Newbie- fraid of snow and Ice.

VancouverIslandOwner(s). Welcome to PriusChat. I'm still reluctant to drive in the snow, but it's the tires. After all the time and money put into research, development, and advertising, it's a mystery to me why new cars are sold with such poor tires. If you plan on doing any significant winter travel, you should get good snow tires. If you're only driving in snow sometimes, and in rain much of the time (sound familiar?), then some good all-seasons should suffice. But note I said 'good', which would exclude the Integrity and the Turanza.

 

I've only done minimal driving in snow so far with this car (with no problems) so I defer to the previous responses re: tires. However perhaps this will be helpful in terms of driving in snow/ice in general - it is advice from AAA Midatlantic which I read in the Washington Post some years ago. Basically, you do three things when driving a car - accelerate, brake, steer. Only do one of those things at a time to reduce the risk of losing control in slippery conditions. Specifically, slow down before you turn, not during, and don't accelerate until you're done with the turn. Good luck!

 

With decent All Season tires I've had no problems in the snow. The Prius is not a truck, so the ground clearance is limited. You won't be able to wade through really deep stuff. Rocking it out is tricky too, but it can be done with aggressive use of the shifter knob. We get plenty of snow here, so I've had a good chance to test it over the last two winters.

Tom

 

How important is VSC to driving in snow and ice? My wife and I are looking to buy a used Prius for our second car. We live in Vermont and get plenty of the white stuff.

Being in a small area with a limited selection of used cars, finding a Prius with VSC has proven difficult! Should we hold out for one with VSC? Our Subaru does not have VSC and we have not had any trouble in the snow with it. Of course it seems made for life in the snow.

Thanks for any help.

Future owners

 

Personally, I wish my car had VSC. At the time, it was a $5,000 difference between packages, and I opted not to splurge. Next time.

 

VSC helped me today.

We received a coating of snow within a short period of time. I was entering a highway during the heaviest period. Everyone was driving slowly. I allowed a lot of distance between me and the next car, but the other car suddenly lost control and ping ponged between the barriers on both sides. I hit the brakes. I could tell the Prius wanted to move in a trajectory to the left, but the VSC kept it on track. Nice...

 

Thanks for the feedback. I will see if I can find one with VSC in our area. I recently found a nice one (14,000 miles) 2005 but alas no VSC!

Cheers
Jackalope

 

Several lightly populated northern areas permit studded tires. Get a set if Vancouver permits them. At least get 'em for the front, but if you can afford all 4, than you'll really be good to go. We've found that they give us at LEAST 25% better traction over 'snow tire' rated tires.

 

Now, see here Mr "On the lake next to the boat", I don't like what you're implying here. Vancouver is not "a lightly populated northern area." Unless, of course, you're from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

 

With studded tires, they are a must on icy and snowy roads. If I lived in Canada, I would for sure have a set of them in my garage. The downside, just be ready for a lot of road noise on clear roads.