How to disable the stability/traction control?

I'm glad you qualified your statement. Traction control can work in this fashion. How it is actually implemented on cars is another issue. Generally car manufacturers take the easy way out.

There is no reason to allow a foolish driver to blow the brakes. After all, the traction control system also controls power. This, of course, points out that a brake controlled system cannot apply full power while controlling slippage. In that respect the physics *is* different. Why you would want to supply full power when the wheels were spinning is a different question. I suppose you could be using your Prius at a tractor pull and want to impress the fans with flying mud.

Certainly. My comment about the Gen II cars is to avoid future confusion. These threads linger for a long time, and new users are often confused by the differences between the various generations.

Tom

 

By all reports the Gen III system works well.

The Gen II system works well too, but it's main priority is to protect the HSD, not help traction. If you have good tires and know how it works it is generally fine, but lacking either of those you can easily find yourself standing still facing uphill.

VSC on the Gen II is great. I assume likewise with the Gen III.

Tom

 

Re: How to disable stabilty/traction control

This is good to know. The 06 is preventative on a regular basis.

 

I have driven the 06 over 40 miles up and over 10K feet on 4wd steep slippery dirt roads in the Manti La Sal range in Utah. VERRY SLOWWWWWW. The System can be overcome in adverse conditions at ultra low creep speeds. Never has been a problem, just irritating at times.

 

And will the plug in be a superior car or just a great way to get to work if you live in the 13 mile range?

Also, will the plug in need bigger pads to compensate for more weight or will the weight increase not be significant?

Anyone planning on changing their own pads on their gen IIIs? I know it is a bit early...

 

Re: How to disable stabilty/traction control

How do I install the disabler switch for my 09 Prius traction control?

 

My Gen III 2010 prius did that today in snowy Ohio. Hopefully, snow tires will help!

 

Thank you for this very useful info! I just tried the Certification Mode and it works!
I almost got stuck in deep snow and my Prius on snow tires barely made it out. Not having Trac/VSC off button is plain dangerous. Those that think turning traction off will not help when stuck in snow are full of it. I've been in situations when turning traction off (my other car) was the only way to get moving. Unlike mud, there's pavement under snow/ice that the tires can plow down to... especially snow tires.

 

Perhaps where you live.

Tom

 

At least going between Reverse and Drive on a Prius is easy and safe (For rocking the car)

 

Which begs the question, "So What if you can reach asphalt?" The car just jumps out onto snow/ice again, and that is useless. Its better not to break the traction in the first place, or at least not to break the traction often.

 

If I pull the fuse for the ABS and TC, will there be warning lights and /or alarms on? Any adverse effects as long as I don't overrev the front wheels?

 

I live in the mountains east of Albuquerque. I have Continental ExtremeWinterContact studless winter tires.
Other than the one day when the snow was about a foot deep, I have driven in and out of my place nearly every day this winter. This includes up and down three 12-15% grades on gravel roads.

If you have the right tires and the snow is not over 4-5", I do not find any issues with driving the Prius in winter conditions, fresh snow or icey packed snow. - of course that assumes you understand how to drive on winter roads.

 

We have four good snows and I have 30 years of Winter driving experience. The car handles just fine in snow. The problem is iced parking spaces. With other cars it just takes a little wheelspin to get out of a space with ice under the tires. Not with the Prius. That would be too easy.

 

I was in the same position as you - however, I had to walk up my developement (about 1/2 mile) when my Prius wouldn't climb a hill with very little snow on it. I know it was the Prius (good tires btw) as a Camry (worn out tires btw) was going up and down at will! I was ready to trade that day!

LONG STORY SHORT:
I found out how to disable traction control. The next snowy day, I disabled TC and not only made the development, but even made by driveway which I didn't think possible.

Is there a danger of breaking driveline parts? Mabye.
Is it the only way to get my Prius up a steep hill in the snow? Yes.

Good luck!

-Brad

 

Once again, this is a Gen3 thread. Both you and the poster you responded to have Gen2s, which have different traction control.

 

Different, and inferior, I should add.

Tom