First time in the snow....Prius found lacking. :(

While I don't live in the Great White North, I don't have issues defrosting my windshield when I need to.

The LRR tires do leave something to be desired in snow though. Although personally I feel like the combo of the LRR tires and the overreactive stability control are a team in hurting stock snow abilities.

I debated getting snow tires, mostly for ice, but still haven't. It is just such a crap shoot in my area whether I'll need them or not.

In contrast I never had snow tires in Upstate NY, but they also did a much better job at treating roads and there was less ice-centric events.

 

Wouldn't you also need an extra set of TPMS sensors, plus reprogramming each time you swap sets?

 

OMG!!!! What shall I do.


Maybe I can get the snowshoes or cross country skis out and make the trek to the store for more bread and milk.

Between this and the wind thread I might as well send my Prius to the scrap heap and pick up a hummer.

 

When I got our setup, the parts guy asked "do you want TPMS?", while shaking his head.

You can go that route, I think extra sensors rival tires for price. You can also get a device that allows you to resolve the biyearly handshake.

I chose to keep it simple.

 

Interestingly enough, my Prius has been my go-to winter vehicle so far. I actually anticipated my F250 pickup being the workhorse, but I haven't needed it yet. Not that we've gotten pounded so far, but some moderate storms have rolled in. The Prius has impressed me.

 

Before TPMS I had my snows on dedicated steel wheels and swapped them myself in the driveway. Since TPMS became a thing I just have the shop swap the tires back and forth. I get free snow tire swaps because I bought my tires there so it's no extra expense. (Town Fair Tire)

 

It is my first winter with my Prius. I travel from Toronto to Barrie in Canada and it has been record-breaking low temperatures these past two weeks at -23C. My commute consists of driving in the city for 10 minutes followed by 55 minutes on the highway.

I found my Prius a bit weak in the winter compared to my old gas car when driven on the highway. Problems are more noticable when it drops below -15C. The front windshield defogs well except for a little bit at the top, but the side windows don't defog completely. The back side windows are completely fogged after an hour of highway driving. The heat doesn't reach the knees very well.

 

Snow tires make a world of difference. With proper snow tires, my Prius went where Subaru's went.

 

I gave up trying to dig out the Prius. I do appreciate the suggests. The ole' Pri' has stayed this way now for 3 + weeks. I'll just wait for Mother Nature to do her magic. 100 + inches this year was just a little too much.

 

NONSENSE!!

Guess you haven't tried the Michelin X-Ice-P90x/Insanity/crossfit winter radials. They should pull right through those 100"s...

 

LOL. Just been lazy as I have a AWD for this weather. By profession - I've spend tons of the time at the Arctic. When it gets really bad we use tracked vehicles, dogs, or Ski Doo.

Good looking tire we'll keep it in mind. Thanks.

p.s. I like your Bichon/Maltese?

 

Westie

And she might make a decent sled dog for a mile or so, unless a squirell/bunny/ chipmunk ran by, then forward progress would go all to hell. Lol.