Well, I think we'll wander over to the Zoo in the new Prius this morning, and see how (a) the car is doing in snow and (B) how the snow leopards are reacting to the frozen precipitation. Woo-hoo!
No driving problems at all (for probably anyone in the Wallingford area). I must say, though: next time it snows overnight, get over to the Woodland Park Zoo. Everything is gorgeous at opening time, there's no one there, and the animals are having a wonderful time. (Yaz the snow leopard walked up to the window and looked at Heidi and I like "So, did you two arrange this?")
ok you can have mine... its not that i dont think my Prius can handle the snow, its just i would feel very unsafe worrying about someone else hitting me!!
Then you better watch out for me, because when it snows, Beast Blazer and I go out joy-riding! We love snow.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA\";p=\"63384)</div> LOL Don't have to worry about that. The Prius (for me at least) was a complete nightmare in the snow. This is truly my first complaint about this car. The condos I live in have a fairly steep hill in order to get out. I backed out of my garage, turned and pointed upward, and pressed gently on the accelerator. The car didn't do a damn thing. (Note that in the Lake Stevens area we got about 2-4") I tried giving it a little more gas, but apparently, my gently pressed accelerator was going as hard as it would. The VSC, when it kicks in, apparently won't let the car go over roughly 5mph. I finally gave up, as I clearly wasn't going ANYWHERE and I even had to ask my neighbors to help push me back in the garage as the car couldn't even retrace it's steps and make it back. Needless to say I called out for work that day, BARELY made it the next day by the way, and had to park at the top of the hill across from my condo complex just to be able to get places the next few days til it melted. Not too thrilled. Wish there was a way to turn the VSC off... I at least could have TRIED to give it more gas and see if that would have improved things...
sorry but safe driving in ice and snow doesnt mean fishtailing up the hill losing traction in any way. losing traction means loss of control of the car. you say you could go 5 mph and no more. then sounds like you could have made it up the hill eventually. ive been to your house and i would be more worried with that big hill on the way to the freeway... but that would be plowed i hope. i also found a perfect application for B mode. when it was cold (we got no snow but did get to freezing which is much worse for driving) it was very tough going down State St in downtown oly. it was first day of freeze and yes trucks were out sanding in selected areas but parts of state are too steep for sand and it was slick. i found that B mode was perfect for controlling speed since braking only caused all kinds of lights to pop up on the dash.
There's been no snow or ice here, so I haven't had trouble driving. But even if I had my Prius by now, I still wouldn't take it out when it snowed. Why? Because I'd be less heart-broken and upset if Beast Blazer got smashed in an ice/snow-induced crash than if it was my Prius. I'd die a thousand deaths if the Prius got totaled! Old Blazers are a dime a dozen, but Prii are not!
You can try this read the cautions: (Thanks to Dan) OK, here's some informationn from the repair manual. However, it does state that spinning the front wheels can damage the vehicle (see part I bolded). Do this at your own risk. This will disable the TRAC and keep the engine running. 5. INSPECTION MODE HINT: The PRIUS’ engine automatically stops if the vehicle is stopped, the engine is warmed up, the battery is well charged, and A/C compressor operation is not being used. Activate inspection mode when continuous operation of the engine is required. The PRIUS has a motor TRAC function. When the wheel speed of the front wheels exceeds that of rear wheels, the wheel speed of the front wheels is restrained. It is necessary to activate inspection mode and deactivate the motor TRAC function when turning only the front wheels using a speedometer tester. (a) Vehicle conditions (1) Before activating inspection mode, turn the air conditioning off, start the engine with the selector lever in the P position, and check that the engine stops within several seconds after starting (engine warm up check). (2) Activate inspection mode and inspect the vehicle. The shift position for each test is as follows: Test item Shift position Inspection mode 1. Vehicle straight travelling test (side slip inspection) D ON or OFF 2. Breaking force test N ON or OFF 3. Speed meter test D ON 4. Exhaust gas test (idling) P ON 5. Headlight test P ON or OFF (3) Reset inspection mode immediately after completion of inspection. NOTICE: Driving the vehicle without resetting inspection mode may damage the transaxle. (B) Special notes for speedometer test NOTICE: Do not use the speedmeter tester to perform rapid starting or quick accleration/deceleration without first setting the proper load on the vehicle. Failing to set the load may damage the transaxle. (1) Depress the accelerator pedal slowly and gradually accelerate the vehicle. Make a measurement. (2) After the measurement, use the brake to gradually decelerate the vehicle. © Special note for using the chassis dynamometer Always set an appropriate load before starting the test. (d) Activating of inspection mode (NOT Using the hand–held tester) Perform the following steps from (1) through (4) in 60 seconds. (1) Turn the power switch ON (IG). (2) Fully depress the accelerator pedal twice with the transmission in the P position. (3) Fully depress the accelerator pedal twice with the transmission in the N position. (4) Fully depress the accelerator pedal twice with the transmission in the P position. (5) Check that the HV system warning lamp flashes on the multi–information display. (6) Start the engine by pushing the power switch, depressing the brake pedal. Back to top  ElvisPrius Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Brookville, PA Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 8:38 am   Post subject: Yes, it can survive a dyno run UNDER LOAD! If you lost traction to the ground and the wheels are spinning, you have lost that load. That could be risky. At least it seems the RPM of the engine is limited to 2500 in this mode. Oh wait, I didn't post that part of the description: NOTICE: The idling speed in inspection mode is approximately 1,000 rpm. The engine speed increases to 1,500 rpm if the accelerator pedal is depressed by less than 60%. If the accelerator pedal is depressed by more than 60%, the engine speed increases to 2,500 rpm. If a DTC is set during inspection mode, the master warning lamp and the error warning lamp illuminate on the multi–information display. When the master warning lamp illuminates during inspection mode, deactivate inspection mode, and check a DTC(s). Driving the vehicle without deactivating inspection mode may damage the transaxle.
