First true snow test drive today.

My 2014 came with Yokohama tires... we don't get much snow, but what are your thoughts on these tires for wet/snow?

 

Tell me more! I just bought a 2014 Prius 3 and sold my 2004 CR-V...

 

As long as they are all season they should give decent traction! I only have experienced with Goodyear Assurance fuel max and Bridgestone ecopia EP20 and they are excellent traction on ice and compact snow. H

 

In my experience once Ecopia EP20 are worn to about 5 or 6 32nds remaining they are hopeless in snow. This was on a Civic Hybrid fwiw.

When brand new they're not bad, but...

 

I copied and pasted it into a notepad doc, print it out and keep a copy in the glovebox.

 

We've had four snowstorms in the last ten days. One was 13" of snow, one was 4" one was 11" and yesterday's was 6" topped w/a layer of ice. Once the streets were plowed- I had no problems with the PIP as far as starting and stopping is concerned. I have Michelin X Ice tires all around, they're really excellent. Once the streets are plowed- the PIP with Michelin X Ice tires is better than my 2003 CRV.

Here's a good review a the tire rack:
Tire Test Results : Testing Studless Ice & Snow Tires: Winter Season Specialists

 

Got it! Thanks!!

 

I am very experienced at driving in snow, and I'm ashamed to say that the traction control in my Acura can do a much better job providing the maximum traction available than I can. If the Prius TCS is anything like my Acura, your best bet is to leave it on. Engine roaring and tires spinning has much less traction than providing the most power available for the grip, without spinning the tires.

When a tire is being used properly, it rolls onto the road surface at the same speed that the road is passing beneath it. The contact patch of the tire is actually stationary in relation to the road below and has a high adhesion. Once the tire moves faster than the surface, the static friction is lost and you have much worse traction. Have you ever tried to push a heavy box and noticed that it takes a lot of force just to get it moving, and then much less force once it slides? Same Principle.

The traction control should be monitoring wheel slip and applying the maximum power that the tires can grip. If people are passing you, it isn't because the computer is holding you back; it's because your tires aren't as well suited for the snow as some of the other vehicles.

It could also be that the other drivers anticipated the hill and gained momentum as they approached. This can get you up a grade faster than you normally could, but it also could potentially allow you to go up something so steep that you eventually come to a stop and then slide backwards.

*Note* There are some tires such as sand dune tires that have scoops built into them that can benefit from spinning the tire and throwing massive quantities of snow or sand to gain momentum. Regular all-season tires are not designed this way.

 

Let's face it the #1 tire for winter conditions is a good winter snow tread with studs added for ice conditions . Some all season however can get you through the winter with traction control and lots of winter driving skills. h