Huge Disappointment

Package #4 has VSC. VSC just might some day save your life so don't regret getting it. But VSC will also deny power to a wheel that is slipping. This is for the protection of the driver as much as the electric systems. So if the computer says there is not traction, the wheel will not turn, thus no power is needed, thus the ICE does not come on.

In another thread on this a while ago everyone seemed to agree that there should be a turn off switch as apparently some cars with VSC have such a switch for this very reason. However, this could cause the electirc motor to over rev and this may be why we don't have it.

Your problem is not because the gas engine failed to come on. (Of course, I can't say that there is not some special problem with your car, but that is not what I suspect is happening.)

So the solution is to somehow reliably improve traction. Better tires like Tideland suggested -- just for the winter, throwing sand down, or moving to the Bahamas are all possibilities.

But please don't ever regret getting VSC. Everyone should get VSC.

 

I'm just going by what I've read here and elsewhere. My car doesn't have VSC and it doesn't snow here, but I think there is a "slip indicator light" and a vsc light on the dashboard which light up if VSC is activated. If you get one of those you know that's the problem, and the solution is better tires. I believe people have had good results with Michelin Hydroedge tires.

 

Do you still have less than 500 miles on your car?

Read this thread about exchanging the OEM tires for something better . . . ComforTred? . . . HydroEdge?
http://priuschat.com/forums/a-new-prius-ow...res-vt6863.html


PriusChatters have commented about a vast improvement in situations like yours.

 

You people are confusing VSC and Traction Control!

All Prius models have Traction Control as a standard feature.

VSC - Vehicle Stability Control - is on the AM and BC models only.

Traction Control is what can prevent you (her) from making it up that snowy/icy driveway. On the other hand VSC will (in many situations) prevent her from sliding sideways over the edge of that driveway.


If you hear a chime at the same time the same slip indicator for Traction Control is lit . . . that is what indicates VSC is working. The “VSC†light is a warning of a failure of the VSC system.

 

wow.....sux to live in Penn......!
I'd suggest you forget the snow tires and move out west! :mrgreen:

 

My vote would be to get snow tires versus upgrades to Hydroedges.

I'm not happy with the 'performance' of my Hydroedges in winter.
Especially in slushy conditions...

-bob

 

Have you tried backing up? This would improve your traction going up a hill. (The grade would be shifting weight on to your drive wheels instead of off.)

Of course, backing up for 2/10 mile could be a recipe for a stiff neck!

 

gas-mileage in reverse is terrible.......

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cyclesome\";p=\"78083)</div>

Welcome!

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada and we get "real" winter here too. You've discovered just how sensitive and aggressive the standard Traction Control is! That's to protect the electric motor components of the Hybrid system from damage.

When I still had the "all season" tires on, I tried driving up a snow covered and icy parking ramp at a local mall. My Prius made it around 2 car lengths up before coming to a complete stop. Nobody was behind and I had to reverse down and park on level ground.

I have tried experimenting with the car on an empty and icy parking lot, and can confirm the Traction Control works in Reverse too. So even if you tried backing up, you'd still come to a stop.

It doesn't matter if you floor it or not, or if the gas motor is running or not, once the Traction Control engages you come to a complete stop.

The quickest way to "cure" this problem is to invest in good winter tires on steel rims. Tire Rack usually has good package deals. I'm not sure if PA allows studs or not, if not then get a good studless winter tire like a Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 or the winter tires I have, Dunlop Graspic DS-2.

I recommend steel rims for winter for two reasons: makes changing over a snap, you can swap the tires in less than 20 minutes; and, all the road salt on the highway won't pit your nice aluminum rims.

Some folks claim even the stock Integrity tires are great winter tires. IMHO that isn't possible, especially in temps below 0 F.

Some posts that go into more detail on this:

http://www.priuschat.com/forums/will-i-mak...way-vt5047.html

http://www.priuschat.com/forums/proud-of-m...nce-vt6166.html

Note I provided some URL's on winter road safety in the above link.

Once you drive proper high traction winter tires in winter road conditions you'll wonder why the h*** you risked your life driving on all-season tires.

 

What Jayman said...

I just got the car in Jan. and I didn't buy snows for it so, I can't attest to the difference.

But next winter, I'm going with what Jayman said and common sense.

As for PA allowing studded tires, yes. From Nov. 1 to Apr. 15.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/studtire/re...regulations.htm

Cheers,

-bob

 

Bob:

Then I have to add the factory-studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 2 to my personally-tested and approved winter tire list!

I would be running them on my Prius, but my Condo Association prohibits studded tires in the underground parking garage.

They applied a special sealer to the cement floor and are worried that studded tires will damage the sealant. My other option is to park the car on the street - I think not.

Jay

 

I say Toyota needs to figure out a way to deal with this traction control issue (any techs out there listening? pass it on . I've been caught on an icy incline - with Nokian snow tires (but no studs) then yesterday in my own driveway in the mud...trying to go slow to not do too much damage to the driveway, traction control kicks in and I have to shift from F to R to F to R etc to get myself moved. This is one of my few complaints with this vehicle. There must be a solution.

 

I think Toyota is worried about the PSD or the MG with such an aggressive and sensitive Traction control. So I personally won't mess around with it.

Once I put on my Dunlop Graspic DS-2 winter tires last winter, I ceased to worry about the snow and ice. I only had a problem getting going at a green light a couple of times, freezing rain had turned to glare ice. Other cars were all but stationary so I can't complain too much.

I still wish I had the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 2, as I've always preferred studded tires in winter. Unless my Condo Association changes their mind - unlikely - I'm going to tough it out with the Graspic's.

I haven't tried driving on muddy driveways with my Prius. I suppose I should run out to the hobby farm and see how the Michelin Harmony tires do when they sink in 2 inches. I usually wait until all the frost has gone out as otherwise I leave huge ruts in the driveway.

 

Waitaminit: Cyclesome, are you saying that the car could not/did not climb up your driveway? That would be bad, but I'm puzzled by your remark "could not get the gas engine to come on". It's perfectly normal for the gas engine not to run during low-speed movement.