle

The FJ Cruiser has full time Traction Control, but it’s “real.†I drove around in 2WD and found a residential street with a slightly bare center section, but snowy/ice sides. Hit the gas and one can quite clearly feel/hear the brake being applied to the spinning rear wheel. The system is far more obtrusive than another “real†system I’m familiar with, a co-workers 2006 Range Rover HSE

I had considered a Highlander Hybrid, but the only way to get one with side and head curtain airbags here in Canada is to get the Limited, around $54,000. One is forced to take leather, sunroof, and a lot of other unnecessary things.

I wonder if Toyota engineers lurk this board? Hopefully they will get the message that at least a handful of Prius cars have poor winter driving characteristics.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Feb 27 2007, 04:13 PM) [snapback]397525[/snapback]</div>

And IIRC, they're not all the early 2005 and earlier models. People with later models have also been complaining. Correct me if I'm wrong about that. I've had no problem with my 2005 that I got in August of that year. Of course, I don't think I'd want to drive through anything deeper than 5 inches, unless it were powder. Five inches (or less) of slush is the most I've handled.

Dave M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Feb 27 2007, 07:13 PM) [snapback]397525[/snapback]</div>

Have you looked into an Escape Hybrid? I've heard many good things about them, and have yet to hear complaints about winter troubles with the AWD trim. It may be a Ford but it sounds like one of the better models that they produce. Couldn't hurt to find one to test drive, see if you like it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomorrowMatters @ Feb 26 2007, 01:07 PM) [snapback]396804[/snapback]</div>

I don't think I've seen it mentioned previously in related posts, but as far as I know, all TRAC systems have this problem in a slip. I've driven two other models of Toyota that have the same problem, and I think it's endemic to designing a system that automatically regains control if a slip is sensed.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Feb 27 2007, 09:14 PM) [snapback]397550[/snapback]</div>

Good point. At least a handful of *all model years* appear to have this issue

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brick @ Feb 27 2007, 10:25 PM) [snapback]397581[/snapback]</div>

I would like to try one, but the Ford dealers here don't appear interested in stocking one

 

This is my second winter on Blizzaak REVO1 tires, and I find the traction control kicks in very frequently. One day we had wet snow that got packed down into ice. I stopped for a red light, and after it turned green I could not move more than a foot or two before the traffic light changed to red again! It was very frustrating, not to mention scary with cars coming up from behind!

I won't get Blizzaak REVO1 tires again. I'm very disappointed since last year Tirerack rated them the best on ice.

I carry a copy of the instructions for disabling TRAC in my glovebox, but haven't tried them yet. Usually the problem is short lived and a light touch on the accelerator solves the problem.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SiliconAddict @ Feb 27 2007, 01:42 AM) [snapback]397098[/snapback]</div>

As others have suggested, the best thing to do is get proper winter tires for the season. "All Season" tires are a compromise - so you are getting less than ideal for summer and winter conditions. Much better to get proper winter tires and mount them on steel rims and swap them each season.

Also, with regards to your comment about spinning & rocking to gain momentum, this is precisely what eats transmissions and is a large reason why the Prius cannot disable it - to protect the HSD. If your area gets significant snow, the next best thing would be to invest in some traction aids to keep in the hatch to get you out of a tough situation. I actually keep a set in the car rather than a clunky shovel and they have worked great on the rare occasion I have had to use them in the past (though never tried with the Prius; usually to help others).

One last comment - many people seem to overlook the fact that the Prius actually has quite low ground clearance - only 5.0" - and this will obviously impact the ability of the car to handle deep snow effectively. A non-TC-equipped Focus was mentioned in another thread as being superior in deep snow; the (assumed 2007 wagon) Focus has a ground clearance of 6.5", so this is likely a factor and not a great surprise.

Just my thoughts...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brick @ Feb 25 2007, 07:16 PM) [snapback]396397[/snapback]</div>

I have GoodYear Assurance TripleTred all-seacons highly rated on TireRack even in snow. Car performance in snow still sucks - traction control stops wheels all the time, practically impossible climb up the hill unless it is plowed and sanded. Note that my other car which is 4x4 has no trouble in same conditions with summer tires on it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LazyBear @ Feb 28 2007, 01:23 AM) [snapback]397689[/snapback]</div>

Well, the 4x4 would definitely help in climbing a hill, since you have four wheels working rather than two pulling the other two. How much this compensates over the 'inferior' tires and absence of traction control would depend on more factors, like condition of the tires and snow at that time... Are you still able to climb the hill in 4x2 mode (if available)?

I am not doubting the 4x4 is a better performer in the snow. Overall, the Prius is a decent performer in the winter, but no car is the miracle car for all conditions. Climbing low-traction hills on a regular basis may be a justifiable reason for a 4x4, as long as it is a Highlander Hybrid.

 

In terms of getting over a tall drift of snow, it all has to do with clearance from the road to the bottom of the vehicle. Most compact/mid-size japanese cars have low clearance. Hondas are even worse actually. The fact that the tires are smaller doesn't help either. So it's not really a 'Prius thing'. That's the point I'm trying to get across.

 

Got stuck in the snow today, for the first time in the six weeks since I got my new Prius. Was in a bit of a rush when I put it in drive and nothing really happened. Got my shovel out and cleared the snow around the front wheels. Tried to take off once more, and same thing happened all over again.

Then I noticed I'd left the parking brake on all the time. No wonder nothing moved.


Maybe I'm not the only one....???

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(afternoonnap @ Feb 28 2007, 12:44 AM) [snapback]397657[/snapback]</div>

Afternoon,
Have you checked whether you might be overinflated? I'm running REVOS on both my Prius and my wife's HyCam this winter, and they've been mountain goats. The Prius gets hung up a little bit when a fresh foot of snow has dropped, but that's from the low clearance. Ice performance has been stellar.
Perhaps the multicell compound is already worn off yours?
RPM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(redryder @ Feb 27 2007, 12:05 PM) [snapback]397198[/snapback]</div>

Redrider,
It sounds like you're saying "don't respond unless you agree with me."

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(onerpm @ Feb 28 2007, 03:20 PM) [snapback]398036[/snapback]</div>

Indeed folks... with ANY rubber tired vehicle, one of my old farm boy tricks is to let some air out of the tires to about 20 lbs when stuck on slick ice or muddy conditions. When you get yourself free you can refill the tires with the 12 volt compressor a good Prius owner always has onboard; or drive slowly to the nearest air pump. If you're having challenges just driving on crappy roads... try running with the air at 30lbs. until the roads are clear again.

Here's of pic of the imprint of my fog light and lower grill I left behind at several mail box stops the other day. (Take a look in my profile to see the car.) I know some of you will freak out to see a Prius abused as a work horse, so I'll ask you to forgive me in advance.

[attachmentid=6732]

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(onerpm @ Feb 28 2007, 04:20 PM) [snapback]398036[/snapback]</div>

Sorry, I did not mean to give that impression. Thanks for pointing it out.

I would welcome any and all responses. but to suggest that I try different tires, show me pictures of your Prius frolicking about in the snow, or point out that the Prius doesn't have much ground clearance does not really help me in addressing the serious and potentially dangerous problem TC is causing me (and others, my brother for one, who are encountering the same problem.)

I find it interesting that while I purposely brought up only warm weather situations in which TC has caused me grief, the ensuing posts immediately revert back to winter scenarios.

When I say "same stuff different day", I'm seeing that this thread is following pretty much the exact same pattern as all the other threads I've seen involving someone having a problem with TC. The thread always goes in the same direction as this one seems to be heading, namely "if it doesn't happen to me then you must be doing something wrong."

BTW, I speak from some 3 years experience on PC. A computer "malfunction" has locked me out of my old account, so I'm having to start over from scratch.